PARLIAMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3769, 4 July 1907, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

TUESDAY. The Premier, in moving six months’ leave of absence for the Hon. Hall-Jones, said he had desired him (the speaker) to inform the House that he regretted being unable to meet members this session, though nothing would give him greater pleasure than to do so. Mr Massey said although members on his side of the House differed from Mr Hall-Jones politically* all sympathised with him in his illness. He hoped he would return thoroughly restored. The motion was agreed to.

Mr Davey moved the address in reply. Referring to the Chinese question, he said it was an everlasting disgrace to the people of New Zealand that they dealt with the Chinese at all. It was incumbent to pass a law forbidding the Chinese to enter the colony. Referring to the Conciliation Act, he described it as a farce, and from what he had learned of Mr McNab’s proposal in the Governor’s Speech for an Industrial Council, he thought it the best possible means to settle the difference of employer and worker. He could not say he was much impressed at the proposal to change the name of the Colony to that ot Dominion, though it could not do any harm', but he should prefer some other distinct name. He considered it would be beneficial to follow Canada in terming the Upper House members Senators and, of the Lower House M’s.P. The latter two words were understood throughout the world, whereas M.H.R. was probably not understood outside New Zealand. Mr Poland seconded the motion. Referring to the Land Bill, he said it hit the Opposition squatocracy in a vital place, and it was evident the days of the squatter and old nobility were coming to an end. He strongly advocated setting apart a portion of the Crown lands as an endowment for education purposes. Referring to the Workers’ Home Act, he hoped the Minister for Labour would propose an amendment to enable a man earning 6s or 7s a day to take advantage of the Act, as one day’s pay would be quite enough for a working man to pay as rent. The House adjourned at 10.15 p.tn. WEDNESDAY. ' The debate on the Address-in-Reply was resumed by Mr Massey. The Premier followed, and the debate was taken up by Messrs Lewis, Hornsby, McNab and Ell. The House adjourned at 11.47 p.m. .