PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 50, 30 October 1913, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, [Peb Pbess Association. 1 : Wellington, October 29. The Legislative Council met at 2.30. The Hon. H. I<\ Bell introduced the New Zealand Society of Accountants Amendment Bill, which was read a first time. ' ; The Council went into Committee on the Land Bill. No alterations were made, except machinery amendments, which were accepted by tiie Minister. In clause 22, exempting from personal residence, a new sub-clause was added, on the motion of the Hon H. F. Bell, increasing the limit of income necessary to take advantage of the clause to £3so.—The Hon. J. Anstey denounced clause 22, as destructive of all ' closer settlement, by recognising the absentee. He, moved to strike the clause out.—The Council on a division retained the clause by 19 votes to- 7.—The Hon. J. Anstey moved to strike out clause 26, dispensing with personal residence on certain small grazing runs after ten years from date of lease.—The clause was retained by 16 votes to 9. .. ' HOUSE OF REPRfcSENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30.

Three days' leave of absence was granted to , the Hon. Jas. Alleri, on account of illness. . . "

The Railways Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor's message.— The Hon. W. H.'Hemes stated that the salient points of the measure were in the schedule. Provision was made for ah increase to the first division. Those advances had met with approval; Provision was also made tc allow the Government to erect warning bells.at level crossings. It was pointed ont that 'the. Government should not bo held responsible' if those for some reason, failed to ring when a train was approaching. Power was also given to the Government to hold an inquiry into " railway ' accidents.:—Replying to Sir J. Ward, who asked what was being done for the' secqnd division, Mr Hemes said that the matter was before, the Railway Committee, and he could make no statement until the Committee reported. He understood that the great bulk of the seje-ond division were satisfied with the increase of last year, j In. connection with alarms, he stated further that alarms fi'om signal-boxes would not be altered, hdr would the arrangements at present', in vogue where !crosf>ingkeepers were employed.. The proposed .alarms wiould be erected in the country, but he could not inform the House justi where they would ! be situated, nor oouldhe say that all. the crossings would be so treated at once.

The amendments made to the Public ftrust Office Amendment..,Bill by tfjfie Legislative Council were agreed to. In reply to questions, Ministers said that the* vendor of every lot of artificial manure of scwt, or, oyer must, supply what is practicably a" certificate, of its. analysis,'; ;■ ). ,»iiin. etffiritsewtcn

The Government intends to 'introduce a Licensing Bill during the pre-; sent session. ' V! '' »,..

Tho inspectors have been instructed to administer the Noxious Weeds Act fairly and impartially, without feaV or favor to anyone. The Vancouver service contract will expire' about November, 1916. The San Francisco contract expired on October 1913. The proposals of tho Union Company for a .continuance of the services are now under the consideration of the Government. , .

The law relating to'the accommodation of shearers and agricultural workers is being insisted on throughout the whole Dominion. i It is not the duty of the Now Zealand Customs expert at Home to see that'shoddy goods are not exported to New Zealand.

The Stock Committee of the Legislative Council has decided to postpone furher consideraion of the Stallions Bill for a fortnight, in order to give those interested an opportunity of making their representations to the Committee.

The Rating Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor's Message and read a first time. The Minister said that the Bill mainly related tp"Native lands, hut also contained a few minor amendments asked for by local bodies.—Mr Hemes, replying to Mr Parata, said that the Bill did not pro*vide for a reduction of rates on Native lands. He could not see his way to reduce those rates as none were paid. The House of Representatives went into committee on the Beer Duty Bill. —Mr G. V. Pearce moved an amendment that the excise duty on beer lie reduced from threepence to one penny, as an indication that the duty should be doubled. He held : that the brewing trade was the ; most iniquitous monoply in the country. He had no' feeling against the publican,, because lie had to sell as much bad liquor as possible to make both ends meet, or else lie would get kicked out of his hotel. He desired to get the opinion of the House as to wheteher the Government should double the beer duty. The effect of the amendment, if carried, would lie to gain something like an extra £IOO,OOO in customs revenue.— Mr Herries said that the Government knew nothing of Mr Pearce's amendment until it was brought before the House. Tho Government proposed to stick to the Bill, and its policy would be divulged in due course.—The House divided on Mr Pearce's amendment, the voting being: For, 11; against, 52.—The Bill was then reported. The Municipal Corporations Amendment Bill was considered' in Committee. An addition was made to the clause relating to the biennial election" of Mayors, on the motion of Mr T. H. Davey, at whose instance it was

agreed that in the event of the office of Mayor becoming vacant before the expiry of the first year his successor should be elected by all the electors, but if it became vacant within one year of the next election the councillors should elect him.—At clause 23 the Minister moved to report progress, and the House rose at one o'clock.