PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 51, 27 October 1914, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. [Per Press Association.] Wellington, October 2G. Hon. H. D. Bell moved a resolution similar to that passed in the House, expressing deep sympathy with Lady Liverpool in tlie loss of her brother, Captain Mo nek, in the war He paid a warm tribute to the whole-hearted spirit with which Lady Liverpool had devoted herself to the interests of the people of New Zealand. —Captain Baillie seconded the resolution, which was carried in silence.

Upon the third reading of the Education Bill, Mr Barr urged that the measure should have been brought down earlier to enable the Counicl to have an opportunity to consider the pecularities of the education system. —Hon. Bell declared that there had been no attempt to hurry the Bill. It had been before the Lower House for months.—-The Bill was read a third time.

Hon. Bell moved the second reading of the Railway Improvement Authorisation Bill. He pointed out that as this was a money Bill they could not alter it. The second reading was carried on the voices. The Bill was then put through the committee without amendment, read a third time, and passed.— The War Regulations and Trading With Enemy Bills were read a second time, put through committee, and finally passed without debate. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATSVES. The House met at 7.30 p.m.

The Premier gave notice of intention to introduce the Shops and Offices Amendment Bill, and Public Domains and Reserves Amendment Bill. Hon. Herries introduced the West Coast Settlement Reserves Amendment Bill, which was read a first and second time, pro forma, and referred to the Native Affairs Committee.

Hon. 11. H. Rhodes introduced the Taumarunui Hospital District Bill, which was read a first time.

The Premier moved the second reading of the Kauri Industry Amendment Bill, explaining that it was intended to give temporary relief to gum-dig-gers by making advances up to 50 per cent on gum pending the recovery of the market, which, prior to the war, was largely in Germany.—Sir Joseph Ward said he would support the Bill. Anything that would tend to restore the balance disturbed by the war should be encouraged.—The second reading was carried on the voices.

The Premier moved the second reading of the Taieri Laud Drainage Amendment Bill, .which, he said, was necessary to make the working of the present Act more effective.—Sir Joseph .Ward said he would not oppose the Bill, but he objected to the provision that a loan could be raised without the ratepayers being consulted.—Mr Witty contended that it was doubtful if the people understood the Bill. He did not like the proposal to levy a uniform rate.—The Premier, in reply, said there was nothing new in the Bill. It was only intended to make the present Act more clear. The Bill was read a second time on the voices. The Premier moved the second reading of the Road Boards Amendment Bill giving road boards power to spend money on drainage schemes.—Several Opposition members complained of the failure of the Government to deal comprehensibly with the question of local Government. What was wanted was the consolidation of local authorities rather than an extension of powers to small road boards.—The Premier, in reply, said he recognised that the day of small local bodies was gone.—The Bill was react a second time on the voices.

The Premier moved the second reading of the Wages Protection and Contractors’ Liens Amendment Bill, which was intended to meet a technical flaw pointed out as the result of litigation in the Supreme Court.—Mr Hindmarsh complained that the Bill only dealt with the question from the employers’ point of view.—Mr Pearce, urged that the Bill be passed without delay, as it was a most important amendment to the Contractors’ Act. —The Bill was read a second time, Hon. Allen moved the second reading of the State Advances Amendment Bill, which was carried without discussion.

The House then went into Committee on the Kauri Gum Amendment Bill, which was passed with the addition of a new clause moved by the Premier, to the effect that in estimating the value of gum, the Minister may adopt the prices current on July Ist last.

The Taieri Land Drainage Amendment Bill was passed through Committee without amendment, as were also the Rivers Board Amendment, Road Boards Amendment, Wages Protection Amendment, and State Advances Amendment Bills.

On coming to the Land Laws Amendment Bill in Committee, tne Premier stated,that ho had been chaffed by the Opposition that he was keeping the Cheviot estate out of the Bill to punish the member for the district, who was not a Government supporter. That was not the case, and he was quite, prepared to take a division on the question and let the House decide it.—Sir Joseph Ward objected, on the ground that! so many members were away.—Mr, Massey said his side was in the same' position, but perhaps it would be bet-1 ter to defer the matter till later. He | would bring a clause down by Gover-j nor’s message, giving the Cheviot settlers the right to acquire the freehold on the same terms as other Crown tenants.—Mr Forbes moved a new clause providing for the election of members of land boards by members of the House for the districts affected. —The clause was not accepted by the Premier and lost.—The Bill then passjed its committee stage. I Various bills were reported without

amendment, wore read a third time,

ami passed. On tlie third reading of the Land Bill, Mr Isitt condemned the manner in which a small reserve on Cheviot had been put np to auction instead of by ballot, so depriving a number ol small men of the opportunity of getting sections. He also referred in condemnatory terms to the cutting up of the Scargill grazing runs, in which the holders were given original areas after the Land Board had recommended that provision be made for four additional settlers.

The Premier, in reply, denied that be was in any way influenced by political considerations. Ho had acted entirely on the recommendations of the officials of the Department.—The Bill was then read a third time and passed.

The House rose at 11.53 p.m