PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 193, 28 August 1903, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

PSa PEBSS ASSOCIATION. «■ LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thuesday, Augdst 27xh. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Oounlies Act Amendment Bill was road a third time and p .ssed. Tha Dxiry Act Amendment Bill (Attorney-General), extending the operation of the AcS to March, 1008, was read a second time. The Attorney-General moved the second reading of the Wireless Tele* grapby Bill to provide for the establishment and control by the Governmeut of wifeless telegraphy stations. The Hjn. Lie-Smith thought encouragement should be given to private persons to enter upon scientific) experiments. lion. Jonkinson contended that the clause providing for the forfeiture of [ plant erected without the consent of : the Government was too drastic. Hon. Twomey thought the BiH should provide for wireless telegraphy within the colony as well as bayond. The Attorney-General, in replying', said the Government must have absolute right of control. It was unlikely ( anyone would be injured by Bill. The Eleotrio Lines Aot would enable the Government to establish wirelest telegraphy within the colony. The second reading was agreed to. The Interpretation Act Amendment Bill was referred back to the Statutes Provision Committee. The Inspection of Machinery Bill was referred back to the Labour Bills, Committee. The Council rose at 3.20 p.m.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Wedhesdat, Auour 26th. Af tar the telegraph eflSLoe dosed, discussion on Sir William Russell's Rabbit Nuisanoa Act Amendment Bill continued at great length. A good deal of hostility was displayed towards the Bill, owing to ths drastio nature of clause 5. At midnight, Sir William Steward moved that the Ohairmva leare'the chair, with the obfeot of killing the Rill, This was lost by 21 to 18, and eventually it was agreed to report progress on the Bill. The House rose at 1.15 a.m. Thursday, August 27th. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Hone Heke was was sworn in and took his seat. The Taranaki Sohool Oommissionen and Borough Exchange Bill (E. M. Smith), and Arch Hill Gully Watershed Drainage Bill (Fowlds) were introduced and read a first time. In reply to questions Ministers stated that the owners of estates suitable for closer settlement wanted too muoh for them, and if the Government took them oompulsorily the owners took the "heart" out of them. The Government were only prepared to bay at the fair market vulua. That the whole question of injuring employees under me Shipping and Seamen's Act was* under the consideration of the Government Life Icsuranoe Department. That the Premier was satisfied the great majority of the members of th» House were prepared to give a preferential tariff to the Mother Country. The House rose at 5.30 p.m.

Evenihq Srirraa. < The Houg9 resumed at 7.30 p.mi BUPBHHI OOCBt JUDOBS. When the order of the day for ttul committal of the Supreme Court Judges Bill was called on, Mr Moss moved tbab it be an insruotion to the Committee to consider a new clause providing for appeal before Ist March, 190 ft, against decisions of tne High Court of the Cook Islands, in any case decided before 18th May, 1902. Mr Seddon said this was really an amendment of the Cook and other islands Government Act, and had no'hing to do with tbe Supreme Court Judges Bill. After two hours disouesion, Mr Mom' motion was negttived by 47 votes to 15, STATE FIBE INSCEAHOE. The State Fire Insurance Bill waa committed. At Clause 3, Mr Massey asked when it was proposed to raise the neoesaary money to start the offioe. Mr. Seddon replied the Act would not be operative until tbe money waa available, and the Government would not obtain the money until it waa ready. to do so.

Mr. A. L. D. Fraser pointed out tbe disabilities the State Department would be subjected to if it eould nob obtain reciprocal treatment from other companies, and he asked whether any arrangement had been made with the other oompanies. Mr. Seddon quoted the case of •> house in Dorsetshire, England, being insured in a certain office operating hero for 2s per £IOO, while the insurance of a similar buildiDg in New Zealand would cost from 10* to 16a. He said the time had arrived for the Stat* to stop the huge premiums charged in soma districts of the colony, He waa not yet in a position to consult with the other oompanies, nor the companies with him, as to the relations between the Government Department and the companies.

Mr Laurenson thought the State could reduce the premiums 33j p.r .«nt.

In rep'y to Wilfotd, Mr Seddon said the State would go outside the present combine for re-i surancec.

Mr Thos. Mackenzie considered State Fire Insurance would break down one of the cruellest monopolies that had ever extracted money from the people of New Zealand. (Left sitting.)