PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 222, 12 September 1908, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

■FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last A'lgiit. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Attorney-General, in moving the second reading of the Second Ballot Bill, from the House, said the measure was based on the German system, which had existed for forty years, and the Germans showed no desire to change the system. The absolute majority system had been tried in Queensland, but found unsatisfactory. II it had proved otherwise, the (.iovernmcnt would have submitted an Absolute Majority Bill in preference to the second ballot. Ho deprecated the criticisms of the Press on the so-called "gag" ciaus'e. He defended tile clauses in the rnter-ests-uf candidates. The Hon. George said he would support the Bill, but advocated a system of voting by post. The Hon. Paul, in opposing the Hill, said the German electoral system was a llagrant disgrace to an educated- democracy, and a bye-word and reproach as an electoral system. -Mr. Paul paid a tribute to the l'ress of New Zealand, and adversely criticised the Press of Victoria. Tlie Hons. McArdle and Barr supported the Bill, the latter remarking that certain modifications were necessary.

Tlie Council resumed at 7.30. Til Hons. Rigg, Loughnan, Carncross, McDonald, and Luke would support the Bill but were opposed to the gag clause. The Hon. Jenkinson intended to vote against the Bill. The Hon. Beehan defended the gag clause. The Hon, Jones generally supported the Bill. Tlie Attorney-General, in reply, deI fended the gag clause, which be likened to n jury sent back to re-consider its verdict. He added that there was no .abuse of the cardinal principles of our liberty to impose silence on the Press during the jury's (electors') deliberations. The second reading was carried on the voices, and the Bill set down for committal on Tuesday. The Council adjourned at 10.30. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 'Pile House met at 2.30 p.m. DESTRUCTION OF NATJIVE GAME. Jlr. Ell drew attention to the slaughter of pigeons by so-called sportsmen, anil expressed the opinion that the Government ought to take steps to prevent tile wholesale destruction of native birds.

A general discussion ensued, in which half a dozen members urged that these native birds should be protected by Statute, and two or three deprecated the panic as unwarranted. DAIRY INSPECTION. The regulations for the inspection of dairies under the Dairy Inspection Aet wore laid 011 the table, and referred to tlie Stock Committee. BEGINNING OP THE FjND. Sir Joseph Ward gave noticq to move that 011 and after Monday, 21st i;ist,, the House sit o;i Mondays at T. 30. T*ie Premier stated that the Public Works Statement would be brought down 011 Tuesday week, and 011 the following day he would make a statement regarding the business the Government proposed to go on with during the session. THE ARBITRATION BILL. The report, of the Labor Bills Committee 011 the. Industrial Arbitration Bill was laid on tlie table. The lion. Mr. Millar said the debate would be taken early next week. MANAWATU LINE PURCHASE. Tlie Premier moved the second reading of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Purchase Bill, and gave a sketch of the history of its inception and construction. In accordance with tlie terms of tile Agreement, notice was given by the Government to tiro company of Us intention to acquire the line, and the purchase was amicably agreed upon without arbitration. After discussion, it was finally agreed •that the purchase price, should be £1)00,01)0, and ,C 10,000 for stores, and r;i consideration of the company giving up possesion of the line on the it'll December next instead of holding till 28th February as entitled to do, a sum of ,1:15,000 should be paid out of the earnings of the line until t'liat period. The total purchase price was therefore •tt)25,000 or thereabouts. It was arranged that ;Cooo,ooo should be paid ,to tin; company at the 'end of the last month, the company to pay interest 011 this amount at the rate of 4 per cent, until December 7t | h, and that the remainder be paid 011 February 28th, the Government to pay interest at the rate of 4 per cent. 011 that sum from December 7th. Tire House adjourned at 5.30 and relumed at 7.30. Sir Joseph Ward, continuing, said the line had been taken over on better terms than would have lieen file case in 11101-2. He paid tribute to those who had conducted tin l transactions for the company, and said the Government now possessed a line linking up the most progressive developing lines of tile North Island.

Mr. Massey congratulated the G'overnmenl upon the result of the negotiations. There was little for him or anyone to say regarding the negotiations. beyond congratulating all concornvd upon the completion of a transaction of great importance to the country. The price was satisfactory. He thought, however, as a matter of principle, that arbitration should have been resorted to. ■Sir. -lames Allen said the line would have been acquired more advantage-" onsly on the company's terms in 1!)01 than was the case now. The assets (lien included a quantity of freehold land which was not now included. Also it secured to him we were paying £15,0110 to the company principally because it would not go to arbitration. Mr. Ilerriea agreed that tire Government made a very fair bargain. _ Sir Joseph Ward, replying to criticisms, said there was no such thing as goodwill in connection with tlie railway. The law specifically declared that no goodwill should lie paid for. The equitable rights of employees of the company were fully ,safeguard,e4 under the Bill, but Ire was not prepared to say every employee would remain in the same position as at present. lie reiterated that less would be paid for this railway than any otlivr similar line. The Government had done well for the country, and had treated tire company well'. tic was glad arbitration had been avoided for the sake of the country and on the score of expense. The Bill was read a second time on tin' voices. ' PUBLIC BODIES' LEASES HILL. Mr. McNab moved tile second reading of the Public Bodies' Leases liill, making general provision as to the leasin«' powers of local and other public authorities, so as to avoid making special provisions in every Act which cs* talilishes such an authority. ' Mr. Massey generally approved of the measure. The Bill was read a second time. OTHER HILLS. The Agricultural Produce Sale and Importation Bill was read a third time a 11,1 passed. The Inspection of Machinery Bill was committed. (Left Sitting).