PARLIAMENT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 26 November 1927, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EDUCATION RESERVES AMENDMENT. BILLS PASSED. Wellington. Nov. 25. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m, to-day. Replying to Mr. E. N. Bartrain (Grey Lynn), the Prime Minister said in reference to a consignment of wirenetting received from Canada by the Railway Department, that he understood this material could be made in New Zealand and, all things being equal, he thought our people should use the locally manufactured article. Seven days’ leave of absence were granted to Mr. A M. Samuel (Ohinemuri) on account of illness. Resuming the debate on the report on the Education Bill Sir A, T. Ngata asked the Minister if he would make provision in the bill for the election of a Maori representative on the board of the Rotorua High School. The natives had contributed liberally to the establishment of the school and were entitled to some recognition in the matter. Mr F. F. Hocklv supported Sir A. T. Ngata’s request, nnd the report wa B laid on the table BETTER TENURE.

The Minister of Lands moved the second reading of the Education Reserves Amendment BiTi. whm l ’ he said, was intended to give better tenure to holders of leases of education reserves and so it was hoped would improve the settlement of this class of land. There were som® 2000 persons scattered all over the country affected by the bill. These people would be given an opportunity of surrendering their present leases, and under the bill they would receive a tenure of greater uniformity for 21 years, with the perpetual right of renewal at such rents ns may be deemed equitable, with full nrotection at the termination nr these new leases for any improvements effected by the lessees. Provision is also made whereby the proceeds from education reserves sold under special circumstances or exchanged for other lands may be invested upon first mortgage in freehold lands or in Government or municipal securities for the benefit of the endowment, when such course is deemed expedient. As the law now stands such moneys can only be invested in the purchase of other lands for education purposes, and suitable investments bv wav of such purchases are not always im mediately practicable or expedient. The bill also contains a clause tegarding the powers of trustees of high schools with respect to the method of granting leases of land* vested in them. These powers nre considerably extended. Provision is also made whereby leases offered may lie balloted for among suitable applicants. Power is given to accept surrenders of existing leases of pastoral land and to grant in lieu thereof fresh 'eases for a term not exceeding 35 years Mr. G. IV. Forbes (Rnrnnui) said he felt sure the bill would ho w ol corned !"• those holding education leases. He thought, however it wns a. mistake to allow the Ministiu ,-f Education to administer the Act, which was really a Land Act. That should he done by the Minister of Lands MR HOWARD'S PROTEST. Mr. E. J. Howard (Christchurch South) said he could not congratulate the Minister on the bill introducer! at the eleventh hour. On his reading of the bill it appeared that the leases of two Canterbury colleges could lie disposed of and he had to protest. The .Minister of Lands said the hill did not affect either college. The Hon. D. Buddo. Mr. E. Walter. Mr. H. J R. Mason. Mr T. K, Sidev. Mr. T, 1). Burnett and Mr. H. G. Dickie also discussed the hill, from various points of view, aftor which the bill was read the second time. NATIVE LAND AMENDMENT. The Prime Minister moved the second reading of the Native Land Amendment nnd Native Land Claims Adjustment Bill. He said one of the greatest problems in connection with native land wns the question of rates. Much of the land was now carrying such a load of rates that if sold the land would not pay those rates. A scheme of consolidation of overdue rates was therefore proposed. To this end an examination of the position was necessary. It would necessarily take some time to ascertain what native lands should pay -ates, nnd when this had been done the Native Land Rating Act would apply. The debate was continued by Mr. M. J. Savage. Mr. H. W Urn Mr. J. C. Rolleston, Sir A. T. Ngata. Messrs W. H. Field. W. D. Lysnar, A. Hamilton. A. Bel) and R W. Smith. When the Prime Minister had replied the bill was read the second time.

RAILWAYS AMENDMENT. The Prime Minister then moved the commital of the Government Railways Amendment Bill wi «■. ho said, made no difference in administration. So far as transfers and promotions were concerned, the hi!] followed the recommendations of the committee set up to investigate this phase of the service. With these recommendations Cabinet did not agree entirely, but after consideration it was thought best to give full effect to the committee’s suggestions. In future all appointments will be provisional and will not be made final until al] chance of appeal is removed. Regrading would take place every five years. He next dealt with me constitution of the Appeal Board of seven members, five of whom are to be elected. He stressed the point that they wanted a board that would hold the balance fairly between the men on the one hand and the public on the other. The chairman, he thought, should be a magistrate, unless there is someone else satisfactory to both parties. He made it clear it was not the intention to bring outsiders into the department if there was anyone in the department capable of doing the work. He thought the Appeal Board would work out satisfactorily and that the Railway Associations were not justified m their alarm. Mr. H. E. Holland /Leader of the Opposition) understood there would be no appeal in the case of a position to which the salary attached exceeded

£765 per annum, and he old' not think that would be satisfactory. He believed the service desired the pre. sent chairman, a magistrate, of the Appeal Board to remain, and he saw no reason why it should not be laid down in the Act that the chairman should be a magistrate. The Prime Minister said that was the understanding. “None,” said Mr. Holland. “I take it if the service wants a magistrate the Prime Minister will agree ” The Prime Minister: Yes Sir George Hunter (Waipawaj approved of the bill, particularly ot the housing clauses. Sir Joseph Ward (Invercargill) urged that the “plums” of the service should not go to outsiders. The bill was ordered to go into committee. BILLS PASSED The Education Reserves, Lands “Washing Up” Native Land and Government Railways Bills were then put through the committee stage, read the third time and passed. On the third reading of the Railways Bill, Sir Joseph Ward congratulated the Prime Minister in moving the following new clause in the committee, having for its object the prevention of the appointment, of outsiders to the “plums” of the service: “No person other than a member of the department shall be appointed to any position or office therein unless, in the opinion of the appointing authority, no members then in the service of the department and available for appointment to that position or office is fnUv qualified for reappointment to that position of office and capable «t efficiently carrying out the duties thereof.” The Prime Minister announced that the House would meet at 10.30 in the morning and sit till 1 p.m. The House then rose at 1.10 a.m.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. to-day. . The Public Service Amendment Bill was reported from the Statutes Revision Committee without amendment and put through the final stages and passed. The Waimakariri River linm-0,.--ment Amendment Bill and the Stamp Duties Amendment Bill were received from the House and read the first time. Tile Hon. E. H. Clark asked whether, when the Government is revising the recently published motor regulations, it will consider the question of prohibiting the practice of some taxi-cab owners of locking cars while occupied hy their fares and thus prevent what will inevitably esult in a serious accident. Sir Francis Bell replied that the Government would consider the point. The Rent Restriction Continuance Bill was -passed with amendments made bv the Labour Bills Committee and a further Government amendjnent protecting orders of the Court made since the expiration of the old Act last August. The Council adjourned at 4.55 p.m. until 11 a.m to-morrow.