PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 172, 29 October 1910, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. In the Legislative Council this afternoon, the Attorney-General moved the second reading of the Water Power Works Bill. The Hon. J. E. Jenkinson opposed the proposals, and cited figures to show that little benefit would accrue from the Government's proposals, while it would interfere with the coal industry, to whick the schemes were in opposition. If the power could be delivered absolutely free of charge, it was doubtful if it would make a difference of 10 per cent, to the average cost of manufactured articles. He pointed out that cheap freights were the main factor in all industries. Ho hoped the Government would submit the whole matter to a board of expert engineers. The Hon. W. F. Wigram contended that the engineering problems to be solved were very simple, and it was unnecessary to go abroad for expert advice. He thought the Government should concentrate its energies on one scheme for a beginning, and that a start should be made at Lake Coleridge. The debate was adjourned, and the Council adjourned until 9 o'clock to-mor-row morning to consider the Imprest Supply Bill.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. In the House this afternoon, replying to Mr. Davey as to the result of the Government's enquiry into the death of a girl at Christehureh, supposed to be due to drinking milk from a, tuberculosis cow, Sir Joseph Ward said the report would be available, soon. The Hon. T. Mackenzie said the veterinary inspector had tested every cow in the suspected herd, and not one was found to be suffering from tuberculosis. Replying to Mr. Wright, the Premier said he intended to go on with the Tramways Bill. The Premier read returns of revenue for the period from April Ist to October 28th (as reported elsewhere). After discussion, the House went into committee on the Imprest Supplj' Bill, rising at 5.30 p.m. In the House in the evening the debate was continued. Mr. Taylor (Christehureh) said he intended hammering away at the need for a betterment tax in respect of public works expenditure, which added largely to the unimproved value of properties of landowners, and the system was a rotten one, which took the cost of these works out of the pockets of taxpayers without taking a share of the values so created.

The Bill was reported without amendments, read a third time mid passed. The House went into committee on the Taranaki Scholarships Amendment Bill. The Bill was reported with amendments, read a third time and passed. Kaiapoi Reserves, Opium Amendment, and Inspection of Machinery Bills passed their final stages, and the House rose at 11 p.m.