PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 4 November 1920, Page 3

PARLIAMENT

< ... / [PBB PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.] THE COUNCIL. i WELLINGTON, Nov. 3. I ' The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Loader of the Council informed Hon Thomson that he could not circulate among members during the recess Bills postponed, and which it is intended to bring down next session. To do so would be to present members with the Government’s policy in advance. Sir F .Bell moved the second reading of the Rotorua Town Land Bill, saying Government would neither save nor lose by the change in tenure. Hon Barr said the Bill left a deal to imagination. He admitted there was reason to give the freehold for residential purposes, but he did not see why the State should part with business sites. Incidentally he felt the day would come wlien rates under Self-Government would make the residents realise that the second position was worse than the i first. Hon Gow could see no objection to the Bilf. Hon Geddes expressed disapproval of the Bill, but ( realised that the question of leasehold versus freehold had been settled. Hon Neriienj supported the Bill, saying that competton would result among boarding houses so that bettei and more accommodation would be available. Hon Michel commended the Government for bringing down the Bill. The people of Westland were also suffering under leasehold disabilities. Hon Earnshaw argued that a majority of the freeholds in the world were leased* to other people by owners. He would vote against the Bill. Hon Garland said the Bill was twenty years overdue. The second reading was barred by 24 to 6, the noes being :—Hon Barr, Earnshaw, Geddes, Grimmond, Hall-Jones and Izard. 1 In Committee, the Hon asked whether any time would be set within which the lessees should acquire the freehold, otherwise he. feared some might acquire the freehold and that Government would still have to carry on control of the town. Sir F. Bell replied that there was no limit. He expected ( the people would take advantage of the statute and that municipality would be created immediately. The Bill was reported without amendment, read a third J time and passed. Sir F. Bell moved the second reading of the Legislative Amendment, post- , poning the coming “'into force of the scheme under Maori elections of members of Parliament are to be conducted in the same manner as European elections. The Bill also defined more clearly the section of the principal act dealing with the disqualification from Parliamentary honours of a man who enters into a contract with the Government. Sir F. Bell explained the latter was necessary as it had been suggested tfint the exception only applied to land taken compulsorily by Government. The Bill made it clear that .Government might acquire lands or an office from memliers or associations in which members held a share, without risking the disqualification of those concerned. The Bill was read a second time, put through committee and passed. District Railways’ Amendment, Orch- , ard and Garden Diseases Amendment, Stone Quarries and Local Railways Amendments were rceived from the House and put through all stages and passed. ' Sir F. Bell moved the second reading ' of the Bank of New Zealand Bill and traversed the history of the Bank since the State came to its assistance in 1894 and dealt in detail with the provisions of the measure. The Bill was read a second time without further de-1 bate, reported from committee without amendment, read a third time and passed. . Stone QuJlrries Amendment received from the (House was read a first time. The Council adjourned at 4.25 p.m. j THE HOUSE. i The House met at 2.30 p.m. | After transaction of formal business Hon Merries moved that the Hoiisc go into committee on Native Land Amendment and Native Land claims Adjustment Bill, which is a native “Washingup” Bill. He explained the Bill was the compilation of many matters which had been considered by Native Affairs Committee on a considerable time. There were also several slight changes in native law. After a brief debate the motion to go into Committee was argeed to. Hon Parr moved a similar motion m connection with the Education Amendment Bill. Mr Holland moved as an amendment to the motion that the JJill bo referred back to the Education Committee in order that it might consider the question of deleting the present scholarship .clauses and substituting proposals whereby all scholarships- be abolished and education in national institutions should be wholly free. The debate was continued till 2.15 a.m. when a division was taken on Mr Holland’s amendment, which was lost by 42 to 23.

The House then went into committee on the native “Washing-up” Bill and Education Bill, both being passed. The House rose at 4.15 a.m. till noon to-day.