PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 207, 21 August 1908, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Lust Night. The Legislative Council mot ut 2.2!) l>.m. The Attorney-General said there was no intention of introducing the cheek system existing in Victoria in respect to the Post Oilice Savings Bank withdrawals.

A motion for a return of the amounts paid to private individuals for the rent of public ollices was lost. The lion. i\lr. Burr's motion that the Government devise means whereby the heavy cost of living borne by married workers, as compared with single men, may be lessened, was interrupted by the 4 o'clock rule. The Council decided to insist on its amendments to the Incorporated Societies Bill with which the House disagreed. The Council adjourned ut 4.10 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.lift p.m. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time:—Alurchison County (R. McKenzie) and Otago Heads , Native Reserve Road (E. G. Allen). The Westport Harbor Board Loan Bill (Col- , vin) was read a third time and passed. The Prime Minister stated that the financial position of the Board was highly satisfactory. The C.hristehurch City Sanitation Einpowcring..Bill (Gray) was read a third time and passed. The Onmaru Town Hall, Gasworks Sites, and Recreation Reserves (Duncan), Oamani Harbor Hoard Loan (Duncan), and Christehurch City Betterment Bill (Gray) were put through committee stages. The latter Bill gave rise to a protracted discussion upon the extent of the powers which municipal corporations should possess to take land 'or street-widening and other purposes. Eventually, by the retention of a new provision added to section 13 of the Bill by the Local Bills Committee, the principle was affirmed that such powers should bo confined to eases where owners' consent was given. The Bill was reported with amendments. The Oamarn Reserves Bill was read a third time and passed. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. The House went Into committee of supply on the vote •'Printing and stationery £40,2/0." Complaints were mado about printing the rolls in Wellington, Mr. Hall-Jones defended the system , as being of advantage. . Some members suggested the return

to tho old system of striking tin- I mimes of those who (lid not vote at an I election off the roll. That was the best means of purging the rolls. Mr. Hall-Jones thought such criticism should be urged when the electoral vote was under discussion. 'l'lie vote passed unaltered. Stamps and Deeds, £3B,3l)l—Passed without discussion. Native Department £2B,222—Air. ■Malcolm moved to reduce the vote bv £1 as a protest that sullieient imormation was not given to the House concerning the Department. Mr. Carroll quoted statistics to show what a largo amount of work the Native Land Court had done. Mr. Parata thought the Native Land Court Bendh should be 'Strengthened to expedite business. Mr, Merries thought tho status of Native Land Court Judges should lie', raised.

Mr. Ngata also thought the statusof Judges should be raised. The number of Judges should bo increased to expedite the great prossure of business waiting tile Court's attention. Better accommodation was required. Mi. Givemslade thought the salaries and allowances of Judges ought to be considerably increased. -Mr. Baume thought an effort should bo made to expedite the business of uie Court.

Mr. Poole thought the lauds should be thrown opon as soon as possible. Mr. Carroll said lie would submit proposals to increase the salaries. The Supreme Court system would not be suitable. In the past year the Court liud settled 14,470 cases, and earned £14,515 15s Oil in fees. The Judges had never been influenced by the Department. He was disposed to abolish tho present appellate system, which was cumbersome and allowed appeals On trivial grounds and wasted time. Mr. Carroll said he intended to transfer to the President of the Native Land Boards some work at present devolving on the Court. To lighten the latter's labors provision would be made in the public works estimates to the extent of £28,000. By January one and a-half million acres would be available for survey.

Messrs. Nguta and Parata urged lliut 'subsidies were necessary to enable Maori Councils to attend to all the duties properly.

Carroll expressed high npprocia' tion of the work done by the Councils.