PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 31, 5 October 1915, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Per Press Association. Wellington, October 4. When fcho House mcl to-day ttc Min 'ister of Internal Affairs introduced' the Rating Amendment Bill, Lake !Coleridge Water Power Amendment Bill. and Municipal Corporation. Amendment Bill, ivhicli were read a first time. Sir J. G. Ward gave notice to introduce the Cost of Living Bill, and Hon. j \V. I l '. Masscy the Legislative Council Amendment Bill. The following Bills were introduced by Governor's Message and read a first time:—Reserves Disposal Bill, Mining Amendment Bill. i REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Sir J. G. Ward said he would con[sttlt with the Public Trustee to ascertain if the Department could undertake the preparation of wills of soldiers leaving for the war. Hon. W. F. Massey said the establishment of a criminal court of appeal would be considered during the recess. THE GAMING ACT. The Minister of Internal Affairs moved that the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Gaming Act be agreed to. The chief amendment, he said, was i" the direction of allowing the Wellington Racing Club to have a tolalisator permit, in place of one lost through the Club's grounds being utilised for the sick and wounded.

On a division the amendments were (j agreed to by 52 votes to 7. The amendments made by the Legis- v lative Council in the Birhs Registra- t lion Act were also agreed to. , t PETITIONS. J The chairman of the Petitions Cum- 1 mittee recommended that the petitions in reference to the competition between the National Provident Fund and Friendly Societies be sent to the Government for consideration, with a view to co-ordinating the bulk of the Friendly Societies and National Provident Fund, and a conference to be held at an early date. The report of the committee on the petitions praying that licensed bars be closed at 6 p.m. during the war affirmed that as a matter of policy was involved, it had no recommendation- to make, and suggested that the Government investigate the subject. MORTGAGES AMENDMENT BILL. Hon. A. L. Herdman explained the nature of the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Mortgages Extension Amendment Bill, and moved that Clause 8a be disagreed with, and that a committee consisting of Messrs Wilford, Lee, ami the Minister be appointed to confer with members from the Legislative Council.— Agreed to. KAURI GUM INDUSTRY. / The Prime Minister moved the second reading of the Kauri Gum Industry Amendment Bill, which proposed to give extended powers to the Minister in the purchase and sale of kauri gum. lie explained that owing to the war, the outlet for the sale of gum had been restricted, as our enemies were the principal buyers. It was

proposed to send commissioners with a complete knowledge of the trade to [America and Japan to negotiate fori J the sale of present stock. Areas of Crown lands may bo set aside for kauri gum-digging purposes, and such' land may be disposed of in areas not; (exceeding 3000 acres. A heavy pen-j ally is provided for the unlawful light-1 'jng of fires in kauri gum districts. i Messrs f. VV. Rhodes, J. G. Ooates, j IF Mander, 0. H Poole, and A. E. j 'Glover supported the Bill, agreeing' 'that it would promote settlement and! jthe industry at the same time. Messrs! lA. Harris, H. J. Thacker, and W. T.| Jennings also • supported the Bill, ! which was read a second time. j FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. Hon. J. A. Hunan moved the second reading of the'Friendlj Societies Bill, the principal clause of which provides for validation of the rules of consolidation of benefit funds. Messrs W. T. Jennings and It. A. Wright pointed out objections to the Bill, and thought a conference should be held: to give members of Friendly Societies an "opportunity to give their opinion | lupon it. ■ J Mr C. J. Pair contended that means ought to be provided to allow branches I that had been weakened in membership owing to the war, to amalgamate with larger branches. ~,, I Mr C J. Talbot hoped the Bill would go through, because it would j supply a want long left by societies.. He recognised that there must be "pooling" of funds to enable the highest rates of interest to be obtained. Mr A. H. Hindmarsh said the Bill was a vers important one, and should have been' brought down earlier in the session. He knew that some persons interested in friendly societies regarded the Bill as a most unjust measure. Mr It. Fletcher said the Minister would be wisely advised if he did not take the Bill past the second reading this year. Personally he strongly objected to the power given m the Bill to sue in the Magistrate's Court tot , penalties. . j The Bill was read a second time, on the understanding that a conference would be called during the recess. LAND LAWS AMENDMENT. The Premier thou moved the second reading of the Lands Laws Amendment Bill. He said this was not a policy measure in the ordinary sense of the word. There were only two contentious clauses, which had been approved by the Commissioner oi Crown Lands. Mr G. Witty said that a promise was made, on the formation of the National Government, that no contentious legislation was to be brought down. There were two or three, contentious clauses in the Bill which would be strongly opposed, and delay. ir.rst necessarily be caused. Hon. W. D. S. McDonald opposed Clause 14, providing for the revaluation of Crown Lands. He throught it would act unfairly to the man who had been in occupation for three years, and he hoped the Prime Minister! would give the point every consideration when the Bill was in committee. Messrs Buddo, Anstey, Scott, and Ell also spoke, and the second reading was carried on the voices. The House went into committee on the Kauri Gum Industry Amendment Bill, which was reported, read a third j time, and passed. 'she House rose at 12.40 a.m.