LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 225, 5 October 1901, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

PARLIAMENT, j

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.

Friday, 4th Ootober. ■'£s£s , The Council met at 2.30. p.m. The School Attendance Bill was read a third time nni passed. The Mortgages of Land Bill passed through committee. Hon. W. O. Walker moved the second reading of the Money Lenders Bill. Hon. Lee-Smith termed the Bill contradictory and full of flaws. Hon. Bigg would support the Bill. The debate was adjourned. In laying on the table the return of the cost of landing blood horses from England, Hon. W. C. Walker replied to Hon. J. D. Ormond's criticism, saying that the Government desired to import not racing stock but weight carrying, hard - going, short - length horses suitable as remounts. The Council rose at 5 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Fbiday, 4th Ootober. The House met at 2 30 p.m. Mr Haselden was granted a week's leave of absence on account of urgent public business. A Bill, to provide temporarily for the government of Cnok and other islands in the Pacific within the boundaries of the colony of New Zealand, was intro duced by the Governor's message, and read a first time, and the other Bills dealing with the same subject were, on the Premier's motion, discharged from order piper. Mr. Hall-Jones gave notice to move , that a select comiiitten of twelve members' be set up, to which shall be%eiferred the Shipping and Seamen's Bill.

The Land Act Amendment Bill (Duncan) were introduced and read a first time.'

It was resolved Mat nf'er Monday next, the House ait at 7.30 p.m. on Mondays; for'the transaction of GoAernment business) only. Mr. Saddon said he though 1 ; they ought to get the Local Government Bill through this season, and he would endVavour to get it under way aa soon as possible. The Public Works Statement would not be brought down until the ordinary estimates were out of the way.

Messrs G. J. Smith ami Flatman suggested the adjournment of the House for a few days to enable members to attend the Ohristohurch carnival.

Mr. Pirani gave notice to move the following amendments in the Licensing Bill:—"Clubs to be subject to police inspection; abolition of bottle licenses ; abolition of conditional licences; amended definition of bona fide traveller ; establishment of a fair rent board for licensed houses; bitter notification and identification of prohibited per dons.

In reply to questions, Ministers stated that the Old Age Pensions Act Amendment Bill would provide that local deputy registrars might, in lieu of the Stipendiary Magistrate, sign warrants for the payment of pensions; that as soon as the Manawatu Railway; Company removed the £2 1,000 embargo the Government would be prepared to consider the question of purchase of the line; that Government would nob this session introduce legislation to enable small borough councils to pay out of rates any retiring allowances to officers of suoh councils; that the Government had come to the conclusion that what was wanted in making further oil* to the Legislative Council was representation of small farmers;,that no member of the Ministry had any interest whatever in any meat freezing company; that there was no immediate intention of abolishing District Courts; that the question of Supreme Court Judges going on circuit was under consideration; that the Government was considering the very important question of whether civil servants generally should bi compelled to retire aft a certain age ; that legislation was necessary to compel the municipal corporations of the colony to,establish markets for produce, bat it was doubt- ■ ful whether anything could be done in the matter this session. Mr Millar asked the Minister for Labour if bis attention had been drawn to the report that the Colonial Sugar Company are importing Parsee fitters, blacksmiths, and carpenters to take the Jplaca of Britishers at present employed in their sugar mills at Fiji. Mr Seddon replied he had received a communication on the subject, and while regretting very much that in Fiji, fo near our own colony, these Parsees should be introduced, at the same time, so far as this colony was concerned, we were not entitled to interfere, Fiji being a Crown colony. It was not desirable to disturb relations between the Commonwealth and this co'ony, and thosa entrusted with the control of affairs in Fiji. | When the order paper had been cleared of all questions, Mr Millar moved '-he adjournment of the House in order to urge upon the Government the necessity for making better provision for the inspection of coal mines of the colony. Hon, McGowan also spoke, and tha debate was ioterrup'ed by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment.

I Evening Sitting, . The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The School Attendance Bill was received from the Legislative Council, ard read a first time In Commi t<-e, On the Royal Visit Expenses Bill, at clause 2, which provides for repayment of i225Q to the Governor, Mr Atkinson slid the money should be given absolutely as a grant, or it should be specified what the amount was for, Mr Seddon said there was something in this contention, an,d moved an amendment in the clause describing the sum as « The amount of liability incurred o- expenses disbursed by the Governor."

Mr Herries suggested adding the words, " as advised by his responsible advisers."

Mr Seddon agreed, and the clause as amended was passed. The Bill was then reports! On the motion for third reading, Mr Hornsby ventilated a grievance. Mr Hutcheson exphuneJ that be voted agains l ; the Bill on the principle that only the Commons could grant supply, I Mr Pirani also spoke. I Mr Seddon, in replying, said he bad, for the sake of peace, doni his best to disarm hostile criticism, and prevent what had unfortunately taken place. The motion for the third reading was carried by 38 to 21, and the Bill passed its final stages, Hon, Jas, Carroll moved the eaoend

reading of tho Maori Relics Bill, to pi event the removal from the colony of, Maori relics and curiosities. He spoke of tbe necessity that existed for legislation in this direction, and advocated i the erection of the State Mustmm, in which could bo gathered all valuable | relics and curiosities, a suitable Eite being that portion of Parliament Grounds at present used as a tennis court. He was sure the native race would assist by making valuable contributions from their own collections, The Government did not wish to b> hard on those who dealt in Maori curios, and if the provisions of the Bill were regarded as being drastic in this respect, he was prepared to receive suggestions. for modifications. Although the State wanted the preemptive right to these relics, it was prepared to pay a good price for them. . A debate ensued, in which it. was stated that such articles as mats and walking sticks were developing into a Maori industry, the market for which Bbould not be cut off. Mr Napier advocated that people leaving the. colony should make a declaration that tbey were not taking away anything which was prohibited by the Act. Mr Witheford spoke. Mr Ell agreed with the suggestion that the Agent-General should be empowered'to buy Maori relics offered for sale at Home.