In Parliament

Horowhenua Chronicle, 20 October 1913, Page 3

In Parliament

Questions By Members AND MINISTERS , KEPLIES. In tlio House of .Representatives the following answers and questions were asked and given last Avoek:— LAND AGENTS , LICENSE FEES. Mr Anderson to ask the Governinont, Whether they will introduce an amendment of the In nil Agents' Act, 1012, so that a more equitable license fee may he enforced? (Note. —Under the present Act, there is a diirerentiation, so that a more equitable license fee is imposed upon laud agents with one business house and upon companies •which have branches in many cities and towns in the Dominhm.) The Hon. Mr Massey replied. The reason for a uniform license fee is that land agents licenses are available throughout the Dominion. • A separate charge for each place means a complete change of this principle of the Act. Tin , present fee of .£5 is not excessive when compared with, say. _ that charged for an auctioneer's license —namely, ,£4O. Even in special auctioneer 1 licensing district. which are constituted in sparsely populated areas, the fee is L'o. An amendment of the Act is, however. under consideration. NATIVE LANDS HATING. Mr W. T. Uliodes to ask the Government, Whether they will introduce legislation to provide that rates due on native blocks ceded to the Crown for mining purposes and subject to the Mining Act and regulations be a first cliargo against the revenue accruing due to the native owners oJ sncli blocks.

The. Hon. Mr Hemes replied. The matter will receive attention when amendments to iho Bating Act, which are shortly to be brought before the House are under consideration.

HABBOFB BOARDS

Mr T. W. Rhodes to ask the Government, "Whether they will this session amend the law a fleeting the election of county council representatives on Harbour Hoards so that the election of such may be held on the same day as the county elections are held r , iSoie. —An alteration of the law as indicated would effect a considerable earing to the smaller harbour boards by saving the cost of elections on separate days, and would be more convenient for county electors.)

The Hon. Mr Fish or replied. It is not intended to niter tin , law affecting the election of County council representative to the harl)our boards this yenr.