PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 15 August 1907, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 14. By Telegraph—Per Press Association, VIOUSE OF REPESENTATIVES. Uouse met at 2.30. i ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.

Jn reply to questions, Ministers stated that it was not intended to introduce any amendment to the Old Age tensions Act this session; that there f.re r a lew instances in which, neither sates ' nor strongrooms have been provided ' for clerks of the court in country did- l tricts, but the question of making provision for these conveniences, where , the importance of court records warrants, is receiving attention; that the question of establishing research scholarships and travelling scholarships Ins [ been under the consideration of the Co- I verninent for a considerable time, but no definite decision has yet been arrived at; that nothing could 1)0 done in the direction of providing Education Boards with a sum to cover the cost of postage of official communications between com- \ mittces and boards, and to adopt such , a course is likely to defeat the purpose , for which the '/franking" privilege w.iu i abolished.

The Otago Harbor Board Empowering Bill (Millar) was introduced and referral to the Local Bills Committee. The Premier introduced the Mcifelc Acquittal Bill. The whole afternoon wns taken up Irj discussion arising out of the petition referring to the Wangnmii Collegiate endowed school.

,The House adjourned at 5.30.

EVENING SITTING,

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTION BILL. The House resumed at 7.30The amendments made in Committee to the Legislative Council Election Ell were agreed to. On the motion for the third reading, Jlr Houston moved an amendment that the Bill he read this day six months. I Mr Heke opposed the Bill, and urged that the House ought to know the opinion of the Government on the Bill.

Mr Massey said that a majority vote given to the Bill in Committee was convincing proof Chat the electors of the country were opposed to the present system of appointing members of the Upper House.

The Premier said he should vote against the third reading, as he had opposed the Bill consistently. He did not think it would be fair to rote for the Bill to be read this day six: months. He was opposed to women being nominated for election to the House, but he had always supported women's franchise. In the hurley-burly of politics, he thought it undesiraWe that thjy should seek nomination to the House,' but he was certainly of opinion Vh.it in being eligible for appointment to the Upper House would allow of the experiment being tried in the matter of women legislators. He believed in Hie bicameral system, as in a young country it was necessary to have some cheek on legislation. He thought we could not have a better system than the existing one, in which the Government, with the majority of the peonle at its back, nominated the representatives to the Upper House. He should oppose the third reading, as he considered that the proposal set forth in it

were not better than the existing system. Mr Ell urged that one Chamber on'y • necessary. i- W. Fraser said he (lid not intend . support the third reading. The amendment was negatived on the voices. On a division the motion was carried by 35 to 28. Ayes (35) Messrs Aitken, Allison, James Allen, Arnold, Barber, Bollard, Calvin, Davcy, Kll, Fisher, Gray, Hunan, Hardy, Hogan, Izard, Lang, Layenson, Lawr'y, Lclhbridgo, lewis, McLaehlan, Mand'er, Massey, Okey, Poole, Rutherford, Ross, Seddon, Sidcy, Stevens, Symes, Steward, Tanner, Thomson, Wit Iv. Noes (28)— E.G. Allen, Barclay, Ben-

nett, Carroll, Dillon, Duncnji, Flatman, A. 1,. D. Fraser, W. Fraser, ('irecnslnde, Ilekc, Hornshy, Houston, Kidd, MeGowan, R. Mackenzie, McNab, McPh'Tson, Major, Millar, Ngat:i* Parata, Piland, Remington, Stallworthy, Willord. Ward, Wood. The Coal Mines Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. The Lamps on Vehicles Bill was committed. After a long discussion, the Premier at 10.50 p.m. remarked that it must be evident to all members that time was simply being wasted. He moved to report progress, and the motion was carried. On the motion to commit the- Accountants Bill, Mr Jas. Allen asked if the Government would take over the Bill. Mr A. L. B. Fraser, member in charge of the Bill, expressed the hope that the Government would take up the Bill. The Premier said the Government would circulate a Bill this session. The House adjourned at II p.m.