PARLIAMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 498, 23 October 1909, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

NOTES.

Mr T. E. Taylorasked the Prime Minister “ whether the Government intend taking steps this session to prevent the flour-milling trust and the associated bakers from systematically exploiting the public by fixing arbitrary prices for flour and bread?” In reply Sir Joseph Ward said : “Yes, this matter is receiving consideration, and proposals connected therewith will be submitted to the House, which will be in the direction of giving municipalities greater powers than they possess at present.”

Mr EU’s Gaming Act 190 S Amendment Bill has for its object the abolition of the totalisator. In the event of the Bill not passing, Mr Ell will ask the House to remit the question to the people for a referendum, either on a special day, or at the next general election.

Mr M’Laren stated in the House of Representatives on Tuesday last that during the recent slack season the General Labourers’ Union lost from 600 to 700 members, and the Wharf Labourers’ Union almost as many. It was by no means true that during slack seasons all classes of men rushed to join the unions.

References to the journals of the Legislative Council show that the terms of office of several of its members will shortly expire. On December 13th the following will retire: Hons. G. Jones, Otago; R. H. J. Reeves, Nelson ; and W. C. Smith, Hawke’s Bay. Early in March nest, the Hons. A. Baldey, Otago; W. C. F. Carncross, Taranaki ; F. Trask, Nelson; and T. Thompson, Auckland, will retire. Then, again, the Hon. Mahuta, Auckland, will cease to be a member of the Council (unless re-appointed) on May 22nd. Four Councillors, the Hons. W. Beehan, Auckland ; S. T. George, Auckland; T. K. Macdonald, Wellington ; and H. F. Wigam, Canterbury, go out of office in the succeeding month.

What proportion of farmers is there to be found in each of the parties in the House ? The question was discussed briefly in the House on Wednesday night, and some interesting figures were mentioned. In the first place Mr W. C. Buchanan alleged that the settlers of the country were but poorly represented on the Government side of the House, to which the Hon. D. Buddo retorted by quoting the result of some investigations he had made. On the 'Government side, he had found there were twelve members —including the native members —-who. were farmers by calling, and three* others who added farming to their other callings. That made fifteen farming representatives. The Opposition included seventeen farmers in its ranks, so the difference was very little.

Mr* Millar, in answer to a question in the House of Representatives, stated that the running of dining cars on the express trains south of Dunedin would involve the department in a very large additional expense, too, in respect to the staff and provision for the management of the cars. The cars at present run in

the North and South Islands were unremunerative, the total receipts being barely sufficient to cover the wages of the staff and the stores, the barest margin to

cover the cost of repairs to the cars and absolutely nothing towards expense of hauling them. Under the circumstances, he was not prepared to recommend the extension of the dining car system to other trains. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. In the House of Representatives on Thursday Mr Sidey moved the second reading of the Local Time Bill based on the Daylight Saving Bill introduced into the House of Commons. The second reading of the Bill was agreed to. Mr Fisher moved the second reading of the Legislation Amend- ; ment Bill to repeal the Second Act and to substitute preferential voting. Mr Fisher, speaking on the second reading, said that the measure would remove all the bitterness, trouble and turmoil of the Second Ballot Bill, which had the effect of disfranchising many electors who were unable to go a second time to the poll. The Prime Minister had said that he expected only six ballots, but there had been 25 at the general election. Mr Fisher urged that at least clause 6, repealing the Second Ballot Bill, he passed. Mr Laurenson opposed the - second reading. The Act had not the failure it was alleged to ; be, as in fifteen centres out of the twenty-five in which the second ballot elections were held the electors had confirmed the first choice.

Mr Massey asked what was the use of second ballot if electors in fifteen cases out of twenty-five confirmed the first choice. He would support the Bill if only for the clause repealing the Second Ballot Act. Tl|s|- present system the most Wasteful possible and opened a. way to gross abuses. He advocated proportional representation, which was reported to work satisfactorily in Tasmania. Sir Joseph Ward explained the effect of the second ballot at the last general election. Votes cast . for the Government had increased over the 1905 election by 31,000, while those for the Opposition de-

creased by 13,442. He attributed the large number of second ballots to the fact thatjltbe Government paid towards the expenses of candidates at the second ballot. The proportional representation in Tasmania had resulted in an unstable Government, the third administration being on the point of taking office. It was not desirable to reproduce this state of affairs in New Zealand. It had been stated that the Act was passed to injure the Labour Party, but the fact was that the only Labour candidate who went to the second ballot was returned. It was impossible for the second ballot to injure any party. He could not support a Bill which proposed a system condemned by every country in Europe. Mr Hanan contended that although the Act was not perfect it should have a fair trial. Mr Herries believed the Government’s opposition to the Bill arose from the fact that it emanated from an Opposition member. A change of Government now and then was desirable. The Bill was undoubtedly better than the Second Ballot Act.

Hon. Mr Fowlds explained his support of Mr McNab's Majority Bill which was an improvement ou the old system. Mr Fisher’s system rendered it possible for a candidate having the lowest number of votes to be elected. This was impossible under Mr McNab’s system. Messrs Buick, Nos worthy, Phillips and Guthrie supported the Bill, and Messrs McLaren, Smith, Macdonald, Clarke and Graham opposed the second reading. The debate was adjourned. Sir Wm. Steward moved the second reading of the Marriage Act Amendment Bill which proposes to render lawful marriage with deceased wife’s niece or deceased husband’s nephew, which was carried.

Mr Sidey’s Musicians Bill, providing for the registration of musicians and the incorporation of a Society, was read a second time and referred to the Education Committee.

A Bill entitled the Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Bill was introduced by Governor’s Message when the House met yesterday afternoon. It provides for the raising of a loan of one million at a rate not exceeding 4 Yt. per cent. The money is proposed to be allocated as follows;

1. In respect of railways— Construction of railways ,£300,000 Additional rolling-stock for open lines, and other works and purposes in connection therewith as may be authorised 100,000 2. In respect of laud settlement and goldfields development — The construction of roads, tracks and bridges tor the purpose of opening up back blocks, developing goldfields, ' and such other works and purposes in connection therewith as may be authorised *200,000 3. In respect ot other public works 400,000 Total ;£1,000,000 The Bill was read a first time, and the second reading fixed for Tuesday next.