THE HOUSE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2526, 29 July 1915, Page 7

THE HOUSE

' The House of Representatives met at 2.30 n.ni.

Mr. L. 11. ISITT _ (Christchurch North) presented a petition from James Gibb and others asking that inquiry bo niade into tlie spread of certain diseases in the Cook Group. Mr. Isitt suggested that owing to. the distance of the islands and the slowness and irregularity of communication it would he impossible for a Parliamentary Committee to conduct a proper inquiry during the session, and lie would ask therefore that the committee to be set up shouKl he given authority to continue their inquiries during the next recess, and to report to Parliament next session. The Right, Hon. W. F. MASSEY (Prime Minister) said he recognised tho importance of the subject, and if it was at all possible, to comply wj.th Mr. Isitt's request he would be glad to do so. ' Silt JOSEPH WART) (Awarua) gave notice of tho Bluff Harbour Improvement Bill. • " FIRST READINCS. The Auckland City Markets and Empowering Bill (Mr. C. J. Parr), tho Wellington City Empowering Act, 1908, Amendment Bill (Mr. 11. A. Wright), the Local Elections (Proportional Representation) Amendment Bill (Mr. M'Combs), the Wellington City Basin Reserve Bill (Mr. R. A. Wright); and the Mangawhero County Bill (Mr. R. W. Smith) were introduced and read a first time. THE ELECTORAL" ACT. Replying to a question, The Right Hon. W. F. MASSEY (Minister in. Charge of the Electoral Department) said .that his experience of the electoral law had convinced him that it was far from complete. Unfortunately somo of the rolls were not "clean," and thousands of names were enrolled which, should not bo. Unless a, general election were forced upon the country suddenly, > lie intended to introduce an Electoral Bill, but ho would not bring it down during the present session. DAYLIGHT SAVING BILL. On tho motion that the Definition of Time (Daylight Saving) Bill should bo read a third time, there was considerable opposition voiced, and arguments brought against the Bill in Committee were reiterated. After nearly two hours' debate, Mr. T. K. SIDEY (Duncdin South) replied to the oriticisms levelled against his Bill. A was called on the third reading motion. The voting was: Ayes, 42 ; Noes, 30. Tho Bill was read a third time, amidst applause, and passed. THE BETTERMENT BILL. Mr. R. M'CALLUM (Wairau) moved tho second reading of the Betterment Bill, which, ho said, he did not propose to ask tho House to advance beyond tho second reading. The House had already on two occasions road tho Bill a second time unanimously, hut the Government had never taken the Bill lip, and it could not become law unless introduced, by Governor's Message. Tho Hon. AV. H. HERRIES (Minister of Railways) said that the lion, member had not given much explanation of the Bill, and had not enlightened new members of its proposals. The Bill was drawn when land was held in very largo areas. Thcro were certain cases where the betterment principles might be applied, not only in regard to railways, but to other public works. It seemed to him that if the hon. gentleman brought, tho Bill down next session lie might make alterations. Mr.' R, A. WRIGHT (Wellington Suburbs) supported tho principle of tho Bill, which was to provide that lands benefited by railways should pay half the added valuo on the land back to tho State/ Ho expressed regret that tho member for Wairau could not carry tho Bill beyond tho second reading. Mr. 'C. A. WILKINSON (Epimont) opposed tho Bill, and said that it was r.athor lato to impose it on New Zealand. Tho groat bulk of the railways to bo built now would go over land that was fully settled, and the settlers had paid tho full value for such land. _ Mr. J. G. COATES (Ivaipara) said that tho Bill was impracticable. If the system of betterment camo in now it would bo unfair to the districts that were entitled to railways. Ho referred particularly to the East Coast and the North of Auckland. Mr. A. H. HINDMARSH (Wellington South) said that if they put off proposals liko this because it was not done in tho past, what would become of town-planning P . Mr. Wilkinson; .Would you agros that

tlio towns should pay as well as tho

Mr. Hindmarsh: Yes, certainly., Mr. .Wilkinson: Well, it's not in this Bill. Mr. C. J. PARE (Eden) supported tho principle of betterment. It was not unknown ii; gonip municipalities, imd he would liko to sed it extended. Ho thought tlio New South AVales Government had already brought in an Act similar to that proposal, and tlio Government took fifteen miles 011 each side of tlio railway as tlio , area, for special taxation, 'if the proposal was carried out logically he saw 110 reason why a man should' not pay something when a now road had enhanced tlio valiio of his property. He thought the matter was worthy of the serious consideration of this, or any, Legislature. Tho burden of fifty per cent., however, ho thought should bo modified. The Hon. W. PHASER (Minister of Public Works) said that those districts without railways had helped to pay taxes for railways in other parts. Now it was not fair to say that tliey should pay another special tax when they had a diance of securing a railway. Tho motion for tlio secoud reading was agreod to. FACTORIES ACT AMENDMENT, The Factories Act Amendment Bill (Mr. T. M. Wilford) was read a. second time and referred to .the Labour. Bills Oommittee. Tho Hou.se rose at 0.20 a.m. till 2.30 p.m. to-day.