PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 242, 6 October 1908, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph.—l'ress Association. Wellington, resterday. The Council met at 11 a.m. to-day. the Old Age Pensions Amendment Bill was received from tiie House and read a lirst and second time. The infants Amendment Hill, which provides that where relatives of children who are hoarded out have not met payments the 'responsibility for payment is to be thrown on Charitable Aid Boards instead of oil the consolidated revenue as at present, was read a second time. Tile J'n'blic Bodies Leasing Bill was recommitted for tiie purpose of adding a niKchiiicry amendment to clause 14, dealing with Orders-hi-Coinicil. Xlie nmeiuliueut was agreed to. The Hill was then reported with iimendinenls. The Infants Amendment Bill was put

through its Jin.il stages. I'lie committee appointed to consider the registration of births reported that it had taken tlie evidence oi several me'dical practitioners, but as the time was too short to prepare a full report this session, it was recommended that tlie evidence should he further considered by the select committee hcxl .-essioii. Wellington, Night. The Council resumed at 2.30. Hon. liigg gave notice to move on Wednesday that a committee be set up to consider and report on the best means of providing an ellicient metlioc of national defence, such committee li consist of Hons. Callan, Collins, Stev ens, MoArdle, Jones, Anstey, Paul, til. Attorney-General, and mover.

HOUSE OF ItEPUESENTATIVES. The House met .at 2.30. Air. Okey gave notice to usk the Minister of Lunds a question regarding the Agricultural Produce Sale and Importation Bill. Mr. MeNab said the measure in question was sent to the Agricultural Committee, which had made a recommendation, and, as a result, the Bill would not be proceeded with. Mr. Okey considered that an unusual course, and ivould move to Bet up a Search Committee. The Premier pointed out tihat it was an unusual course for a private member to move as suggested in respect of a Government Bill. Mr. Okey amended his motion to ask Uie Government to set up a Search Committee. The Palmerston North Dairy School Bill was read a second time pro forma, and referred to the Lands Committee. Tlie Industries Committee recommended that t.he Daylight Saving Bill be not allowed to proceed, Mr. Duncan moved the adoption of the report of the Lands Committee on Woodward Street exchange of land. Mr. Fislrer reviewed at length the history of the transaction, and alleged that the Government had been hoodwiiiked and that a private individual had acquired Crown land without going to auction or the land being offered to adjoining owners. If the evidence given before the Committee had bev,i given before a judicial tribunal, then' would have been a very different verdict to tiro wishy-washy report of the committee. Mr. MeNab. in replying, said the Government was justified in ifs action by section 117 of the Act. Tlie House adjourned at 5.30 to meet at 7.30. The report of the Woodward Street. Committee, after further discussion, was agreed to on tlhe voices.