PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 163, 19 October 1910, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph. —Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. In the Legislative 'Council this afternoon the debate oil the second reading of the Defence Kill was continued by the lions. Sinclair and Oarncross. The Attorney-(Jeiiernl, in his reply, disclaimed any intention to create a military class or to encourage a spirit of militarism. The object of the measure was not to create a standing army, but an efficient force to protect the Dominion from a possible invader. The Bill was read a second time. The Immigration Restriction Bill was read a third time and passed. The Animals Protection Bill, from the House, was read a second time. The Attorney-tieneral moved the second reading of the Native Townships Bill. The Hon. ileCardle thought something ought to be done to prevent natives receiving and spending as they pleased the whole of the purchase money. A portion should be used to improve the balance of their holdings anil to encourage them to farm for themselves. The Hon. Jones protested against the free-trade principle embodied in the Bill by the House. The Government should either buy native lands or let the nativds lease it, but did not think they should be allowed to sell to everybody as proposed. The Hon. Paul said there ought to be a clause to protect the Maori against any. Minister's or any European inlluence. He spoke strongly as to the methods of dealing with native lands in the past and indignantly denounced the practices by which Maoris had been robbed. The Attorney-General, having- briefly replied, the second reading was agreed to, and the Council rose.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. The Ivaiapoi Reserves Bill (Hon. J. Carroll) was read a second time pro forma. RAILWAY MATTERS. On the motion of the Hon. J. A. Millar to lay the Railway Classification List (D 3) on the table, considerable discussion ensued upon the time-tables and the running of the service in the Wairarapa and various parts of the Xortli Island, respecting which it was alleged there was much dissatisfaction. Mr. Laurenson complained that insufficient facilities were given to men in the second division who had qualified for the first division. On entering- the latter branch of the service shunters ought also to be provided with speedier means of promotion. Mr. Hogan held that the percentage barrier to promotion in the railway service should be abolished. Mr. Fisher contended that railway servants ought not to be restricted from taking part in public life, so long as they refrained from commenting on the work of their Department or improperly divulging information. He alt>o objected to the men's right to annual leave being taken away by the new regulations. Hon. Millar, in replying, .-aid he doubted if the archangel Gabriel could devise a time-table to suit the needs of the Wairarapa district. However, he had promised when the session closed to look into the question. Replying {o Mr. Laurenson, the Minister said a reasonable number of promotions yearly were made from the second to. first- grade. He could not agree with Mr. Taylor in regard to removing the restrictions from railway servants in regard to politics. He would see that an enquiry was made into the complaints at the Newmarket workshops. T he percentage barrier to promotion could not bo altered, as the cost would be too great. The papers were ordered to lie on the table.

BEET SUGAR INDUSTRY. The Agricultural Committee reported that after taking the evidence of witnesses, it had not sufficient evidence be-' lore it to justify tho recommendations of the Sugar Beet Industry Bill and leaves the matter of proceeding with the Bill to the discretion of the Government. Mr. Poole moved that the evidence be printed. ■ 'Sir Joseph Ward said he felt the country ought to go in for tile beet sugar industry in some form or other, and believed the Bill should be proceeded with. He would do his best to establish the industry, peeing that the remission of duty had failed in its object. The evidence should be printed so- that the views of witnesses' could be perused, and, if further evidence were required, it should ■bo obtained. The debate was adjoupied and the 'House rose at 5.30 p.m. THE HARBOR BILL. In the House in the evening the second reading of the Harbors Amendment Bill, Xo. 2, was moved by Hon. J. A. Millar, who explained the difference between the present and the original Bill. Mr. Ilerries said the Bill showed the wisdom of going slowly. Had the original Bill been passed it would have been necessary to pass an amending Bill next session containing amendments of the Bill now before the House, lie hoped that voting by proxy, which gave rise to abuses, would be done away with. He was glad to see that the country districts would be represented on harbor boards as well as town districts. Mr. Hogg contended that harbor boards should be elected on Parliamentary franchise. Mr. Poole hoped that special care would be taken to see that country members possessed some knowledge of the work of the boards. After further discussion the second reading was carried. BY-LAWS BILL. The House went into committee on the by-laws Bill. On the motion of Mr. Reid, sub-clause 2 of clause 3, providing that no application for confirmation of by-laws shall be granted unless received within one year, was deleted. The Bill was reported with amendments. I OATHS BILL. The Oaths Bill passed through committee, and was reported without amendment. AIDS TO WATER POWER BILL. The Aid to Water Power Works Bill was then taken in committee. Mr. Fraser said the House ought to have some indication from the Government as to how many schemes it intended to go on with, and at what cost. He Imped the Premier did not intend at the present time to go on with the extensive scheme outlined in the second reading. Mr. ilerries also for fuller information. (Left Sitting.)