PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 186, 16 November 1910, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. In the Council this afternoon, the Taranaki Scholarships Endowment Bill was read a third time and passed. On the third reading of the National Provident Fund Bill, Hon. Jenkinson suggested it would be better to vest the administration of the Fund in the Government Life Insurance Department than with the Public Trustee. The Attorney-General said the suggestion deserved careful consideration, and he would have the matter brought under the consideration of the Government 'before next session. The Bill was read a third time and passed. The New Zealand Loans Amendment Bill and the Old Age Pensions Fund Bill were read a second time without debate. The Harbor Boards Bill was committed. An attempt by Hon. Anstey to have the borough franchise instituted at elections in combined districts under the 'Bill was defeated by 16 to 14. The Attorney-General moved the insertion of a new sub-clause to prevent double voting by ship-owners and payers of dues. Another new clause was added that shall be held on the days appointed 'for the election of members of the borough councils. The Bill was reported with amendments. EVENING SESSION. The Gaming Bill second reading debate was concluded, and the Bill was read a second time. The Public Revenues Bill was read a third time and passed. The Council rose at 10.30 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ,In the House this afternoon the Premier, in response to interrogations by several members, promised to enquire into the matter of an old-age pensioner being induced to supply liquor to police probationers in Wellington, and accepting money from them. The Public Petitions Committee reported on the petition of Joshua Jones who asked for permission to appear before the bar of the House in regard to matters in connection with his claims at Mokau, that as 1 the petitioner did not appear to have any interest in the Mokau estates, it could not recommend that he be heard before the bar of the House. Tne committee also recommended that in order to settle the long-standing dispute, and with a view of settling the land, and taking into consideration the treatment meted out to Jones by solicitors in England, whereby he lost his legal interest in the estate, petitioner's claims to equitable consideration' should be clearly defined. The report was adopted. The second reading of the Legislature Amendment Bill was moved by Sir Joseph Ward, who explained the principal provisions of the Bill. Mr. Massey regretted that the Bill had been introduced at such a late period of the session. Under the circumstances it was impossible to give the Bill the consideration it deserved. The debate was adjourned at 5.30 p.m., and the House rose. The debate on the second reading of the Legislative Amendment Bill was resumed by Mr. Massey. He referred to the existing anomalies in the electoral law, and said he would like to see the name of every person qualified to vote on the roll. He could not support the proposal to take an electoral census. The debate was continued by Messrs. Malcolm, Wright, Anderson and Sir Wm. Steward. Sir Joseph Ward replied, and the second reading- was carried. The second reading of the Workers' Dwellings Bill was moved by the Hon. J. A. Millar, who explained that it was designed to provide homes for landless workers, who would have homes erected by the State on payment of £lO deposit. The provisions of t.he Bill would only apply to workers whose income did not exceed £156 a year. Mr. Massey, while approving the Bill, objected to clause 3, a sub-clause of which gives the Minister power to take land for the purposes of the Act. The land so taken might belong to a worker, and the'clause was an unjust one. The second reading was carried. Hon. Millar movfd the second reading of the Shipping and Seamen Bill, which, he explained, provided that intercolonial ships trading between New Zealand and Australia, or New Zealand and the Cook Islands, should be compelled to comply with the labor laws of New Zealand and pay the current rate of wages. Ships manned by Asiatics, wholly or in part, would be' liable to 25 per cent, stamp duty on passage money and freight charges. The Bill would have to receive the Roval assent. i Mr. Massey said there was a strong opinion that the Bill was inspired by the Union Company, and he was not going to allow himself to be made use of by any company. It would be a good thing for this country if it encouraged some of the big companies to come here. (Left Sitting).