PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 28 August 1912, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

The Budget debate occupied the House of Representatives through >ut the week, and the members of the Upper House have been discussing the Legislative Council Reform Bill. The only outstanding feature of the debate on the Financial Statement was a division taken on an amendment by Mr Craigio : " That, in the opinion of this House, the time has arrived when the national estate in land should be rigidly conserved, an:l that hereafter no land of the Crown shall be alienated otherwise than by Way of renewable lease, with periodical revaluation of rent." The motion, which was moved by the member for Timaru on his own initiative, was defeated by 52 votes to 14, As Mr Wilford explain* cd. in course of discussion, there was no issue of freehold and leasehold between the Government and the Opposition. It was on the great social question of the method of land settlement where their difference lay.

Now that the Budgei debate is over, the House will be able to get to business on the real work of the session, There will bo ample opportunity for discussion and criticism this week. On Tuesday Government bills were considered, and the Estimates may possibly be discussed. To-day and Thursday private members' bills will havo an airing, and on Friday, again, the Estimates. During the week, also, an Imprest Supply Bill will be introduced, and must be passed, before Saturday; otherwise the State will not be able to meet its liabilities. According to last Friday's order paper, the second reading of the Land and Income Assessment Amendment Bill was the second order, and the ninth order of the day the the second reading of the Civil Service Amendment Bill, The Government has had a good opportunity during the time occupied by the Budget debate to, prepare many of its policy measures, and a number of new bills may be looked for this week including a mea* sure to amend the industrial laws. Among the measures circulated early this week will be the Publio Service Reform Bill, Valuation of Land Amendment Bill, and the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act A> mendrrip.nt Bill.