PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2294, 12 September 1908, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

AFTERNOON SITTING,

[Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, Spt.' 11. The Council mot at 2.30 p.in. Tho Attorney-General, in moving tiie- second reading of tho- Second Bal!yt Bill, received from tho House, .said that tho measure was based on tho German system, which had existed for forty years, and tho Germans showed no desire to change the sys-' tom. The absolute majority system had been tried in Queensland, but was found unsatisfactory 7. If it had proved otherwise tlio Government would have submitted an Absolute Majority Bill in preference to. the, second ballot. Ho deprecated the criticisms of tiie press on the so-called gag clause, and defended tho clauses in the interests of the candidates.

Hon. S. T. George said that he would -support the Bill, but advocated u system of voting by post. , Hon. J. T. Paul, in opposing the Bill, said that the German electoral system was a flagrant disgrace to an educated and democratic country, ■ ii nd a by-word and a reproach as an e 1 ec tor a 1 "system _; ...Mr. Paul paid' ju tribute to the press of ! New Zealand, and adversely criticised the press of Victoria. Hons. J. A. McCardle and J. Barr

supported the Bill, the latter remarking that- certain'modifications were necessary.' ,

The Council adjourned at 5 p.m until 7.30 p.in.

EVENING SITTING,

The Council resumed at 7.30 p.m. Hons. J. Rigg, R. A. Louglman, W. C. F. Carncross, T. K. Macdonald and O. M. Luke stated they would support the Bill, but were opposed to the “gag” clause a- . Hon. J. E. Jenldnson said he intended, to vote against the Bill.' ■ Hon. W. Beolian defended tho “gag” clause. Hon. G. Jones generally supported the Bill. •

Tho Attorney-General, in reply, defended the “gag” clause, which ho likened to a jury sent back to reconsider a verdict. He added that it was no abuse of the cardinal principles of our liberty to impose silence on the press during the jury’s (electors) deliberations.

The second reading was carried on the voices, and the Bill was set down for committal oil Tuesday. The Council adjourned at 10.30 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

AFTERNOON SITTING

The House met at 2.30 p.m.

Mr. 11. G. Ell drew attention to the slaughter of pigeons at Ohakune by so-called sportsmen, and expressed the opinion that the Government ought to take some steps to prevent the wholesale destruction of native birds.

A general discussion ensued, in which half-a-dozen members urged that native birds ought- to be protected by statute, and two or three deprecated the panic as unwarranted. Tho regulations for the inspection of dairies under the Dairy Inspection Act were laid on the table, and were referred to the Stock Committee'.' •'

Sir Joseph Ward gave notice that on and after Monday, 21st inst., the House would sit- on Monday, at 7.30 p.m. The Premier stated that tlio Public Works Statement would be brought down on Tuesday week or on the following day. He would make a statement regarding the business the Government proposed to go oil with during tho remainder of the session. The report .of the Labor Bills Committee on the Industrial Arbitration Bill was laid on the table. Hon. J. A. Millar said that the debate would be taken early next week.' The Premier moved the second reading of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Purchase Bill, and gave a sketch of the history of its inception and construction. In accordance with the terms of the agreement, notice was given by the Government- to : the company'of its intention to acquire the line, and the nurchase was amicably agreed upon without arbitral tion. After discussion is was finally agreed that the purchase price should be £900,000, and £IO,OOO for stores, and in consideration of the company giving up possession of the line on the 7tli of December next instead of holding till the 28th of February as they were entitled to do, a sum of £15,000 should be paid out of the earnings of the line until that period. The total purchase price was therefore £925,000 or thereabouts. It was arranged that £500,000 should be paid to the company at the end of last month, the company to pay interest ou this amount at the rate of 4 per cent until December 7th, and that the remainder be paid on February 28th, the Government to pay interest at the rate of 4 per cent oil that- sum from December 7th.

The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m.

EVENING SITTING.

The Hou6© resumed at 7.30 p.m. Sir Joseph Ward, continuing, said that tlie line was being taken over on better terms than would have been the case in 1901-2. He paid a tribute to those who had conducted the transactions for the company, and said the Government now possessed a lino linking up the most progressive developing lines of the North Island. Air W. F. Massey congratulated the Government upon the result of the negotiations. There was little for him or anyone to say regarding the negotiations beyond congratulating all concerned upon tlie completion of a transaction of great importance to the country. The urico was satisfactory. He, however, thought that, as a . matter of principle, arbitration should have been resorted to. Mr James Allen said that the line would have been acquired more advantageously on the company’s terms; in 1901 than was the case now. The assets then included a quantity of freehold land, which was not now included. Also, it seemed to him that the country was paving £15,000 to the company prmcipallv because it would not go to arbitration. Air. W. Herries agreed that tho Government had made a very fairbargain.

Sir Joseph Ward, replying to criticisms, said there was no such thing as goodwill with this railway, and tho law specifically declared that no goodwill should be paid for. Equitable lights ot the employees of the compruiy were fully safeguarded under tlie Bui, but ho was not prepared to say that every employee would remain m tlie same position as at present. Ho reiteiated that less had been paid for this railway than any other similar line. The Government had done well tor tlie country, and had treated the company well. He was glad arbitration had been avoided for the sake of tho country and on the score of tho expense. The Bill was read a second time on the voices.

Hon. B AleXab moved th e -second reading o.i the Public Bodies Leases lull, making general provision as to the leasing powers of local, and other public authorities so, as to avoid mukmg special provisions in every Act winch establishes such an autho-

l)roved nV+if ‘ tasse A‘ generally ap~ ti n- ii "leasure. Till! \ . wa , s read a second time. linivirtW? ncu^Uj'a l Produce Sale and I poitatiou Bill was read a third k* ail *l passed. The Inspection of Alachinery Bill was committed.