PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1917, 29 October 1906, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

PRESS ASSOCIATION

Wellington, Saturday.

Tho Public Works estimates woro discussed at some length and passed without alteration, tho House rising at 1.50 until this morning. Tho l’romier intimntod that he hoped to bring tho session to a closo in tho evening.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Tho Oounoil resumed at 2.80 p in. On tho Legislative Officers Salaries Bill, tho Hon T. Kelly moved a resolution, regretting that Government in dealing with-tho salaries of tho Speaker and Chairman of Committees of the House of Representatives, by permanent appropriation act, did not also include the salaries of Speaker and Chairman of Committees of tho Legislative Council, and that while the Council was of opinion that the Bill should be laid aside, it would net take this extreme step, but would rather urge on tho Government by way of recommendation that the salaries should be tho samo He thought this was tho best way of dealing with the matter at this poriod of tho session, and ho hoped tho resolution would have the desired etleet. Tho Attorney-Goneral stated that he

had consulted Government as promised, and tried to got a sum placed on the supplementary- • estimates, but ho was informed such a proposal would not have the slightest chance of being carried in another place. Ho was authorised to say, however, that next year Government would favourably consider tho question of introducing a Bill to increase tho salaries of the Speaker and Chairman of Committees of tho Council. He would uot say that tho salaries would be tho same in both Houses. In regard to tho resolution of the Hon. Mr Kelly, ho was in a rather invidious position. It retlectcd on tho Government, and nothing would be gained by it. After a long discussion, in which hou. members talked about the dignity of tho Council, Mr Kelly agreed to withdraw his resolution in order that the Bill might proceed. The Bill was then put through committee and passed. The Council agreed to amendments made bv the House of Representatives in

the Municipal Corporations Bill ancl the measure was passed. The Factories Act Amendment Bill was put through its final stages and passed. At 5 p.m the Council adjourned until 7.30 p.m, The Council resumed at 7.30 p m The Deserves and Other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act were read a second time, put through committee, and passed. The Public Health Act Amendment Bill, Native Land Claims Adjustment Bill and the Tourist and Health .Resorts Bill, were finally passed. Tho Moari Lands Settlement Act Amendment Bill was also put through all its stages and passed. The Eltham County Bill, after a short debate was passed through all its stages. The Otago Presbyterian Church Board Property Trustees Bill was put through the Local Bills Committee, and the debate on the Public Works Bill was adjourned, on the motion of Mr Jenkinson until Monday. The Council rose at 11.45 p.m until 10.80 on Monday.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House resumed at 2.30. PUBLIC WORKS BILL. The Public Works Act Amendment Bill was committed. Clausa 3 was amended by striking out the words 11 or otherwise ” in subseotion la, thereby applying the provision to the building line alone. Clause 4, aboliahiog the compensation of olause 117 of the principal Act, eubseotion 3, was retained by 33 to 32. It was urged that tbo House, in trying to suppress the speculator, had been unjust to innccent people. The Minister proposed an addition to the olause exempting arees up to 10 acres. The Chairman ruled that olause 5 being before the House, tbe addition would bo oat of order. Recommittal was suggested, bat the enemies of the clauie declined that method as precarious The Minister also admitted that he had coma to see the force of tho contentions of tbe olher aide. He suggested a unanimous vote for reconsidering the clauses, but he was met by refusal. Mr Herries moved to report progress.

The Minister suggested a now clause, Accepting areas up to five acre?, but could not get a nunnim-us vote. The Mi'iiater agreed m report prog >as, and progress w-s r*-port«d. DISPOSAL OF RESERVES. The B- serves and O ber Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Bill was committed and passed unaltered. ' PDBLIO HEALTH. The Public Health Bill was committed’ and every clause but olause 6 cut out’ Clause 6 enables two boards to oombine for sanatorium for consumption purposes.

THIRD READINGS. Tbe Public Health, Testators Family Maintenance, Statute Law Amendment, Reserves and other Lands, etc,, were read a third time. OTHER BILLS. Government Advances to Workers Bill. A message was received from the Counoil that the Council does nos insist on its amendments. Town Districts Act.—The Council s ©grcemenl to the House’s amendments -was received, Stamp Act.—The Council’s agreement was received. _ . , Tourist and Health Resorts Control Bill._Tbe reasons of the managers were agreed to. The Separate Endowed Schools Bill was lead a first time. Tourist and Health Reeorts Bill. Xne (Council's agreement was received. Factories Act Amendment. —Reoeived

(from tbe Council with verba! amendments, <wbioh were agreed to. Maori Land Settlement Act Ame ndment Bill,—Read a second time. MAORI LAND SETTLEMENT BILL. This Bill was committed. Clouses struck out, 3 to 11,7 (a), 7 (’) 7 (?). 14 and 117. New clause, 12, was amended ■by striking out '‘other land owned by Maoris.” Oleuto 16 (a) was confined to moneys heretofore paid. Clause i 6 (b) was passed with verbal amendmen*. Sub•clauso A wee struck out ; olauses B and O were Biruck out. A new olause by Mr A.L. D. Fraser was added 10 the Bill exempting certain natives from the scope of ngulations meant only for ignorant persons. The House resumed at 7,80 p.m, ‘The Publio Woiks Act Amendment Bill waa further considered in committee. Dieeußcion ensued as to the ccmptomise promised. Olause 4 was umonded so os ■to strike out the word “ thereon ” at tbe ord of the clause, and add the following words after the weyd three : " And in lieu of such eub-seotion thereby enacted that 4be ownor of the lands so dedicated shall be entitled to compensation by fbo local authority having contiol of the road or street, and in assessing euch compensation tbe Compensation Court constituted for that purpose shall take into considerafion the circumstances of the whole subdivision, the necessity for or advantage of affording greater street epaoe, the better-

ment accruing to tbo whole property, and ,«uoh beitermonts shall bo u set off ageiast ■tbe compensation.” Discussion arose as to the adequacy m ■danse 0 of the provision for drainage made in consequence of clause 5, chiefly bv raising the levels of lakes, streams, etc , and constructing tunnels, aqueducts, flumes, erecting poles, and carrying wires Mr Massey said there was no end to the .damage that might he done Ho thought .the Crown should he placed m the same position as private individuals who can be sued The clause was passed as follows. •“ Where any property pf any person is at any time damaged by or through the .exercise of any power conferred by paragraph (b) of the last preceding section oi issued for any purpose mentioned m paragraph (c) of the same section, he shall be .gutitlcd toto be aacemmet

in the muner presented by part .’> of the principal Aet Clause 7 was ameiiileil so as lo apply compensation to damage by works uiulei clause 5. Clause i) (water right under Mining Ael) was struck out. A new clause was added, confining the operation of clause 3 of the Act ol I SUM In streets and roads used or dedieated previous to 1000. The Bill was reported in the House. OTHER BILLS. The Maori Lauds Settlement Bill, and Public Works Amendment Bill were passed through the remaining stages. The Eltham County Bill was passed with amendments through committee, and put through all stages. The Otago Presbyterian Church Board of Property Bill was read a second time, and put. through till stages. The Alaori Land Claims Adjustment Bill was received by Governor’s message with amendments, which were agreed to.