PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 62, 6 November 1912, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1912

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, November 5

The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Ellesmere Lands Drainage Amendment, State Fire Insurance, and Military Pensions Bills passed all the stages. In committee on the Government Railways Bill the following amendments were introduced by Governor’s message: “No solicitor, counsel or agent, other than a member of the department recognised by the Minister for the purpose of this section, shall appear to he heard on any appeal, but the appellant shall appear in person or by another member, or by the secretary of any such society authorised, and the Department shall appear by some member appointed by the Minister in that behalf.” The clause was agreed to and the Bill passed.

The Public Reserves and Domains Amendment Bill, and Government Life Insurance Bill also passed their final stages. The Council then adjourned. The Council resumed at 8 p.m. The Ellesmere Land Drainage Bill was read a third time by 13 to 4. The Public Reserves and Domains Amendment Bill was taken in committee.

On the motion of the Minister, an amendment was agreed to remodelling the manner in which county councils may acquire reserves and hold them in trust until a domain board is formed.

The Bill was put through all its stages. The Barmaids’ Registration Amendment Act Bill was reported unamended, and finally passed. The Council rose at 9.15 p.m. till 11.30 a.m. to-morrow.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. THE WASHING-UP PROCESS. The report on public health was presented by Mr Rhodes. He stated that the death rate for the Dominion for the year was 9.39, compared with 9.71 for 1910. The lowest rate on record was m 1896, when the figures I were 9.10. The birth rate for the I year was 25.97 per 1000. : Mr Russell asked the Prime Minister what steps the Government intended to take in connection with the re- ; lief of the relatives of those killed in ; the Mt. Lyell mine disaster, j The Prime Minister replied that the : Government would consider the matter to-morrow. They had to remember that £IOOO had had to be transferred to the miners’ relief fund, which was in a bankrupt state,- also that the j Government had practically had to j take over the maintenance of the WarI hi Hospital since the strike commenced. The •Ho'use went into the Barmaids’ Registration Bill. lA new clause was added, on the motion of the Prime Minister, providing that every person who was, on the passing of the Licensing Amendment Act, 1910, entitled on application to be registered as a barmaid, but who failed to make application within the time limited, shall be entitled to be registered as a barmaid if application is made by her in the prescribed manner, on or before June 1 next. The committee considered the Land Agents’ Registration Bill. The Prime Minister accepted an amendment proposed by Mr Statham, which provided that licensed auctioneers carrying on private business as land agents should be brought within the scope of the Bill. Another amendment made to the Bill extended the period within which a land agent shall tender an account of a sale to the vendor from fourteen to twenty-eight days. The clause.providing that land agents shall pay a fee of 10s every time they change their address was struck out. The Barmaids’ Registration Bill and the Land Agents’ Registration Bill were read a third time and passed. The Plumbers’ Registration Bill was committed, and the House adjourned. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The Plumbers’ Registration Bill was reported with minor amendments from committee.

RAILWAY AUTHORISATION BILL

Mr Fraser moved the second reading of the Railways Authorisation Bill. The idea of the Bill was, he said, to enable the Department to make surveys and an estimte of the probable cost of contemplated lines. In most of the lines proposed he' thought that light lines would he found suitable. Sir Joseph Ward said that the Bill was to be commended, because it did not authorise any expenditure on proposed railways. If light lines were adopted, the present gauge would have 'to bo adhered to, and the whole matter would have to he gone into carefully. The experience of New Zealand was that light lines were ultimately the most expensive system of construction. If private people were to be allowed to construct linos there would' be a great deal of poliical jobbery. The Estimates this year provided for £OOO,OOO more than was spent on public works last year; yet it was rumoured that work was to be stopped on several lines.

Mr Buchanan declared that there were three lines—Picton, Nelson and Kawakawa, on which a million pounds had been lost. Mr Anderson advocated the better incut system on light lines. Mr Okey said that some of the lines wore political linos of the worst description. The Bill was then rend a second time.

OTHER BILLS. Mr Massey moved the second reading of the Shearers’ and (Agricultural Labourers’ Accommodation Amendment Bill, which was agreed to on the voices.

Wellington, November 6. In the House after 2 a.m., the Rail-

ways Authorisation Bill passed through the Committee stage, and was read a third time. The Shearers’ Agricultural Labourers’ Accommodation Amendment Bill and the Education Amendment Bill wore passed similarly.

The Premier intimated that he intended to postpone the Shops and Offices Bill till next session.

The House, adjourned at 2.40 till 10.30 this morning.