PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 206, 20 August 1908, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

WJiDiNJiSUAX, AUUUbJ.' i|). LUULULATtVIi COUNCIL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington,. Lust Night, lhe Legislative Council adjourned, niter a brief sitting, as a murk of respect to tlio lute Air, J/eldwiek. A VIUJS 01'' QJMJULKA'CK luc Attoi uey-Uoncral, in luovin" <i v°tu of condolence to deceased's family, paid a high tribute to Air. FeliliH'iek as a legislator, journulist, and volunteer. ■KLPLYiNG TU QUKVIION& ■Replying to questions, tihe Hon. findlay stated the Government had - jlt) ; a . tention of introducing a muchanieal process" for the conduct of general elections. The newspaper rejiorts regarding the workers'at Broken liivcr, Cliristchurch, he said, could not lie 10garded as facts. 'idle Government's information proved that tliow genuinely desiring work were still at work and making fair wages. Those who preferred agitation and notoriety had returned to the greater comfort ol town We. The Attorney-General also stated that those desirous of availing tlil'mselves of the privilege of travelling with workers' tickets on railways must comply with the regulations concerning the issue of the same anil travel by trains reaching their destination by 8 a.m.; that the Govehiment couhl not see their way to place iron-working machinists on the same grade of pay as wood-,working machinists; that'a reduction of the mini-

mum Uioliday excursion fares cannot lie approved; that until the Brennau • mono.rail system lias emerged from , the experimental stage it would be un- ' wise of the Government to attempt to ' introduce it into New Zealand; that tho matler of acquiring large iron ore ■ deposits at I'arapara was under the Government's consideration, but the Government preferred that private enterprise should be first exhausted; tlint thero was 110 nuthority for tho extension of native game shooting; that the Government are not satisfied tlrnt the giving of right of appeal to the' Supreme Court to persons aggrieved by the decisions of the Native Land Court and Compensation Court would improve matters; that informal,ion re-

carding «00l piice.n sni»ji!i."il liy the High Commissioner is as reliable as the quotations from other sources; that the question of introducing the Trades Monopoly Bill to combat the Standard Oil Co. will be considered by the (Joveranient; that the Dairy Department is not prepared to have a comprehensive system introduced of testing ami recording the milk yield of any cow noininaied for entry in the district in the Daily Herd Hook, but the dairy in-j spectors'lately appointed will be instructed to advise and assist dairyman as much as passible to improve their herds; that in any scheme for medical inspection of schools provision would be made for the examination of teeth of school children.

HOUSE OF itKi'KIiSKM'ATIVEB. The House resumed at 7-30. The Quackery Prevention Bill wan passed. I lie' Destitute Persons Act Amendment Uill was reported without awcushion.

In committee on the Counties Act Amendment Bill, a motion by the Premier that the Uovcrnor-in-Councii should be enabled to increase the' number of members at sittings on such councils, but not beyond twelve, was; agreed to. A motion to abolish plural voting at county elections was rejected by 30 to 23, The Bill was reported with the amendmeats. Tihe Municipal Corporation Act, 1900,. Amendment liill No. 2 was committed. Considerable discussion was evoked on tho proposal to extend the Parliamentary franchise to municipal electors. Mr. Fisher, who has charge of the liill, justified the principle of tho measure, contending that, the present law kept hone9t people oil the roll, and allowed dishonest people to be on. The Uil was reported with amendments. In committee on the Public Works Amondmen,t Bill, Sir. Joseph Ward proposed an amendment, in the direction of enabling local authorities to resume land for street widening in cases of narrow streets constructed by Order-in-Council under this Bill. Subsequently the amendment was withdrawn on tile understanding that the clause would be amended to make the width 40ft instead of 20ft. _ A proposal to amend clause 7 in the direction of giving local liodies greater powers to cut down trees at the corners of streets was negatived by 40 to 15. Sir William Steward moved a clause requiring owners to furnish a statement of claim. Tho proposal was defeated. , After a protracted discussion the Bill was reported with amendments. The House rose at 1--3 a.m.