PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2275, 21 August 1908, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

AFTERNOON SITTING

[Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, August 20. ( Tlie Legislative Council mot at 2.30 p.m. Tho Attornoy-General said that the Government had no intention of introducing tlie cheque system, as existing in Victoria, in respect to tho Post Office Savings Bank withdrawals. A motion that a rot urn of tho amounts pajd by private individuals for the rent of public offices bo tabled was lost. Hon. J. Barr’s motion, that the Government devise means whereby tho heavy cost of living borne by married workers as compared with single men may lie lessened, was interrupted by the four o’clock rule. Tho Council decided to insist on its amendments to tho Incorporated &ocieties Bill, with which tho House disagreed. The Council adjourned at 4.10 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Tho following Bills were introduced and read a first time: Alurcliison County (Air. It. McKenffie), and tho Otago Heads Native Reserve Road (Air. E. G. Allen). The Wetspor.t Harbor Board Loan Bill (Air Colvin) was read a third time and passed. The Prime Minister stated that tho financial position of the Board was highly satisfactorily. The Christchurch City Sanitation Empowering Bill (Mr. Gray) was read a third time and nassed.

The Oaniaru Town tlall, Gasworks Sites, Recreation Reserve (Hon. T. Y. Duncan), Oaniaru Harbor Board Loan (Hon. T. Y. Duncan), the Christchurch City Betterment (Air. Gray) Bills were put through the committee stages. . , The latter Bill gave rise to a protracted discussion upon tlio extent of the powers which municipal corporations should possess to take land for street widening, and otl/er purposes. Eventually, by the retention of the new provision added to section. B of the Bill by the Local Bills Committee, the principle was affirmed that such powers should ho confined to cases where the owjier’s consent was given. The Bill was reported with amendments.

The Oaniaru Reserves Bill was read a third time and passed. Tho House adjourned at 5.30 p.m.

EVENING SITTING. The'House in the evening went- into Committee of Supply. On the vote for printing and stationery-, £46,270, complaints were made against printing tlio rolls in Wellington. Hon. AV. Hall-Jones defended the sy-stem as being of advantage. Soino members suggested a return to the old system of striking the names off of those who did not vote at election time. That was the best means of purging the roll. Hon. W. Hall-Jones thought jiuch criticism should lie urged when tho electoral vote was under discussion. Tho vote was passed unaltered. Stamps and deeds, £38,391, passed without distussion.

Native Department. £28,222. —Air. A. S. Alaleolm moved to reduce the vote by- £1 as a protest that sufficient information had not been given to the House concerning tho Department.

Hon. J. Carroll quoted statistics to show wliat a large amount. < l work the Native Land Court had done. >

Air. T. Parata thought the Native Land Court Bench should be strengthened to expedite business. Air. W. Herries thought tlie status of Native 'Land Court Judges ought to he raised.

Air. A'. T. Ngata though the status of Judges should be raised, and the number of^ judges should be increased to expedite tho groat- pressure of busi-nesss-waiting the Court’s attention. Better' a'ccommodation was required generally, and he thought the salaries and allowances of Judges ought to he considerably increased. Air. F. E. Baunie thought an effort should be made to expedite the business of the Court.

Air. C. H. Poole thought that lands should be thrown open as soon as possible.

Hon. J. Carroll said he would submit- proposals for an increase of salaries. The Supremo Court system would not be sUitablo to copy. Last year the Court settled 14,470 cases, anil earned £14.515 6s in fees. Judges had never been influenced by the Department. Ho was disposed to abolish the present appellate system, which was cumbersome, allowed appeals on trivial grounds, and wasted time. Air. Carroll said ho intended to transfer to presidents of Native Land Boards some of tho work at present devolving upon tho Court in order to lighten the latter’s labours. Provision would bo made in the Public AVorks Estimates to the extent of £28,000 for survey, and by January 1J million acres would be available for settlement.

Alessrs Ngata and Parata urged that subsidies were necessary to enable Alaori Councils to attend to all their duties projierly. Hon. J. Carroll expressed liis appreciation of the Work done by tho Councils.