PARLIAMENTARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2232, 8 November 1907, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. press Association. WELLINGTON, Nov. 7. Tho Council met at 2.30. The Scaffolding Inspection Act Amendment Bill was .put through Ml its stages, and tlio Land/Lavs Am emlment .Bill was .taken m commitU Mr. Riga delivered ia speech condemnatory of certain clauses of tlio Bill. Ho remarked that lie supposed new members would feel u ‘ lc * cl obligation to (the Government, very properly no doubt. The Government ■had not done all that was expected of it, and in consequence it was .losing support in .the country. . Messrs. Barr, Paul, and Callan resented Mr. Riga's reference to obligations lie supposed they weie unCl °Tho Attorney-General rebuked Mr. Rigg, find said liis speech was evidently intended to dicredit t’O Government, ami some further interchanges took place. Amendments to reduce the .term ol renewable leases, .prohibit tli© lessee from having the right to pay. 90 per cent., and .remove the cropping restrictions, were defeated. Ail attempt to strike out clause 2U, giving L.I.P. tenants the right to acquire the freehold, was defeated by 22 to 4. On the motion of the 'Minister, clause 55 wis .amended in the direction of extending the right of a pasturage lease or license holder to improve his run in following manner: —(a) To cultivate any portion of fws run for Hie .purposes of growing winter feed for stock depastured on the run; (b) to plough and sow in grass'any nortion of his run not exceeding 3000 acres; (c) to clear by felling and 'burning hush at scrub any portion of run and sow same in grass; (d) to surface sow in grass any portion of his run; any improvement made .under .this clause with exception of cultivation for purposes of water and feed shall he consideredin fixing amount of compensation payable to outgoing lessee. With' these and other technical and machinery .amendments the Dill was reported. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tho House met at' 2.30, In connection with the Meikle case tlio Premier said he had asked the Judges to draw up a Bill that would carry out the desires of the Commission, and (also to suggest the amount of -compensation. Legislation would therefore lie deferred to next session. Mr. Massey said that if the Government had shown tho same firmness on this measure as on other legislation the Bill, with which he sympathised, would have passed. The Premier said there were 28 members opposed to the original Bill, and it was incorrect to say the Government could have got it through. The Butter Export Bill-was referred to tlio Stock Committee. The House went into committee on the Agricultural Laborers’ Accommodation Bill. Mr. Millar moved a now sub-clause to provide that where laborers were employed by contractors the contractor shall provide accommodation for them in accordance with the Act.. The clause was agreed to on the voices. The Bill was read a third time and passed. The Railway Classification. Bill was read ?. first time. The Sea Fisheries Bill was taken in committee. Clause 2 provides that tlie Minister may emjiloy persons he considers necessary for the purpose of picking oysters from any oyster fishery in the North Island, and may also purchase or hire boats and implements. Mr. Massey moved to strike out the authority to hire. —Amendment rejected by 42 to 15. At sub-clause 2, which provides that the Minister may sell oysters either wholesale or retail, and may •acquire premises for the purpose, Mr. Herries urged that tlie Minister should confine the operations of tlie Bill to wholesale disposition. He moved an .amendment- to strike out “retail”- ill the provision. Tho amendment was negatived by 40 to 15. The clauses passed, and the Bill with amendments was ’reported. The Indictable Offences Summary Jurisdiction Act, giving justices the same powers as magistrates to commit for sentence, was reported.

The Public Service Classification Bill was brought down by 'Governor’s message and read a first time. On a motion to go into committee on the Flour and other Products Monopoly Prevention Bill, the Premier referred to the state of the markets rand th e objects of the Bill. The Commerce Committee had made provision in the Bill for a representative of 'the A. rand P. Societies on the Arbitration Court .to be formed, and he was agreeable. Air. Hogg contended that a combination liad been in existence since 1903 to limit the output of flour and ‘keep up its price. Tho debate was proceeding when the telegrai>li office closed.