PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1869, 26 September 1906, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

Wellington, last night. The Council mot at 2 30 p m. BUSTS OF PREMIERS. Hon. T. K, Macdonald moved that e bust of eaoh Premier' of the colony shc.uH be placed in a prominent position within tho walls of Parliament, and that it is desirable to exhibit at tho Inti relational Exhibition portraits, busts, and photos o‘ each of tho Premiers who have held (flic-' sines the introduction of responsible Government ia 1856. Tho object was to oduoate people to more complete know ledge of the political leaders of the colony. Hon. J. Rigg said that ho was abso lutoly astounded that a proposition should

bo mado involviog the oniony in tho cx pense of procuring lusts of our publ o meo. That should bo left for their admirers, Hon, F. Trask, while not objecting tj the motion, doub’.od if an appropriation would bo passed for giving effect to it The quostiou having been ra ; s-d the publio urgbt bo induced to tike tho matter up. Hod. 0. Louisson considered with Mr I Rigg that it was more a matter for the publio than for Parliament io take up. The Attorney-Genera! objected to the principle involved in the motion that everyone who has been Premier should have a bust erected simply breauso ho had been a Premier, On that g cund bo oeu'd I not soo his way to vote for tho motion, and sugg-stsd that the mayor should withdraw it, and bring It forward in solus Other form. Hon. H, Scotland failed to see that anybody would derive much benefit from tbe eree'iion of a bust. Hon. Kelly objected on several grounds, icoluding the cost, and he thought it ultra * vires of tho Oounoil to pass tbe resolu- ' tion. i

Hon. J. E. Jenkinson moved tha previous question, which, baiDg carried, closed the disonssion. MOTOR REGULATION. The Attorney-General moved the second reading of the Motor R-gulation Bill No. 2, which he explained was a consolidating measure, embodying tha provisions of the Bid recently before tha Council and the existing hw. The stcmd reading was agreed to, FIRE BRIGADES BILL, Oa a motion to go into Committee cn the Fire Brig ides Bill, Hoo. H. F. Wtgram moved that the Bill be referred to a Salem Committee.

The Attorney-General strongly opposed the amendment, on the ground that the measure would be so remodelled in Committee as to be uoaoeeptable in 'another place,” ood it might be sacrific.d.

After considerable discussion the amend men! was lost by 18 to 6, and the Bill committed.

At Ulause 2, “Interpretation,” Hon. J. E. JsDkinson moved an amendm°nt which would make the Bill apply to the whole colony. The amendment was negatived. The olause was passed, and progress reported, The Cjuaoil adjourned at 4.55.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

The House met at 2 30 p.m. FIRST READINGS.

The Sea Fisheries Bill, Greytown Gas Works Bill, aud Greytown Justices Empowering Bill were read a first time.

BREACH OF PRIVILEGE.

The Hon. T. Y. Dnnoan brought up a report of the Waste Land Committee, which was simply to the effect that the proceedings of the committee oontinue to be made public contrary to the standing orders,

The Premier thought the report ought to be referred back to the Committee for a suggestion. He explained that he bad not been able to make tbe proposal he had intended when this mitter was before tbe House the other day, but ha had understood that the Committee objected to tbe admission of the press to its proceedings. Mr Massey did not agree with the Premier, but thought the House ought to aot either by enforcing tbe Staodiog Orders or openiug the Committee to the press. The Premier thought the reporters might be allowed to Bee the minutes. Mr Hornsby suggested that a report be given by the Committee’s Secretary specially to the press. He greatly sympathised with journalists in their desire for information, and invariably applauded, iheir sucoess in getting the same. Mr Fraser was horrified at any member of the House preferring anything else ;o hie duty to the House and its traditions. As a member of the Committee be thought abe right course had been followed. He thought the House should do something to mark its condemnation cf tbe particular member who, every one was wc'l aware, was in tbe habit of giving this infoimation to the press. For his own part he cheerfully admitted that tho information hitherto given was quite correct, but as perrons who are capable of divulging secrets they are bound to conserve must also be oapable of distorting that information in transit, he thought the time must come, if they did not take bo icn, when they would have to dread and deplore the publication of incorrect inhumation.

The report was ordered to lie on the table.

STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE. On the motion of the Premier, this Committee was appointed. LOCAL AUTHORITIES SUBSIDIES BILL. On the motion of the Premier, this Bill was referred to a Select Committee. IMPREST SUPPLY. An Imprest Supply Bill for £691,503 oame down by Governor’s messßgf, and the Premier moved the House gointo Committee of Supply. Mr Massey was taken by surprise, and protested that notioe might have been given, and that Supply ought (o have been put at the top of the Order Paper. He took the opportunity to say that the electoral boundaries ought, in aooo: dance with the law, which is mandatory and im perative, to be delimited, even if there were no obonce cf a dissolution. Mr Herries complimented the Government on the production of all the papers which on former occasions were always refused. Ho orit’eieed the prices at whiob B ome conversions had been effected. The Premier, replying to Mr Massey, said ho had tried to convey notice of the imprest to the loader of the Op position, but had failed to find him. Replying to Mr Herries, ho explained that the prices were largely a matter of adjustment-' In one case the apparent loss was really a profit of 1J- per cent On the motion for the second reading Mr Massey ashed about the promise of the Minister of Public Works to have a coach service connecting the two sections of the Northern trunk lino in time for the Christchurch Exhibition. The Minister said the road would bo ready for that time, but it would be for private enterprise to supply coaches. Mr Massey protested that that was under the circumstances the province of the Government. In Committee there was a short discussion on various subjects. At the third reading stage the Premier replied, and the Bill was read a third time on the voices.

