PARLIAMENTARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2183, 12 September 1907, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

_ Press Association. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. GENERAL. pji. . Kmuowering Bill. Borough < Plymouth Electric l-ifSht Bonn and Waterworks Loan Bill woio it. ported iron! committee. Leave of absence was granted to Messrs Marshall and George on account of illness. The Council rose at o l'.ni. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. •*' THE TARIFF. After midnight on Tuesday Sir W. 3. Steward's amendment was uegativby 42 to 22. . , * Mr. Arnold moved ail amendment to exempt cast-iron pipes 3 foot and upwards in diameter for sewage purposes from the 20 per cent. list. 1 Negitived by 44 to 20. At maohinory, not otherwise enumerated 20 per cent., Mr. A. L. Fraser snjfc this included all machinery used in making gas. He moved it be reduced to 10 per cent. Mr. Miller said he would put gas meters on the freo list. The amendment was negatived on tho voices, progress was reported and tho House adjourned at 1 a.m. The House met at 2.30 p.m. GAS COMPANY BILL. The Dunedin Suburban Gas Company Empowering Bill was rend a third time and passed. QUESTIONS '*■ ip reply to questions Ministers stated that a short- Bill amending the Government Advances to Settlers Act has been prepared which will help to obviate any unavoidable delay in advancing cash for authorised loans; that no bank in New Zealand is under tho Companies Act and therefore cannot bo compelled without legislation to disclose for the information of the public the names of the shareholders—the Government do not propose to introduce banking legislation this session ; that the question ot amending the Advances to Workers Act to enable lessees of land held under mining title to obtain advances for purposes of erecting residences is under consideration ; that steps will bo taken to obtain all available information on the subject of oiling roads ; that there is Ho indication at present that Mr. Dinnie has any intention of relinquishing his position as Commissioner of Police, and until there is some likelihood of a vacancy occurring it does 1 not appear necessary to consider the question of appointing a successor; 1 that the Public Works Department will be classified in common with all other departments of the service that have not yet been dealt with in any 1 general scheme of classification that 1 may be decided upon : that the question as to reform m the hospital and ( —charitable aid system is receiving the ; consideration of the Government and 1 it is hoped a new Hospitals and ! Charitable Institutions Bill will be j introduced next session. J LAND TAX BILL. The Land and Income Assessment Bill was reported from the Public Accounts Committee. In reply to Mr. Massey the Premier stated that as soon as the Tariff Bill was put through tho Land and Income Tax Assessment Bill would be proceeded with, to be followed Jry the Land'Bill, Endowment Bill and Native Land Bill. i THE TARIFF. c The House went into committee on 1 the Tariff Bill. c HARDWOOD TIMBERS. ! Mr. Mander urged that the duty 1 should be taken off ironbark and ' bridge timber, ‘ Mr. Ell said a lot of timber for use ~ 'todn bridges and pile work had to be imported as the colony did not produce it and he hoped the Minister would be able to see his way to take the duty off this class of timber for use as beams, piles, etc. Totara was getting exceedingly scarce, yet it was being used for telegraph posts and piles. He contended that totara, which was exceedingly brittle, was not suitable for telegraph poles, hut ] was admirably adapted for use inside s houses, particularly for window sashes i Ho maintained that it was a national ; Wastejto use totara for piles and tele- I graph poles. Mr. Jennings was opposed to admitting ironbark and jarrah free. ' Mr. Millar. said the Commonwealth . was closing its doors to everything ■ from New Zealand and he failed to I see why timber from Australia should be admitted free to compete with ' hundreds of workers in the timber industry of New Zealand. Mr. Buddo said it would be a suicidal policy to take the duty off Australian hardwoods at the present time. Mr. Barber said there was something wrong when jarrah timber, paying a duty of 2s per 100 ft, could be landed in "Wellington cheaper than totara and other New Zealand timbers. The Premier said there were thousands of men earning a living as timber procurers,. and if Australian timber were admitted free it would seriously interfere with these workmen, and would tend to the stagnation of the labor market. We were anxious to see a neighborly and brotherly feeling existing between Australia and New Zealand. Until we knew of what the Federal tariff would ultimately qonsist we could not discuss any reciprocal treaty with Australia, and it would not be fair to our timbergetters and timber millers to throw the door open to a country which was levying iiigh protective duties against Other emmtries. • The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. THE FLOUR DUTY. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. At grain and pulse, every kind when "round or in any way manufactured, n.0.e., including wheat aind flour, the Premier nindo a lengthy Statement re the Hour duty. The matter was fully discussed and was still bei')".-dealt with when the telegraph office closed at midnight.

ORDER OF BUSINESS. (Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, September 11. AVhen the Land Assess ment Bill was reported from the Piihlir* Accounts Committee to-ct OmLeadeTof the Opposition asked the Government when it v> as pTop had*bera ESS “Then we’ll go home.”)