PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 93, 28 July 1910, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17. .HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. STATE GUARANTEED ADVANCES. The House met at 2.30. Replying to Mr. Hemes, Sir J. G. Ward said the report of the State Guaranteed Advances would be laid on the table next day. THE RAILWAY STATEMENT. The railway statement would be placed before the House within the next few days. DEATH OF HON. H. SCOTLAND. Sir J. G. Ward announced the death of the Hon. Henry Scotland, M.LjG, who passed away suddenly this afternoon. Mr. Scotland had been for forty-two years in the Legislative Council. He was in his ninetieth year, and one ot the old identities. The Premier sketched the career of the late member, and moved "That this House records its high sense of the faithful services rendered by the late Mr. Scotland, and tenders its sincere sympathy to his widow and her family in their great loss." Mr. Massey seconded the motion, and said that Mr. Scotland was the oldest member in Parliament, and a going, outspoken, honorable man. He had gone to his rest full of years and had died in harness, as a man of his strong character would have desired. Messrs. Jennings and Russell also paid tribute to the late member. The motion was carried, ana Wie House adjourned till 7.30. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. On resuming, im answer to questions, Sir J. G. Ward said the staff corps suggested by Lord Kitchener had not been overlooked, nor would appointments be made without proper qualification. Appointments would be the subject of examination, and qualifications considered necessary by the Director of Military 'Braining and Education; under the instructions of the Commandant. Lieutenants, sergeants and other non-coms, would be in the probationary stage when the Commandant arrives. The Government had no intention of dealing with the Fair Rent Bill this session. The Government intend shortly to submit proposals in reference to land settlement and the Finance Act, when it would be seen that satisfactory provision would be made to provide a money limit in lieu of or in addition to the 200 acreage limit. The date of the arrival of Lieut.-Col. Heard had not yet been advised, and no information was yet to hand regarding the director of operations and intelligence. As to the defences at Lyt/telton - and DunCdin harbors, communications with the Imperial Defence Committee and the Colonial Defence Committee were all of such a highly confidential and secret nature, that it was not considered advisable to give details. Advices re the harbor defences from the sources named will continue to be closely followed. The Government was considering the question of offering prizes for designs for the new Parliamentary buildings. Mr. Fowlds said he hoped to submit, at an early date, proposals regarding the medical and dental inspection of schools. .