PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81837, 1 September 1906, Page 3

PARLIAMENT

FRIDAY, AUGUST 31. LEGISLATIVE COUKUiL. Per Press Association. The Council met at 2.30. On the motion of Hon. BAILLIE, a motion appreciative of Sir Jseph Ward's services at the Postal Conference at Rome, and expressing the hope that universal penny postage would soon be adopted, was carried. Alter eulogistic reference to the Postmaster General had been made by the Hons. Jones, Wigram, T. Kelly. Ba'.dy McDonald, and Bcehan, it was ordered that a copy of the resolution be forwarded to Sir Joseph Ward. Colonel PITT moved second reading of the Town Distils Hi':, amending the Act of I.SXI. He explained the provisions, which briefly are: The Governor may constitute any town district under the authority of the Town Districts Ac, 1004; every main road or county road within the limits of such district to be under the control of the town board. The apportionment of liabilities and assets are provided for. the board and county council to determine the matter, failing which the Govern 'r may appoint any fit person to make an award. Section 7 of the Town Districts Act, iSNi, is repealed. Where a town district becomes a borough, the corporation of such borough in respect of a!' property, rights, claims, and obligations, for all purposes shall be deemed to be the same corporatin as that which existed before its constitution as a borough. The Hon. SMITH said the Bill was very much required, and he hoped it would become law. One great advantage was th;it it would I d<> awav with a seoarate rate. Hons." BALDV and KKLDWICK also heartily supported the Bill, which was carried on the voices. Colonel PITT moved the second reading of the Firearms Bill, to prohibit the sale of firearms and ammunition and use thereof by youths under sixteen years of age. The mover said the measure was necessitate! I>y tin- numerous accidents which occurred through th<- uxc of firearms by youths. The lawful use- of tides or ammunition by school cadets was not prohibited. After a general discussion apprr dative of the proposal, the Bill waread a second time.

Colonel PITT moved the second reading of the Sale of K.xpYsives Bill, making better provision for refloating the sale of explosive-. Th* Minister c-xp!uin<-.I that the object was to make dealers more careful, and to ensure (lie regi-tn. tion of sales. Packages of explosives were to be markel "explosive?." and sale" are prohibited to any person under eighteen years of aire, or anv stranger except on the roromnvrdation f.f some witness who is known to the vendor. The second reading was agreed to. The second reading of the Fisheries Conservation Acts Amendment Hill was move! bv C'oW'i PITT. It ;"i;»nds the Act of i0,0.t, so as to pp-vrnt pollution of rivers and wateis. ;mrl provides for regulations, restraint. Ihr sale of fish. whether fro/' n. rlii'M or not. during the close season: fir the inspeciion of frying chambers and refrigerating works, and for pro'iilvtinn or regulating th" export of trout, salmon, or oth"r af.'imatised fish.

Hon. JEN'KIN'SON protested that I the Bi'l r nscrve! th- !n erests of a fnv j> "p'o to tho detriment of

farmers, millers, ec. The second reading was agreed to. Tin- MINISTER, roplying to tiic Hon. Jones, said no arrangement had been entered I into w'th the Underwriters' Association respecting fire insurance charges. He declared that the establishment of ihe Department had effecte' a saving to the people of the colony of ;£ 150,000. The Council adjourned at 4.15 to Wednesday week.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30. CHAIRMANSHIP OF COMMITTEES. The PREMIER moved the appointment of Mr R. MacKenzie. Mr JENNINGS moved an amendment in ihe direction of substituting the name of Sir W. Steward in the resolution. The House divided on the question of retaining the name of Mc MacKenzie, and the name was retained by 4' l " 37. Mr MACKENZIE thanked the House for the honour done him, and promised fairness and justice to a'l, and hoped he would have the support of the HouseSir \V. STEWARD congratulated the new Chairman, who, lie was sure, would fulfil the duties with credit to himself and the satisfaction of the House. At the same time lie fe't bound to say that the numbers recorded for him on the division list proved that he was justified in assenting to the request of a large number of members to allow himself to be nominated. The division showed that but for the votes of the Government itself, the majority would have been in his favour. Personally, he was sorry that he had found himself himself in oppos'tion to the nominee of a Government with whose members he had worked so long. ADJUSTMENT OF REPRESENTATION. On the motion for going into Supply, Mr MASSEV called attention to the important question of the readjustment of electoral boundaries in accordance with the provisions of the Representation Act. He did not know if any report has yet been made, but he reminded the Government that within three months after the presentation of a report from the Registrar General, the Representation Commission must set to work to adjust the electorates. Accordingly he hoped that when that time came the Commissioners would pay more attention than heretofore to commun. itv of interes.t and natural boundaries. 'Mr T. McKENZIE complained of the want of community of interest under the present arrangements. The PREMIER said thai no report has yet been rendered, that when the report is forwarded the Commissioners will no doubt do their duty, and they are by law in a position of independence. REGISTRATION OF BIRTHS EXTENSION. This Bill was committed and reported with one amendment, namely, the reduction of the registration fee from £1 to 5/. The amendment was agreed to . JURIES ACT AMENDMENT BILL. Hon. Mr McGOWAN moved the second reading, explaining the scope, namely, the extension to civil case* of the provisions now in force on the criminal side. ADOPTION OF CHILDREN BILL The Bill was committed Mr. Baume moved to report progress. He did so because the Minister refused to drop clause 2, which prevents adopting parents from receiving premiums, etc. He said the clause would absolutely prevent the adoption of children in manv deserving cases. Mr BARCLAY seconded the motion, not quite liking the clause. Mr REID suggested postponing the Bill to ,1 later hour. Hon. Mr McGOWAN had no objections to report progress, but he would not drop the clause. Mr MAJOR urged the advantages of reflection. Mr FISHER wished to know where the Minister would put the Bill on the Order Paper in case of postponement. An informal discussion followed on this point. Ten o'clock was mentioned, the Prime Minister pointed out that that would, in the absence of an understanding as to reasonable discussion. onW facilitate talking the Bill out. He objected to threats or obstruction, but not to reasonable discussion. After further discussion on the point, the discussion on the motion to report progress proceeded. , Mr WILFORD said every form of the House would be used to prevent clause 2 from passing. At S.-35 the motion was lost. Ayes 21, noes 42. After an unsuccessful proposal from the Minister in charge of the Bill to have the Bill postponed for a while Mr MACLACIILAN moved that the Chairman leave the chair at 9. The motion was lost, 16 to 48. The first clause was passed, and on the motion of the Minister progress was reported FIRE BRIGADES BILL. This Bill was committed, and irj clauses passed, the last with an amendment proposed by Mr Fisher making the Board responsible for wi'ful or negligent damage to water mains, etc., during the extinction of fire or fire drills. The above Bill were reported to the House and the House adjourned :, t 1 i.ic p.m.