PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2311, 2 October 1908, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

WEDNESDAY EVENING’S SITTING. [Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Oct. 1. In tho House, after midnight, the Premier, replying, quoted figures showing tho operation of both branches of tho Department, and said those should bo an answer to those who complained. As for borrowing, two aildt'a half times as much was raised outside as inside the colony by the Government. Tho Bill was read a second time. Hon. J. A. Millar moved the second reading of tho Immigration Restriction Amendment Bill, regarding existing Chinese residents in New Zealand. —Agreed two. These two Bills wore then put through the final stages, and tho Naval Subsidy Bill was passed through committee. Tho House rose at 1.12 a.in. 'GISLATIVE COUNCIL. AFTERNOON SITTING. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Naval Subsidy Bill, the Advances to Settlers Act Amendment Bill, and the Immigration Restriction Act Amendment Bill were received from the House and read a first time. The Christchurch City Sanitation Bill was read a third time and passed. The Public Bodies Leasing Bill was further considered in committee.

A clause was amended to provide that a public hotly need not a’ecept tho highest or any other bid or tender for a lease, and that a lease offered and not sold may. within three months, be sold by private contract at a rent not less than the upset rent at which it was offered first. This may only be done in pursuance of a special resolution by the leasing body. At clause 14 progress was reported on the motion of the Attorney-Gen-eral. Tho Education Reserve Leases Valuation and Empowering Bill, which provides for the validation of certain lease granted by the Otago School Commissioners, and empowers tho Wellington School Commissioners to borrow £6OOO to discharge certain existing liabilities, was read a second time, put through committee, reported with amendment's, read a third time, and passed. Tho Gore Public Library Vesting Bill was read a second time, put through committee, reported unamended, read a third time, and passed. The Public Works Act Amendment Bill, which lias already passed tlie House, was read a second time by 14 votes to 13. Dr. Findlay, in moving tlie second reading oi the Naval Subsidy Bill, eulogised the measure and the Premier’s action.

Hon. F. Trask seconded tlie motion, and also expressed gratification at tho measure. Horn. J. R.igg l . in opposing! the Bill, said lie would always oppose an increased subsidy to the British navy so long as New Zealand’s defences wero not developed. He urged that some form of marine defence should be organised for New Zealand'. Hons. Kelly, Baldey, and Callan supported, and Hon. J. T. Paul opposed the Bill. The second reading was agreed to by 25 votes to 3, Hons. Barr, Paul, and Rigg voting ligainst- the Bill. The Bill was put through committee unamended, read a third time, and passed. The Council adjourned at o p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. AFTERNOON SITTING. Tlie House met at 2.30 p.m. On t.lio re]Kirt of the Extension ol Commerce Committee 'upon several petitions praying for increase of duty upon imported timber, that in the committee’s opinion an increase ot duty would be inadvisable, but that the petitions should be referred. to the Government for consideration, Mr T. Y. Seddon moved to refer the report back to the committee. A lengthy debate took place upon tlie Oregon pine question upon tlie lines of previous debates this session, several members contending-that the committee should l have expressed its opinion upon the advisability oi increasing the duty, seeing that the whole matter is to he referred to a Royal Commission. Eventually the report was ordered to lie on the Tlie County Amendment Bill No. 2 (Mr. Field) was read a first time. Tlie Auckland University College Land Bill (Hon. R. McNab) was read a second time.. Hon. J. McGowan moved the second reading of the Justices of the Peace Amendment Bill, providing that information and affidavits may be sworn before a clerk of tlie court, and also making certain amendments in proceedings with respect to habitual offenders. —Agreed to. Sir Joseph Ward moved tlie second reading of the Old Ago Pensions Bill, which, lie said, proposed various improvements in the system of old age pensions. The Premier stated that on a 32 per cent basis of the population the cost in 1909 would be, at a £26 pension, £351,442, which would increase by 1913 to £374,400. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. EVENING FITTING.

The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr. IV. F. Massey generally approved of the Bill as an improvement' upon the existing law. In the debate which followed, there was a general appreciation of the measure, though a number of committee amendments were Suggested, one being that, the age qualifying for a pension should be reduced to 60 years. Several members pointed out an 'anomaly under which a porso-n who had been 66 years in the Dominion but four years absent cannot get a pension, whilst a person who arrived here at 40 years of age can, after 25 years’ residence," obtain a pension: This anomaly, it was contended, should be removed. Sir Joseph IVard, replying, expressed gratification at the way the Bill had been received. Referring to universal pensions, he considered the idea impossible. He averred that universal pensions of £26 per annum would in 1910 cost £1.028,000, and by 1913 the amount, would be £1,113,138. Oil similar grounds lie opposed the abolition of the property limit qualification, and said it would be wrong to run the risk of breaking down the old age pensions system. To adopt the suggestion that broken residence should not disqualify for a. pension was not practicable, as people wo'uld return here simply for the purpose of obtaining a pension. The Bill was read a second time. Hon. G. Fowlds moved the second reading of tho Infants Amendment Bill, making certain amendments in the direction of improving the machinery or financial provisions in the principal Act. The Bill was read a second time without debat.o.

The Local Bodies Loans Amendment Bill was read a third time. The Land Laws Act Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor’s message. Messrs Herries, Greenslade, and Massey protested against the measure being brought down at this late period of the session.

Sir Joseph Ward said that important measures were brought down bv every Government in tlie world toward tlie end of tlie session. He objected l to be charged with rushing tilings. If it'was necessary to sjt longer let them do so. After some further discussion, the Bill was read a second time pro forma and referred - to the Native Affairs Committee. Hon. J. A. Millar moved the second reading of the Harbors Amendment Bin. The motion was agreed to on the voices. Hon. R. McNab moved the second reading of the Waipuka Block Bill. — Agreed to. The report of the managers with ths Legislative Council on tho Second Ballot Bill, read by the Speaker,

slioivs tliafc tho funoiulnio-nts liiatlo by tlio Council in clauses 2, 18, and 22 •arc agreed to, and that clause 19 is struck out. This states that tho SUO majority clause and tho “gag” clause disappear. , Sir Joseph Ward stated that the “gag” clause hail boon sacrificed bocauso the Council did not agree to tlie clause as sent from the House, but insisted upon its own amendment. Mr. AV. F. Massey said this was tho great surprise of the session. In spite of his loud l talk tho Premier had been beaten all along the line. The report was agreed to.