PARLIAMENT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 8969, 7 November 1907, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Press Association. ■Wellington, November 6. In the Council, which mot at 3.30 p.m. .leave of absence was granted to Mr Samnol for a week on account of illness. The Infant Life Protection Bill was read tbo first time, and the Waitara Harbor Bill was comini ttoecl.

In the House of Representatives the following Bills were introduced and read the first time The Pnrangi Landless Natives. Beer Duty Act Amend incut, Rangitatau Block Ecxbange, Butter Export, Taiori Laud Drainage, and Defence Act Amendment Bills. Leave' of absence for remainder of the session was granted to Mr Alison ou account of illness.

The following Bills wore read the third time and passed:—Bills of Exchange Act Amendment; Agricultural Implement Manufacture, Importation and Sale; Police Offences and the Supremo Court Practice and Procedure Acts Amendment, Taumarauui Town Council Election Validation, Scaffolding Inspection Act Amendment, Coal Mines Act Amendment Bills.

In reply to questions it was stated that consideration is being given to the proposal to call Parliament together' in May, jin order that members could devote themselves to the country’s business duriugltho winter months, leaving them free to attend their own business in the spring and summer; that the schooner Countess of Raufurly lias boon sold lor £3050; aud that the value*upou which duty is charged is the fair market value when sold for homo consumption in t!ie principal markets of the country whence and at the time when the goods exported by an agent for a British export bouse importing for stock would bo charged with duty on that value. The Premier stated that ho will confer with the Chief Jnsitce in regard to the Moiklo case, and make a statement to the House.

Arising out of a question by Mr A. L. i). Fraser, regarding a statement made by the Chief Justice in respect of the high value of laud in Taranaki, which ho said is so high that tho farmers cannot pay for labour, and have to depend on their children, who are being worked to death, Mr Laureuson urged that an inquiry should be made into the subject of child labour in Taranaki. Messrs Okey, Symos, Major, and Jennings strenuously refuted the statements that child slavery was carried on in Taranaki.

Mr Massey said lie knew the district and was absolutely certain that, as far as health and education is concerned, they would compare with children in other districts'of the colony. The children wore well fed and clothed, and a far as inquiry went, ho know that the people of Taranaki would welcome any inquiry that might bo insl i luted. The Premier said lie was convinced that the parents of Taranaki were as anxious to look after the ■welfare of their children as anywhere else in the colony, and added that the inspectors would bo instructed to look carefully after _ tho children in agricultural districts, and'thought the suggested inquiry might be deferred. The House wont into'Committeo on tho Agricultural ''Labourers’ Accommodation Bill.