JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1920, Page 1

JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

(Our Parliamentary Correspondent.)

THE COUNCIL, ACT. ~ _ WELLINGTON, Sept, 15. Whe ( n the Legislative Council Amendri'ient Bill was mentioned in tpe Council the other day. Sir F. D. Bell suggested that members who desired to voice opinions contrary to the intern Lions of, the Government, as expressed in the Bill, should, do so by way of resolution. This sounded rather, like an invitation to Councillors to disapprove of the long delayed scheme for making tlie Council elective., To-day the Hon Mr ,Gow gave notive of motion that it would bo against the public interest to allow, the Legislative t'ouncil Act, 1914, to be brought into operation, thereby making a , drastic change in the constitution of tlie Dominion, at a time alien many urgent political and social problems were pressing for solution.. AGAIN TALKED OUT. Tlie.Te Aroha Crown Leases Bill appeared again in the House this afternoon and' was talked, out for the third time, by the lease holders. This Bill obviously is not going to have an easy passage to the ,Statute Book. A WOMAN’S ACRES. Much was occupied this afternoon in the House by. a discussion upon tlie petition of Mrs Peters of Palmerston North, who objects to being forced to sell land to the Manawatu A and P Association. Mrs Peters owns two acres, which tlie Association lias been trying ,to buy for twenty years. It’s groririds have extended all round Tier sections; which are valued by the Government valuers at £660. The Association! lias offered her £1;000, but her price is £I,BOO. The Government hist session put a. clause in the Washing-up Bill authorising the purchase of this land under the Public Works Act for the Association, and Mrs Peters who is still in possession, wants the clause repealed. Opposition meinbers suggested that she was entitled to more than had been offered, though riot to all she asked. The House left the matter in tlie. Muds of the ■Goverrirhcnt. THE WOOL CLIP. Mr Forbes (Hurumii) asked the Prime Minister what afniiigcirieiit had been made regarding wool arid whether tlie committee had been set up to see the wool from this season’s clip was handled to the best advantage. Tlie inarket was in h very unsettled condition and the growers were anxious to know that everything possible was being done to prevent a siunip.

.Mr Massey said that fie could only toll Mr Forbes what he probably already kheiv, tiuit sit tlie last gathering of wool gi-owefs, a coriiiriittee was set up! to watch matters in connection with tlie coming clip. He had prepared an official statement which lie would give to tlie House possibly to-morrow, giving all details.

NATIVE TRUSTEE BILL. WfeTJiTNfcTtfN, Sept. in. Tlie Native Trustee Bill which proposes the appdintinJit of a special trustee to bahdle native affairs on lines followed by tlie Public Trust Office was put thToiigb committee anii passed tonight. Sir W.' Herries told the House that the Native Trustee would drive charge of the general fund which would include a slim of £578,000 how held by native land boards and £262,000 how in the hands of the Public Trustee. He would lend money to natives on security of partitioned land, or land held by Associations, ,but not on land in commoli. He believed the Bill would assist Maoris to become farmers, and would at the same time encourage partition and break down communal habits. ; LICENSING BILL PASSED. Several members proposed amendments in the form of hew clauses, when the Licensing Amendment Bill was committed to-night. The amendments were all rejected after Mr Massey had explained again that tlifc Bill was intended merely to remedy defects in the present law, particularly with regard to transfer of licenses and Hint he was not prepared to accept any additional clauses. Mr Massey added that ho would set up a committee next session to consider licensing matters generally and would give an opportunity then to the House to deal with ally urgent mattori He agreed that licensing law required amending from beginning to the end, but he did not consider this could be attempted until after the next poll. The Bill was put through committee and passed.