PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81852, 27 September 1906, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. ißy Telegraph.—Press Association.) The Council met a 2.30 p.m. Replying to the Hon. Beehan, the Alftorney-Genordi paid the whole question of extending the scope and usefulness of experimental farms was under consideration. • The Imprest Supply Bill was received from the House and \put through all its stages. Sir Maurice O'Rorke moved hia motion affirming the desirableness of returning to the provincial form of Government. In doing bo» _he referred to the manner in which tho provinces had been "sold." He spoke regretfully of the manner -in which the membership of (he Legislative Council was dwindling down. Twenty years ago the membership was nearly double what it was to-day. Last year it was 44; this year it was 34. It appeared to him like a. deliberate attempt to kill the Council. He advocated life membership of the Coun-

The Hon. W. Carncross seconded the motion, though he felt it was hopeless to expect to restore the old provincial institution. The Hons. Baillie,' T. Kelly, Rigg,

and Trask- held like views. Colonel Pittj in speaking generally v to the motion, indicated that the Government had not filled tho Council vacancies because there had been-"sib**" agitation for roform, but after the session, if no adverse motion was carried, stops wou'd have to be taken to do so. The Government had made no move to alter the constitution cf , the Council. On the motion of the Hon. Mr Jones, the debate was adjourned until to-morrow. / The Now Plymouth Borough anil Taranaki School Commissioners Exchange Bill (T. Kelly) was read asecond time, and the Motor Regulation Bill No. 2, was put through Committee and without) amendment. On the motion of the Hon. Camcross, the second reading of Mr .Kirkbride'a Government Valuation of Land Act, received from the House, was read a second time, and the Council rose at 4.40 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. In questions, the more important answers were, \hat as to whether "Racing Clubs and others who sell tickets on tho tota'isator should ba prevented from doing so" (Mr EU's question), legislation dealing with the matter will be placed before * the House this session; if oil (Taranaki oil fields) bo found in sufficient quantities, tho Government will take care that the interests of the colony are protected, and the full benefit to the public obtained; it is not proposed to coriipel retirement from the railway service at 60 years of age, and id would be unjust to punish tho refusal to retire of men who aro quite able to go on working, by compelling the acceptance of a lower salary; tho proclamation against importation og tho potato inoth ts now ready. NOTICES OF MOTION.

Mr Alison moved for a return i showing' tho names of persons and companies who are owners of land in the Auckland provinco of the unimproved value of 50,000 and over, i ; (Tho motion, having been extended I to the whole colony, was agreed t0..) A long discussion on Mr Baume's motion for a return showing th« names of landowners over ,£50,000 unimproved va'ue (objected by tho government) \vas interrupted by the dinner adjournment. RECIPROCITY TREATY: One week's extension of tomo was " given to the Extension ef Commerce Committee for further consideration of tho treaty, The House adjourned at 5.30. EVENING SITTING, The House st 7.3 a EMIGRATION RESTRICTION act. amendment bill i (In Committee.) Tho Hon. Mtf ' McQowan objected to tho Bill as too - an< * o k ta ' ne d some support. Mr Sidcy proposed to amend by reducing the period of exclusion of : , criminals from 3 years to 2, and in-{-.teasing- the minimum of the diaquaItymg sentence from one year to two. With this amendment the Bill passed through Committee. 1 The and Other Frauds [ Prevention Bill was committed. Mr 1 Hornsby in charge, , A motion by Mr Wilford to clear t&g ' Ba ii en^ s - , was dcfe ated by 26 to Mr Auken suggested that the Bill ought to be placed in the hands of tlie Government, ant! suggested its inference to a Committee. Mr Barclay pointed out that th« amendments placed on the Supplementary Order Paper showed that ' the Government had practically taten up the BiU, and Mr Hornsbv refused to accept the reference t 0 tho Committee.

A long discussion ensued, 'after which tho first clause w-ic a™, j j by altering- the title f rom « The Q n * e< J and Other Frauds !• Bill, iQof.," to "The Medical Frauds Prevention Act, ig o (j » rauds t( Tho division, taken at 9.20, was 42

U'.sr to r?vvTLr"Board consiiiuicd „ nd „ t| J, W At a f, Tl rt th p Hst . cf At n. 10, the Premier advised tho y member charge not to persevere ' as there was no chance of progresses' m the face of 8o much opposition, and it was his intention to K f r n future Wednesday be taken for Government business. Progress was reported, and the House adjourned at i M{l