PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 4 September 1926, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

( BY TELFORArn —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION THE COUNCIL. The Legislative Council sat at 2.30 p.m. Hutt Valley Land Settlement Bill. Local Bodies Loans Bills, Finlmcc Bill, Dentists Amendment Bill. Workers Compensation Amendment Bill, Main Highways Amendment Bill, Waimakarii'i River Improvement Amendment Bill and Education Amendment Bill were received from the House and read a first time.

The Council approved of the amendments in the Mildred Elaine Smyth Divorce Bill made by the House. The Veterinary Surgeons Bill was passed without amendment. A lengthy debate took place on the hand Laws Amendment Bill permitting the sale of national endowment lands and reinvestment in cities. Sir Robert Stout said that the Bill involved a huge mistake and declared it would be an enormous advantage to the State if the leasing system bad been adhered to. We must look to endowments to keep taxation low. If leases were abolished, it would be wrong for the State, as a generous landlord, to hold land, and the control and management of land would be left in the hands of wealthy people, mid wealthy corporations. A motion by Sir Robert Stout negativing the sale of endowments was defeated bp 20 to 2, Mr Witty being the only supporter. An amendment hv Mr Mclntyre in regard to the extension of the principle to the Westport leases was lost on the voices mid the Bill was put through the final sHiges and passed. The Council adjourned at 1.35 a.m. until 2.35 p.m. on Monday

THE HOUSE. WELLINGTON. Sept. 3. The House met *at 2.30 p.m. The following Bills were passed through all stages:—Customs Amendment Bill, Native Trustee Amendment Bill, Maori Arts and Crafts Bill, Native Land Amendment and Native Land Claims Adjustment Bill. In the latter Bill Mr Runnel unsuccessfully endeavoured to have the fee for the annual fishing license at Taupo for New Zealanders fixed at a sum not exceeding £l, the division resulting in 15 for, 41 against. The Gaming Amendment Bill was read a second time pro forma and referred to A. to L. Public Petitions Committee. The Houso rose at 1 a.m. till 2.30 p.m.