PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 248, 25 November 1909, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

< WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Council met this afternoon after » fortnight's adjournment. The Attorney-General congratulat »d the Hon. Sir George McLean on the honor recently conferred on him by the King. Sir Geo. McLean expressed his warm acknowledgements of congratulations extended to him from One end of ;he country to the other. The Wanganui Roman Catholic Bill '(Hon. Callan) and the Roman Catholic Archbishop Empowering Bill (Hon. lionghman) were read a second time. The New Zealand Society of Accountants' Bill, to enable persons whose applications for registration during the past year had not been granted by the board to apply to She council for registration, was read a second time, on the motion of the Hon. Samuel. The Magistrates' Court Amendment Bill, requiring three days' notice of intention to defend an action, and also Betting aside a full detailed statement bf claim in favor of a short statement in actions for goods sold and delivered, Uras read a second time, on the motion pf the Attorney-General. The Attorney-General moved the second reading of the Chattels Transfer [Amendment Bill. The discussion wis ftdjouraed and the Council rose.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. In the House in the afternoon, Ministers, replying to questions, stated:—That the Government will consider the advisability of introducing legislation abolishing grand juries. That the Premier wag nof prepared to lay Commissioner Disnie's statement, traversing the findings of the Police Commission, before the House, but there Was no reason why a private member ■hould not do so.

That a Bill amending the Libel Act with a view of giving the Press the same immunity from prosecution as is enjoyed by the Press of Britain had been prepared. That the establishment of a complete system of medical.and dental inspection Of school children "Is being seriously considered with a view to seeing what can be done.

That as the accuracy of agricultural statistics obtained under the old methods bad been frequently questioned, the Government, had decided to adopt • new. system which would he less costly and more satisfactory. PRIVATE BILLS. The Wellington Harbor Board Bill liras read a second time. The Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland Special Powers Bill (Mr. Baume) was read a third time. GOVERNOR'S SALARY REDUCTION BILL.

Mr. T. E. Taylor (Ghristchurch), 'n moving the first reading of the Governor's Salary and Allowances Reduction Bill, said ftie enToluments of the Governor were out of all proportion to the work done and would maintain 70 working-class families in comfort. He desired to see the salary cut down to what it had Tieen previous to the increase during the-period of prosperity in 1900.

Sir Joseph Ward said that while anxious for economy he could not agree with Mr. Taylor's remarks. So long as it was considered necessary to have a representative of the King in the Dominion, the position should be adequately supported.

Mr. Hanan said the Government, when embarking on a scheme of retrenchment, should begin at the most highly-paid officials. In his reply, Mr. Taylor said there was absolutely no reason for keeping up the Governor's residence at Auckland, and he hoped the time would come when the Dominion could select its own Governor. The Bill was read a first time. GRAND JURIES ABOLITION 1 BILL. The Grand Juries Abolition Bill (Mr. Taylor, Christchurch) was read a first time, and the House rose at 5.30 p.m.

STATE ADVANCES GUARANTEE. The House went fnto committee to further consider the State Guaranteed Advances Bill. On clause 36, sub-claii-e 3, Mr. Massey moved that the Minister's .annual return include particula-s ot the rate of interest to be paid on loans and date. This was lost bv 30 to 25.

On the motion of Sir Joseph Ward clause 37, specifying the classes of land on which advances to settlers may be made, had the following clauses added: .After paragraph (M.N), Crown lands held on lease for agricultural purposes under the Mining Districts Land Occupation Act, 1894; (O) Crown lands held in license for residence sites under the Mining Acta of 1891 and 1905; (P) Crown lands held on lease under the Mining Acts of 1898 and 1908, and of the main lands which have been transferred in trust for leasing to andi ire held under leases from the Maori Land Board, under the Maori Lands Administration Act, 1900, for 21 years, with right of renewal. On clause 43, providing for a rebate of interest when instalments are paid punctually, Mr. Taylor (Christchurch) objected to this is a vicious principle, and snjd he would call for a division on the clause. Mr. Eussell agreed with Mr. Taylor. Messrs Hogan, Hall and Buxton supported the clause. On division the clause was retained bv 48 to 0. (Left. Sitting).