THE PARLIAMENTARY UNION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 474, 15 June 1912, Page 5

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNION.

SECOND SITTING

The second sitting of the Te Kuiti f Parliamentary Union was held in the Municipal Hail on Thursday evening. There was a good attendance of members and the body of the hall was well filled. The Speaker's chair was occupied by Major Lusk and the party leaders were both present. A Land Bill was brought down by the Minister for Lands, Hon. Somerville, and several clauses were debated before the adjournment was moved to allow of the Defence Bill being introduced by the Hon. J. Wall. The chief feature of the debate was a clause in the Land Bill dealing with the conversion of all native-owned land into Crown lands. It was proposed to proclaim all native-owned land, except that which was being farmed by natives, Crown land, the natives to be paid the unimproved value in bonds redeemable in thirtv thre years and bearing interest at 5 per cent. The clause was severely criticised b> Messrs Howarth, Hine, Hardy and Scholes. An amendment making better financial provision was introduced by the Opposition leader, Mr Scholes, wa3 agreed to bv the Government and passed on the voices. The Defense Bill was read by the Hon. J. Wall, Minister for Defence, and is to bs circulated and debated at next sitting, when the remaining clauses of the Land Bill will be debated. The next meeting of the Debating Society will be held in the Municipal Hall on Thursday next, when the subject "Is too much attenton being devoted to Sport" will be debated. The affirmative is tu be taken by Mr Martin, and the negative by Mr Falwasser.