CIVIL SERVICE SUPERANNUATION BILL, On the motion of the Hon Premier the Bill was read a second time pro forma, and referred to tho Public Accounts Com*, mittee, NATIONAL ANNUITIES BILL. The same course was followed with this Bill, after the Premier had explained that evidence would bo taken and every opportunity given to the iricndly societies to consider the details of the measure. MAORI LANDS. Tho Maori Land Claims Adjustment and Lands Amendment Bill was considered, read a third time, and passed.

LANDLESS NATIVE BILL. This Bill was passed through Committee*

ADVANCES TO SETTLE US. I Tho Government Advance to Settlors I Bill was committed and 27 clauses past'd, I with two important amendments. I The House adjourned for dinner at I 5.30 p m. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7 80. Progress was made with the Governintent Advances to Settlers Itill in Committee. There was considerable discussion I over the legal charges (clause 28 no change was made. Clause -IS was, I after discussion of the audit machinery, amended by a few formal words. In clause 2, after the remaining I

I clauses had been passed unaltered. Mr Massey moved the following I now clause: “When a loan is required for the erection of buildings on urban or suburban lands which is not subject to any other onemnhrantfo than a sum not exceeding £-100 on the whole or four fifths of the value of tho land may at the discretion of the Board he advanced by instalments as the erection of the buildings proceeds." Mr Massey explained that the elauso was desired to assist the erection of work

I men’s homes. I Tho Premier said ho could not accept I tiie new clause, as the legislature had j provided already for workers’ homes and on terms which were better, and such las could not be worked to advantage with the clause proposed. Ho was not prepared (after hearing an appeal from Mr Aitken) to accept the destruction of a system that has worked well, hut he would he prepared (perhaps during the present session) to ask for separate legisla tion for the benefit of the town worker. Still he could not permit tho welfare of the country settlers to he jeopardised. He thought moreover, that the Government had done a great deal for the town worker.

Mr Fi-hor wa3 glad tho Leader of tho Opposition had moved his new clause, beo iuse is had produced a definite promise from the Trims Minister, whioh they had just hoard, to do something for tho town worker?, whose oasa was one urgently requiring assistance.

Mr Massey repudiated any implication of ignoring the value of the Aot whioh had done so muoh for the small settlers. He recognised that value thoroughly, and always had. What he wanted was fo get the system whioh benefited tho oountry settler extended to tho settlers of the

towns. He proceeded to say that he thoroughly supported the Work-rs’ Homes Aot. He aoceptad tho principle. He ocu'd not say how mtioh money it was going to oust the oountry, and ooull not say indeed if it was going to be a suooess. Mr Tanner said that it only required common-sense—a thing they had never had yet. Mr Massey, continuing, said he thought that 100 houses nnder his soheme might be erected at 1130,000. That number would perhaps be as many as would be applied for in any one year. The Premier denied that 100 houses would assist in the solution of the problem. That number would not be of any use in the case alone of the Wellington workers, whose hard case had been eo feelingly described by Mr Fisher and Mr Aitken. The House had far better leave well alc-ns. Mr Herries denied that the addition of

the proposed clause to this Bill would prejudioe tho working of the Workmen’s Homes Aot in any way. He thought that

if the demand lasted that had been referred to, the more they could do for it, and the sooner they added this clause to tho Bill, tbe better. Mr Massey could not see that there would bo any other obanoo during tbe presont session, and ho would press the clause.

A I tog discussion ensued, which gradually ventilated the whole subject of the

advances polloy, and the opinion was freely expressed that the four fifths margin proposed was financially unsound. Mr Massey urged that he was oatering for interests hitherto neglected, and be wanted to secure progress payments now impossible. He would show the workers who were their friends. ■The Premier informed tha House that the Act provided a three-fifths margin for all lands under a system whioh had found lasi year 18 000,000, and which permitted progress payments, He ridicule! Mr Massey's idea that 100 houses on terms no better at 4130,000 a year could be a proper substitute. He had offered a broader and letter system, one separate from the one under the Bill, whioh had lent out over four millions of money. He stood by that offer, Af:or further discussion tho new clause was defeated by 48 So 13, aud the schedules were passed unaltered.

TOURIBT3 AND HEALTH BESORTS, The Tourists and Health Resorts Cut trol Bill was taken in Oommittso,

Me Misaoy thought tbs pressing of this measure violated tbs agreement as to eupper ndj jurument. Toe Premier considered it reasonable fo go on, as there was no contentious matttr in the Bill, which could go through in ten minutes.

Mr Massey moved to report progress—ayes 17, noes 46. Mr Massey, after five Glauses had passed, raised a point of order, The Bill appropriated moneys, It had not been introdueed by Governor’s message, and he must ask the Chairman to rule that tho Bill be discharged from the order-paper, The Chairman, after hearing the Premier, deoidsd that the Bdl could not be piooeeded with Progress was reported, the Bill reported, and the House adjourned at 11 85,