WORK OF PARLIAMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 700, 18 December 1909, Page 3

WORK OF PARLIAMENT.

DEFENCE BIEL GOES ON. LAND BIEL HEED OVER. Wellington, December 16. In the House of Representatives this afternoon the Prime Minister made an important statement relative to the work which he proposed should be dealt with in the week following. The chief Bills which would take up any length of time were the Defence and Native Land Bills. In regard to the former he intended to amend it so as to remove the objection to the clause providing for taking over of the assets and liabilities of existing corps by the Crown, by substituting one providing that existing companies may retain their assets and liabilities. He hoped that the Bill as amended would receive very little opposition and pass this session. Other Bills proposed to be dealt with before Christmas are the— Customs Duties Amendment. Stamp Duties. Workers Compensation Amendment King Country Licensing (which provides for the abolition of wholesale licenses within twelve mouths of the passing of the Act). A Bill abolishing pony and galloway racing. Superannuation Act Amendment Bill. Urewera District Reserves Bill, under which the Government takes over 100,000 acres of land. Magistrate’s Court Act Amendment Bill. Society of Accountants Bill and a number of locals Bills. The Land Bill would be held over till next session to allow of its fuller consideration by members. He proposed to bring in a Bill next session to finally settle the Meikle case, also a National Provident Bill, and legislation amending the Gaming Act and the Local Government Act. He proposed that Tuesday be set apart for the Consideration of the Timber Commission report and Wednesday for dealing with the Police Commission report when the Government would make a statement on the latter. In the event of not being able to overtake the work mentioned, Parliament should meet again after Christmas. Replying to the above statement Mr Massey said the Opposition would make up efforts to obstruct the legislation proposed so long as this was put through in a reasonable manner. He would assist in placing the Native Land Bill on the Statute Book. The programme mentioned by Sir Joseph Ward was lengthy and included many contentious measures, and would require a month for proper treatment. The Government’s action in bringing in the Laud Bill was not sincere.

After general discussion the House went into Committee on the Native Land Bill.