PARLIAMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 409, 11 July 1908, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington Thursday. The Wellington Harbour Board Bill, providing for the borrowing of a million for reclamation and other works, was referred to the Standing Orders Committee to decide whether it was a private Bill.

TRAVELLING EXPENSES,

Referring to travelling expenses of the Customs expert (Mr Shannon), mentioned last session, the Minister said the arrangement now was that the expert received a day for travelling expenses while actually travelling.

MAORI LAND BILL,

A Bill to repeal clause 32 of the Maori Baud Claims and Adjustment Act, 1906, was read a first time. MILLION AND A QUARTER LOAN. Ihe Premier moved the second reading of the Aid to Public Works and Band for Settlement Bill, authorising a million and a quarter. He explained that this was the usual loan Bill for a million for ordinary public works, with an extra quarter of a million for reading the backblocks. Of last year’s loan ,£28,500 was taken up in the Dominion, and that was unsolicited. The revenue for the June quarter showed an advance of ,£6892 over the corresponding period last year, despite the Customs’ reductions, which amounted for the quarter to ,£BO,OOO. Mr Massey congratulated the Minister for Finance on this position, but said he would take a later oppoi trinity to discuss the finances of the Dominion. He thought the loans should be raised in the Home market, by way of inscribed stock.

The Premier stated that he thought the Public Works Statement would be down shortly after the Financial statement debate closed. The second' reading was agreed to. DIVEHS BILES. The Incorporated Societies Bill was read a third time. The New Zealand Society of Accountants Bill passed. The Pawnbrokers Charges Bill, which reduces the interest chargeable to 25 per cent, on sums under £2 and 20 per cent above that amount, was read a second time.

The Impounding Act Amendment Bill was read a second time and referred to the Agricultural Committee.