PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 194, 6 August 1908, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

WEDNKSDAI, AUUUST 5. UOLSL 01' KEi'KLSI:..\IAXiVES. By Tolegraph.—Press Association. ! Wellington, Lust Night. Ms Joseph Warn, rcicrnng to tile ] many applications received to aceonpany the Parliamentary train to Auckland, explained lliaf, it wa, abdoluteh impossible to accede to ttieni. in tUe present slate of tile line, aeavv uu . gmes could not he used, and extra )*>■ senger trains oyer the line wer- inipossible. lieplymg to questions, Alinis(o--< sad it is not intended to erect anv further sawmills near the -North island Main Trunk line at present; it is doubtful wlietlier a .Municipal Corporations Bid will be introduced this session, and in any case such Bill would be limited to pressing amendments; it j s intended to circulate ih c .National Superannuation Bill this session; an amendment of the I'ire Brigades Act to give boards power to borrow for the purehaso of additional property is under consideration; it is intended to place all casual railway employees, with continuous service of over live years, on the permanent stall'. Some complaint (having been voiced by the Leader of the opposition as to tile administration of St. Helen's Maternity Home, at Auckland, in regard more especially to the treatment 01 indigent women, the Hon. I'owlds diefended the Government's position in the mutter, stilting that it had never bsen asserted by the Government that these hospitals were to lie used for indigent eases. The agitation raised was purely 'political. Thesu hospitals now, quite as much as ever, came under the purview of the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Boards. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. and resumed at 7.30 p.m. ' The committee's report on the Local Elections Act Amendment Bill was considered. Some discussion took place on the advisability to abolish the optional system of voting in favor of making the. croSsing-out system compulsory. The i'riine Minister deprecated the proposal, which was lost on division. "The Bill wa3 read a third time and passed. Jt On the Town Districts Act Amendment Bill some objection was raised to the principle of the Bill by Opposition members in that it assimilated town districts into municipalities. The Prime Minister approved the principle of the Bill. Considerable discussion followed. Several machinery amendments wer« introduced. The Bill 'was reported with the amendments. The Carriers' Bill, No. 2, was committed. Those residing over live miles from a registered farrier were exempted. 'The Bill was reported in committee.

In tile Lamps on Vehicles Bill, Mr. Major, on the motion of the Prime Minister, agreed to withdraw the Bill, provided it was made a Government measure later. Progress was reported. A Bill to authorise the validation of eertain expenditure )>y local authorities in connection with the visit of the American fleet was introduced by Governor's Message, and read a first time. . On the motion of Sir Joseph Ward, it was agreed that (he House should adjourn till Wednesday, 10th inst., at ,2.30 p.m., instead of Tuesday, 18th, as previously arranged. The House rose at 11.49 p.m.