PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2257, 31 July 1908, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. AFTERNOON BITTING. . [Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 30. Th lIOU6O met at 2.30 p.m. Tho Minister for Lands lald . ol \.) table papers relating to “rtnui Jan transactions 111 tho 01 L V 1 +[ lo ton between the Government'and th<i City Council and from AUssis ivei nedv MacDonald aiul Co. 1 .1 Mr F. M- B. Fisher, who had called for tho papers, said tho transaction revealed tho fact that tho Government had been hoodw.n ed, am had unwittingly committed a »‘«! « 1 of the Land Act. in . selling Giow n lands to private iiKliVillmvls W .out competition. Alovooioi, in ie„aiu the exchange of laud, the Government, lie said, had been raided as |j tho nature of tho oxclinugc, a id lmd been led to sell the hind at £K>9 l>" perch to Air. Alacdonalcl, who refused £420 per porch for tho sameAir. 1 TV. F. Massey said that it the facts were as stated, evidence of cr-i----miiKil negligence was am' sliadv transactions had taken puuo. and there should be a lull enquiry by 11 Th? Premier said that the Government courted the lullest- miquu.'’' according to tlieir rights. M fiat, mui boon done was right and honorabk. Ho suggested tlio matter should referred to the Lands Committee, which should commence an. Giiquuj to-morrow and report as quickly ns IW> Hou 1 R. McNab moved in this direction', aiul the motion was carried. The second reading of the• AA cstpoi t Harbor Board Loan Bill (Air. Colvin) ,V Tlie S Christchiii'cli City Sanitation Bill (Air. C. AI. Gray) was road a S °Mr d H U 'g. Ell moved the second rending of tho Town Districts Act Amendment Bill, to make the qualifications of electors similar to thoso under tho Municipal Corporations Act, 1900, and also to make tho conduct of elections come under tlio provisions of the Local Government Act, 1904. Tho second reading was agreed tC Tho Local .Elections Act, Amendment Bill (Sir W. J. Steward) and the Lamps on Vehicles Bill (Air. C.E. Alajor) were read a second timo withAir. C. H. Izard’s Public AAoiks Act Amendment Bill, to enable local authorities, under certain conditions, to take land compulsorily for the purposes of making roads and streets, was road a second time. Tho second reading of tho Companies Act Amendment Bill (Air H. U. Ell) was road and referred to the Public Accounts Committee. Mr. J. AL Hornsby moved the second reading of the Quackeries Prevention Bill. . , Tho dinner adjournment interrupted the debate. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. . Air. J. AI. Hornsby continued his remarks upon the second reading of tho Quackeries Prevention Bill, laying great stress upon tho injury done by Fhe unrestricted sale of quack nostrums. The object of the Bill was solely to checkmate this and prevent tho sale of noxious appliances or worthless and harmful drugs, the latter of which cost- scores of infant lives. , Dr. Chappie, speaking from a medical standpoint, strongly supported the Bill, and spoke strenuously of the pernicious effect of quack drugs and advertisements.

Tho Bill was read a second time on the voices. Air. G,- Laurenson moved the second reading of the Licensing Polls Absolute Alajority Bill, contending that as the absolute majority ruled all other elections it should do so in a licensing poll. Although opinion was 3trong in favor of no-license, it had only been carried in six electorates. Air. D. Rutherford opposed the Bill on the ground of the. expense imposed on licensees to provide accommodation asked for by the committees. , , HOll. R. AfcNab opposed the Bill on the ground of the turmoil and unrest that would be occasioned in constituencies by the bare majority. He said that in" the future it would be the trade party which would ask for tho hare majority as tlio only chance of getting back licenses. Air. James Allan onposed tlio Bill on the ground of tho- unrest that would he occasioned by it. The law would not be effective under the bare majority. Dr. Chappie vigorously opposed tlio Bill, and said that rule by a bare majority was tyrannical and not democratic. Stability was essential to make the law effective. A three-fifths majority was indispensable in the, interests of temperance. Air. C. Hall thought that they must guard against confiscation of property as the result of a catch vote. Air. A. S. Atalcolm supported the Bill in a strong no-license speech. Air. J. AI. Hornsby said that the no-licenso party were committing a tactical blunder. Air. F. AL B. Fisher stronglv opposed the Bill as 0 tactical blunder and likely to cause ceaseless unrest. The progress of no-license had been satisfactory. He was earnestly opposed to tho liquor traffic, but tlio present measure would not further the cause. The Prime Aliuistor said it was obvious that a License Bill would engender interminable discussion, 'judging by this debate. There was no time in the last session of a Parliament to deal with the liquor question. On tliis particular question a large majority of tho members had pledged themselves to support the present law and it would be a retrogrado step for a matter of this kind to bo dealt with by a private Bill.