PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 213, 14 September 1901, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

PEB PBB6S ASSOCIATION. „ * LEGISLA.TIYE OODNOIIv Friday, 13th Septekbhb. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. It was resolved on the voices that he petition of the Wanganui Women's Political League praying for the direct election of members of Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards by the electors of the colony be referred to the Government for consideration.

When the Companies Bill came on for the third reading, Hon. Twomey secured its re-committal, and moved two new clauses: One, prohibiting [registration of any of any dredging company, unless a Warden or Inspector of Mines certifies that the claim has b?en thoroughly tested and has reasonable prospects of being payable; the other, providing that where a mining comptny is being wound tip, either on or after date of the passage of the BUI, the Court may, on application of 10 per cent, in value of shareholders, order its liquidation to be carried out by the Official Liquidator. Both clauses were rejected on the voices, and the Bill was then reported as amended.

The debate on the third reading enened, Hon. Twomey saying he had endeavoured to improve it from purely impersonal motives. Hon. Jones thought the Bill was not worth muob, and was inconsistent with its own provisions.

Hods. Louisson and Bolt protested that the tone of the debate had been exaggerated against companies and directors. Hon. Louisson said that whileau absolute safeguard against swindling was impossible, the Bill would be effoo•ive as a brake on the professional company-monger. Hon. Lee-Smith thought it extreme to call the Bill worthless if it hindered the class of transactions lately in evidence. Hon. W. 0. Walker denied that the Bill was either valueless or self-eon' tradiotory. The Bill was read a third time on the voices and passed, and the domett rose at 4.15 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Fbiday, 13th Sikkkbib. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Oaptain Russell was granted om week's leave of absence on account of ilne«.

Sir. Fowlda gave notice to move the* a Privilege Committee, oons'sting of the Speaker, the Premier, aid Captain Russell, be set up, to whioh shall be referred all casts of alleged breach of privilege, and no debate shall take place thereon by that committee. Mr. Seddon gave notioe to introduce the Old Age Pensions Aot Amendment Bill.

Mr. Hornsby moved that a breach of privilege of this House has been committed by the publication in the Manawatu Standard of 22nd October, 1900, of a leading article reflectingupon the conduct of members of this House.

The article was then read by the Olerk of the House.

Mr. Ell moved the adjournment of debate, which was lost by 39 to SO, and the debate proceeded. Mr. Jas. Allen moved the previous question with the object of shelving the motion, but withdrew it on Mr. Seddon moving a motion setting out that the House regrets the unoalled-for attack made on the honour of the House and members as contained in the article complained of, but that seeing the great length of time that has elapsed since the article was published and in* Hsmuch as referance was made to * portion of the same article by a member of thd House in the earlier period of the session and no action was taken therfon, the House does not see its way to pass a motion, and resolves that all reference to it, ether than Mr. Hornsby'* motion and this resolution, be expunged from the journals of the Hou-e and from Hansard,

Mr. Seddon'e motion was agreed to on tbe voices.

! Mr. Hone Heke resumed the financial debate. He contended that tbft. rules and regulations under tho Old I Age Pensions Act prevented Maoris receiving p»csions when they ware nql entitled to them. Aa to Mr. Kaihau's remtrks on the Royal visit, and to* act>on of the Government in regard to to the Maori "King" Mahuta, be df cried that gentleman's position, and said the Mioris never kaa# of kings, and that Mabuta was no king. He wan a chief of some rank, bat no one knew anything about his being a king exoepb those win owed allegiance to him.

The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.

Evening) Sitting. The Hou»e resumed at 780 pm, Mr. Carroll resumed tbe financial d«bate, and spoke in r-ply to Mr, Kaibau's speech of the pro vious evening. j He defended tbe Government from the charge of want of attention to tho .grievances of Maoris, and said the Government had spared ro time or a'teot'on in investigating the cause of the natives' grievances, the result being tli-it the various tribes reposed a confidence in the present administration which had never been given to any previous Government. Everything possible bad been done to remedy evils of the prist. With regard to the Nativo Lands Administration Act of last session Mr. Carroll pointed out that wben it wiis first brought down Mr. Kaihau was in favour of it, and his present attitude was mo it inconsistent. Tint Act had been approved by the Maori people. He defended tbe action of the Government in purchasing land from the natives, and cliimad it was better for natives to sell their land to tho S'a'e than to private individuals. He entirely disagreed with what Mr. Kaihau had sud about the treatment of " King " Mahuta at tbe time of the Royal vii-it, and expressed tbe opinion that Mahuta would have gone t* Rotorua had it not been for Mr. Esibau and those who were in league with him. The Government would continue to do all in its power for the good of tbe native race, and would make provision for landless natives of the North Island as had been done for those in tho South Island.

Mr. Sudden, en rising to reply and bring the debate to a close, nslted that, as he had some forty speeches to reply to, the indulgence of the House should be extnndfd to him for an additional time to that ullowod by the Standing Orders. Ah an objection was raised the Acting-Sp»aW ruled that he could not ncr.ept the proposal to suspend the Standing Order*. Mr. Seddon then proceeded with hie speech. He said there would be bo change of the policy pursued by (he

Government daring the last ten years. They mold stand by the workers in towns and the fanners in the country, and do their best for all classes. There would be a moderate borrowing policy, and reasonable expenditure on pub ic works at a moderate pace, preference being given to trunk railways and the roading of back blocks. The advances to settlers scheme must be pre s ei ved, and the colony's markets extended. With regard to labour legislation as far! as women and children were concerned ■ he asked the House to preserve the 45 hours per week, but as to men the i maximum should be kept at 48 hours,! leaving any alteration to the Arbitia- j tion Court or by arrangement between employer and employed. A good deal j bad been said about the policy of the late John Ballance; but those making those remarks had not quoted bis statement of 1892, in which he foreshadowed a policy of local borrowing to open up the country for settlement. Mr. Seddon contended that his Government had sot departed from that policy, and had borrowed in the colony when the London market was not favourable,