PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 205, 25 September 1903, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

PER PRESS i3SOi;iATION. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday, September 24. The Oourcil met at 2.30 p.m. On thi motiou for the third reading of the Stata Fire lnsurauce Bill Hon. !S. T. Giorsjo consul. red it would be impossible for thfi Government to efltct reinsurances. Another -rriportant objection was that r<o' hing was sit aside lor reinsurance whereas the Comr> mea found it advisable to set aside 40 petcent. of t ii»> ne" premium income for that purpose. He moved the recommittal of the Bill to reconsider Ckusa 30 in order to have the chairman's ruling on thu ameudniont to that clause the previous d±y ropeatod and brought iii.der review.

Hon. J. Rigg said he was willing to have his ruling tested upon a direct motion.

After further discussion, Hon. G. McL'iun moved to report progress in order to have the chairman's ruling decided. This was agreed to and the next business proceeded with. The City Single Electorates Bill was committed, but progress was immediately reported to enable the AttorneyGeneral to further consider the proposed amendment. The Council adjourned at 4,30 p.m. BLOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, Septihbbb 23. After the Telegraph Office cloa&d the second reading of the Osastwise Trade Bill was carried by 31 to 16. The House rose at 1.40 a.m. Thuksday, September 24th. The House met at 2.30 p.m. SIB. CHAMBEHLAM'S BIPIiT. Mr Guinness stated he had received a cable from Mr Chamberlain, in reply, to a resolution passed by the House, saying he was deeply sensible of the high honour paid to him by the representatives if New Z aland.

NEW BILLS, i The Gaming and Lotteries Act i Amendment Bill (McGowan), and ; Labour Depart moat Bill (Seddon), i were read a fir fit tome. > The Public Domains Act Amend- , ment Bill (Duncan), was read a second i time pro forma and referred to the Lauds Com in i .tee. t COOK ISLANDS. i Hoo. 0. V). Mills moved the second i reading of the Cook and other Inlands Government Act Amendment Bill He explained that the Bill provided for the Llnnds of Niue and Riratong* in future baing etch administered direct from New Zealand. He believed there would be no more dissatisfaction after the Bill became law. There were great possibilities ahead after the islands had been better developed. The t twoers of the land were willing to let h l . to Europeans at a fair rental and he looked forward to a number of settlers go <ng there and ass s.ing to further de* relope the resources of the group v Tht ) revenue of the group had increased froi a £825 in 1892-3 to £6584 in 190 i 5-3. He thought if a fortnightly service was arrangod to the Islands that 1 1 great many people would visit chure, and he was now contemplating the establishment of a service from Wol.ii gton to Riratonga direct.

Mr 1 dairies consideied tint the Bill contairu no mora than the old mnkeshift art angament. He urged that the ordiaana ) precluding white men from being elei ted to or voting for the Federal Count :il should have been removed. He ooneid ered the whole tendenoy of the legislation was to plaoa greater tfiower in thi 3 hands of the executive. Mr Hone Heke considered thit until both European and native residents of the Islands Md direct representation in the New Zealand Legislature their grievances acid requiremeats would never be properly undei stood. Mr Hanan thought the bett9r plan would be to tack: the Oook group on to a New Zealand constituency. Mr Fowlds thought the connection of these Island* with New Zealand would be to the material and moral hurt of the Islands.

Messrs J. O. Thompson, J, W. Thomson, and W. Fraser spoke. Mr Massey admitted that the representation of the Islands in the New Zealand Legislature was the logical -outcome of the annexation of the group, biit on grounds of expediency he thought the special representation might, well be postponed for a very long time to come.

The debate was interiupted by the 5,30 adjournment. Evening Sitting, On resuming at 7.20, Sit 1 W. Russell pointed out that if in rhefuture tho Empire became embroiled in war with some muitime power, the duty would f]evalv« upon us of defending our dependencies, but we should h'.ve enough to do to defend our own I shores. Mr. Arnold considered annexation of this group was in the best interests of the natives. Mr. Barber supported the Bill. Mr. McLaohlan spoke. Mr. Major urged that the oolony should nob shirk the responsibilities it had 1 Mr Parata suggested that one of the leading chiefs should bs invited to visi*) this colony and make himself familiar with our foi ras cf Government, i Mr Flatmau believed the lelinda in the nsf>r future would provo aa acquisition. Hon. Mi!ls, in replying, said ths time had not come for a special representation of the Islands ia the New Zealand Parliament, but it might oome in time. He believed the Islands would be able to maintain themselves, but it would be for the House to coasider whether the oolony should not assist the to open up roads and and construct other necessary public work?, Ha considered that all the Islands in the South Paoific should be pars of New Zealand's territory, and he bolieved some of the members would ' live to sje that tike place. The second reading was agreed to on the voices.

NEW BILL?. The Midland Riilway Petitious Settlement Acs Amendment Bill, Sea Fisheries Act Amondment Bill, and a Bill for the creation cf a Department of Labour, and to dtfine thi powers . and duties thfreof were iutivducjd and read a first time. I WATER POWBB. I Hod. Hall-JoDes moved tbe seoond reading of tbe Water Power Bill to to provide for the vesting in tbe drown of waters for ekotrioal purposes. He and no country in the Southern Hemisphere wm >o favourably situated in

th'H regard as New Zealand. He expkini'd that it wan cot intended to interfere wit.li the supply of water for dmnaatio purposes. Ic was intended to d edicate the power to local authorities who might require to use it. An electrical expert was now on his way to New Zealand, and Parliatne&t must tee that proper provision was made for the control by the State of the water power of the colony. Mf. McNab said the Bill, in its prej > out form, would prevent a small I iarmer utilising a &tre«m, running through his property, for driving a (duff cuttor. [NJ t'. Hall-Jonej: That ii not my intention.] Mr. McNab urged that a minimum horse power t-hould be firort, under which the Bill | should not apply. ! Mr. Misaay did not objeot to the 'principle of the Bill, in its present turn ic went much further than the i Minister intended. ! Mr. Buddo would use every effort to ! retard its passage in its present fottn. | Messrs Taylor, Buchanan, and Witty ; *p'.'ko. I Sir W. J. Steward would have to [ oppose the Bill unless it was amended |ia the direction of safe-guarding irrigation schemes. (Left sitting.)