PARLIAMENT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8915, 7 September 1907, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

House of Representatives

Per Press Association. September C. S ome length stated disclaimed re that the r i“. an article which apspousihility jj ew Zealand Times appeared 1U jne mhers of the party tacking Jp-ith the Opposition on who vot ~piii. the Tarij members spoke oh the same subject. n McGowan moved the reading of the Foreign Said* Evidence Bill, which has iready been passed by the Council. Tho second reading was agreed to. Amend incuts made to the Police Offences Act Amendment Bill in coniniiff ee were agreed to, and the gill was read a third time and I,! Tho Chattels Transfer Act Amendment Bill, already passed by the Council, was read a second time. The Hon. Millar, in moving the scccud reading of the Methylated Spirits Bill, said it was imported at Is per gallon, and then pat through a"process of deodorising and used for 'purposes of culinary essences and adulterating spirits. By the process of deodorising tiie spirit was reduced to such a coudition that there were absolutely no traces of its ever having been methylated, and consequently the revenue was being considerably defrauded. .Ho explained that under the Bill it would be an offence to purify methylated spirits, to have such spirits in possession,' or to use methylated spirits in perfume, etc. Under the Bill power is also given to Customs officers to cuter aud search buildings where there is a reasonable suspicion that spirits is being or lias been purified. Mr Massey pointed out that two years ago Mr Millar strenuously opposed the Bill, aud yet ho now brought down a more drastic measure. The Hou. Mr Millar said that essence of lemon was being sold at 18s per gallon, which, if properly made under bond, could not be sold under 2(lj per gallon. Other abuses were also rife. ■ Tiie second reading was agreed to. | J The Coal Mines Amendment Act was committed. The Hon. McGowan explained that tlio Bill was practically the same as last year, and was in some respects intended to bring it into lino with the Mining Act, particularly in regard to prospecting for coal and provide for the health and, safety of workers. Mr Herrios congratulated the Government on including the clause enabling workers in State mines to come under the Arbitration Act. The Hou. McGowan explained that the life of one man in a small mine had the same right to protection as a number of men in a larger mine, aud that was the reason for the provision that a deputy mine manager should be a certificated man. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. The blouse resumed at 7.30. In Committee ou the Coal Mines Amendment Act Amendment Bill, at Clause 3, Section, E, tiro area of and to which coal prospecting licenses relates shall in no cases exceed 3000 acres.

Mr Guinness moved an amcuclmen t to increase the area to 4000 acres. Mr Ell said the effect of the amendment would bo that six men could secure an option over 24,000 acres, “ for a period of two years, and could have it extended to another year. Mr Platman said the Bill created a monopoly. Ho suggested that the Minister should bring down a measure to give the people a right to bore wherever they liked for coal, without paying any foe. Under this Bill only capitalists could undertake prospecting. Mr Allison said a poor man could take up an area at sixpence per acre. Air Hogg maintained that coal should, be reserved for the people, and the Government' should take stops in that direction. If they were going to allow prospecting to go on it should bo limited to an area of 1000 acres. Air Wilford opposed the amendment. Ho said the time of the license—two years—was too small, and the area too largo, and gave too much assistance to syndicates as first robbers. Ho added that the Bill laid clown no labour conditions, and did hot specify what work should be done before a prospectus of a company was issued, and the unsuspecting'investor induced to take shares., Mr Hogg said the most important clause in the Bill had been struck out in committee. Ho referred to the clause providing for the setting apart of areas for State mines on the Westland and Nelson coalfields. After midnight the Hon. J. McGowan said the State could supply coal at Palmerston North at 37s Gel per ton. Air Wood pointed out that coal could bo landed at Pox ton at £1 2s Sd a ton, and, with 4s added for railage, could bo lauded at Palmerston at £1 6s Gd. Yet the Aliuister said he could not deliver it under 37s Gd a ton. The vote was passed unaltered. The next class taken was the Lands for Settlement Department, total vote £8435. The Hon. J. A. Millar, in reply to Air Guinness, said it was not intended to erect workers’ dwellings in smaller towns where laud and routs were comparatively cheap. Mr Buddo suggested that the Government should try the “flat” system of housing workers. Air Laurouson said such a step would he in the wrong direction. They should aim at providing something for the worker to do in his spare hours, and it was essential they should have a little laud. He advocated a train service to take the workers out into the country. The vote was passed unaltered. Next class, Maori Laud Settlement Act, £2095. Mr Hornsby urged that payments made by Government agents should be made in a place where the money could not ho spent in drink. The Hon. James Carroll agreed with the suggestion. The vote was passed. Government Accident Insurance Account, £B4OJ), was passed without comment. State Pire Insurance vote, £40,400. Air Fisher urged that better salaries should be paid to the officers of the Department. The vote passed unaltered. Advances to Workers Act, £2320, was passed unaltered. The Estimates were completed and the House rose at 1.50 a.m.