PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 233, 29 October 1903, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

—-♦ LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. WxDssaaiY, October 28. The Oounci'. met at 2.80 p.m. The managers of the third conference on the State Fire Insurance Bill report*! they had agreed that the Bill should be returned to the Council in order that clause 24 in dispute be i further considered. The Conference considered the amendment an improvement to the measure. Sir A. J. Oadman said it wag for the Council to state whether the Bill should be abandoned or not. _ Hon. W. U. F. Carnorogs said the time had come for the Council to be firm. The Attorney-General thought it possible both Chambers could meet one another half way. He moved that the Bill be returned to the House with the amendment printed in antique type. After farther discussion Hon. G. Jones moved the adjournment of the . debate to give the Government an opportunity to further consider the matter. This was carried. The Water Power, Animals Protection Amendment, Native Townships, Single Electorates, and Military Pensions Amendment Bills were read a third time and passed. The New Zealand Institutes Bill was amended in Committee by striking out " for the advancement of science " after the title and progress was report* d. In Committee on the Products Exports Bill to provide for inspection of products for export, •« hops " were included in the term " products " and the Bill was reported. The amendments made by the House in the Crown Grants and Counties Act ! Amendment Bills were agreed to. A new clause was inserted in the Local Bodies Loans Amendment Bill to the effect that where an alteration of ! boundaries ct any district, any area , over which a special rate is made as security for a loan comes within the distrust of the local authority other than the authority that made the rate, then ' with respect to such area there shall be ' deemed to be a merger for the purposes of section 11 of the Act of 1902. !

The Bill was reported, and the Coun eO adjourned at 5 p.m.

HOSE

WransDiY, Ocxobsr 28,

The Heme met at 2.30 p.m. A Bill to make better provision for secondary schools was introduced by Governors menage, and read a first time. Mr Keddon explained that the Bill had been before the Education Committee since early in the session, and all were agreed that it was a good Bill. There was nothing in the measure to give public money to astis' private schools. BEPLm 10 QUUItOHS. In reply to questions Ministers Mated that enquiries will be made in . to the ease of lreal bodies that have illegally made payments for Coronal ion purposes, and legislative action will be taken if it is found necessary to do bo ; that it is not the intention of Governuftnt to bring down a proposal to amend the law in the direction of re during exemption under the Land Act, nor u it intended to make lease in perpetuity holders pay land tax; that it is not intended to bring down legislation generally affecting the banking laws of the colony; that question of charge* for conveyance of dairy products between Rew Zealand and London is having the dose attention of the Government, and the Premier hopes to make a definite announcement on the j subject shortly; that there is reasoi " for considering the advisability of re moving or lessening the duty on flour, and the matter will be inquired int< with a view of action being taken if found advisable when the tariff is nex> dealt with.

stati ma asasAscs. Mr Seddon moved that the report of the third conference on the amendments in dispute in the State Fin Insurance Bill be agreed to, and that danae 24 (the money clause) be referred back to the Council. Mr Metsey said be was glad the \ Premier had expressed his determination to see the House stand by the I position it had taken up against any* infringement of its rights by the other Chamber. *lhe motion was carried. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

A lengthy discussion ensued on the constitution of the legislative Council. Mr Seddon said the agitation for the reform of the Council came from the rabid prohibitionists In regard to the appointments, the Government was merely carrying out the constitution as they found it. Members would be surprised to learn tbat in his opinion, after years of experience, no Council was required at all under the alterrd circumstances. He had come to the conclusion, after looking back on tho work of the Council ami tbe rt vision it bad exorcised, that it should be abolished, and in its stead shcu'd be established a body with a high knowledge of constitutional practice, and with an extreme legal knowledge. This body should have no power at all except to point out where any effect in tended by the Houte would not be secured. The question could be placed before the peopl« by referendum, The House rose at 5.30.

Etehkgi Sitting. The House resumed at 7,30. Mr. Scddon stated he intended to devote next Monday evenkg to local Bills. Mr. Hall-Jones moved that the amendments made by the Council in the Water Power Bill be disagreed with. Mr. Symes moved eg an amendment, that the clause ez-mp*ine 'he H■• nera County Electric Lighting C< mpauy from tba provisions of the Bill be +j agreed to. After two hours discussion, Mr Byrnes' amendment wag lest on the casting vote cf the Speaker, and Mr Hall-Jones' motion was sgieed to. BCKNSBY PRESERVATION. Amendments made in Committee in the Scenery Preservation Bill came up for consideration. A motion by Mr Ma?sey, to recommit the BiH *o cons'rier clnusp 6, was negatived by 39 to 28, the amendments agreed to, and the Bill parsed its final stages. Amendments made in Committee in the Lmd and Income Assessment .d c? Amendment Bill were agreed to, and the Bill passed its final stages. The House rose at mi'cight.