PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 189, 31 July 1908, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

TIIUiiSDAV, JULY 30. HOUSE OF REPUESEiNTATIVES,

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The lions-..' met at 2.:I0. ' The Minister for Lauds laid on the table papers relating to certain land transactions in the city of Wellington between the (iovornment and the City Council and from Kennedy, MacHonald and Co. Mr. Fisher, who had willed for the papers, said (ho transactions revealed that there had been unwittingly committed a breach of the Land Act'in selling Crown Lauds to private individuals without competition. Moreover, in regard to the exchange of land, the Covcrnnicnt had been misled as to the nature of the exchangvs, and been led to sell land at £IOO a perch to Mr Mad) onahl.who refused £420 a perch for the same. Mr. Massey said if the facts were as stated, evidence, of criminal negligence was disclosed, and shady transactions had taken place, and there should be full enquiry by the House. The Premier said the (lovenimeiit courted the fullest enquiry, as according to their light what had been done was right and honorable. lie suggested that the matter be referred to the Lands Committee, which should commence an inquiry to-morrow, and report as quickly as possible. Mr. MeXab moved hi this direction. I ■ and the motion was carried. The second reading of tin- \\'< stport Harbor Hill (Mr. Colvin) was agreed to The Christ.church City Sanitation Bil ' (Mr. (ii'.'iv) was read a second tune. Mr. till" moved the Second reading o ' the Town Districts Act Aurendnien

■'■ Bill, to make the qualification of elcc- ' tors those prescribed by the Municipal < Corporations Act. 1000, and also Do * make the conduct of the elections come '' I under Hie provisions of thu Local (!o- '■' vernment Act. 100-1. The second rond- ' ing was agreed to. >' The. Local Elections Act Amendment r Bill (Mr. Steward) and Lamps on Vehicles Bill (Mr. Major) were read a • second tinivs undeleted. \'„ Mr Izard's Public Works Act Amond,e ment Bill, to enable local authorities ■d under certain conditions to take land I" compulsorily for the purposes of maltin ing roads or slivcts, was read a second of timo. .. ... „

The second reading of the Companies Act (Mr. Ell) was read and referred to the Public Accounts Committee. Mr. llornsby moved the second readins of the Quackeries Prevention Bill. 'the dinner adjournment interrupted the debate.

EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr. llornsby continued his remarks upon the second reading of the Quackeries Prevention Hill, laying great stress upon the. injury done by the unrestricted sale of qua'ck nostrums. The object of the Bill is Solely to checkmate this, and prevent the sale ol noxious appliances or worthless and harmful drugs, the latter of which costs scores of infant lives. Dr. Chappie, speaking from a medical standpoint, strongly supported the Bill and s.poke strenuously of the pernicious effect of quack drugs and advertisements.

The Bill was read a second time on the voices. Mr. LaurenSon moved the second reading of the Licensing Polls Absolute Majority Bill, contending that as absolute majority ruled in all other sections it should do' so, in reSpccl to the licensing polls. Although opinion was strongly in favor of no-license, it had only been carried ill six 'electorates. Mr. Unthcrford opposed the Bill on the ground of the expense imposed on licensees to provide accommodation asked bv the committees.

Mr. McXnb opposed the Bill on Hie ground that turmoil and unrest was occasioned in constituencies by a bare majority. He said that in future it woiild be the trade party which would ask for a bare majority, as it would lie the only chance of getting back licenses.

Mr. James Allen opposed the Bill on the ground of the unrest occasioned by it. I'hc law would not be effective under bare majority. Dr. Chappie vigorously opposed the Bill, and said the rule of bare majority was tyrannical, not democratic, .stability was essential to make the law effective. The three-fifths majority was indispensable in the interests of tem-

perance. Mr. Hall thought they must guard against the conlisciifion of property a3 the result of a catch vote. Mr. Malcolm supported the Bill in a strong lio-liceuSu speech. Mr. llornsby said the no-license party were committing a tactical blunder. "

Mr. fisher strongly opposed the Bill as a tactical blunder, likely to cause ceaseless unrest. The progress of nolicense had been satisfactory, lie was earnestly opposed to the liquor traffic, but. the present measure would not further the cause ho had at heart. , The Prime Minister said it was obvious a general Licensing Hill would engender interminable discussion judging by this debate. There was no time in the last session of Parliament to deal with the liquor question. On this particular question a large Majority, of members had pledged themselves to support the present law. It would be a retrograde step for a matter of this kind to be dealt with bv a private Bill.

[The debate was being continue! when the telegraph office closed.]