PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 53, 24 August 1911, Page 8

PARLIAMENT

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1011. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Council met at 3.30. A letter was read from Mrs. W. G. Smith, acknowledging the sympathy of the Council on the death of her husband. Replying to Sir Maurice O'Rorke, the Hon. Mr. McGowan, representing the Ministry, said the question of complying with the request of the University Senate that a Bill to enable the Senate to grant Divinity degrees, was under consideration by the Government. Sir Maurice O'Rorke moved that, in the opinion of the Council, it is desirable jto establish a few pensioners' settlements along the Main Trunk line, between Te Awamutu and Marton, each pensioner to receive a cottage and an acre of land in the settlement and 20 acres within tlve miles of the settlement three years after arrival. Each pensioner to be married and accompanied by his family, He. pointed to what Sir Geo. Grey had done to establish such settlements in the vicinity of Auckland in IW. The Hon. S. Thome George, who supported the motion, said that the original settlements were more for the purpose of defence than anything else. He would like to see the motion taking the direction of small farms rather than the village settlements suggested.. The Hon. Mr. Luke, while admitting that the motion was in the right direction, contended that a more vigorous public works and land settlement, policy must be pursued if the country was to develop as it should do. The Hon. C. H. Mills did not think the proposal would give the right class' of settlers. There were hundreds of people desirous of getting land who were unable to obtain it.

The Hon. Mr. MeCardle referred to the difficulties of settlement on small unimproved holdings, but welcomed anything that would further settlement. The Hons. Messrs. Harris and Barr opposed it on the ground that there were plenty of people here who were anxious to get on the land.

The Hon. Mr. McGowan was sorry to say he could not support the motion of his old friend.

The debate was adjourned, and the Council rose.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

AFTERNOON" SITTING.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. The favorable recommendation by the Petitions Committee of the petition from the Rangitikei Racing Club, praying for the restitution of their license, drew from the Hon. J. A. Millar a statement that he was surprised at the recommendation of the committee. They were asking the Minister of Internal Affairs to break the law. He repeated that the Government intended to stand by the Commission's report. Members again voiced their discontent with the Commission's report. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. In answer to questions Ministers statedIt was not intended to introduce legislation this y(!ar to extend the margin of difference as to the population quota so as to enable the Representation Commissioners to amend their proposals and adjust the boundaries to preserve community of interest. , The Government will consider the question of setting up u commission to investigate the increased cost of living. No provision would be made in the new defence scheme for the upkeep of garrison tads. Garrison bands under the old defence scheme would now become bands to the divisions, and would become regimental bands. It was proposed to introduce this session an amendment to the Education Act, making it clear that teachers transferred against their will would have the same right of appeal as if thev were dismissed.

The question of allowing members of the education service who are not at present contributors to the teachers' superannuation fund to have the right to become contributors as original members, was now under consideration. The matter of the Mokau block had already been before the Government. It was believed that the recent dealings would prove satisfactory in every way, and before long a thriving settlement would be established.

The question of assisting the development of an export trade in apples by continuing the guarantee of a penny a pound was being considered. EVENING SESSION.

The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr. Witty moved the second reading of the Land Agents Registration Bill This measure, he pointed out, was not so much to safeguard the land agent as to safeguard the public against unscrupulous land agents. The Bill was directed against street-corner land agents, who had no properties on their books. At the present time there was no fund into which agents were'compelled to pay trust monies received and if they were not watched the money was gone, and so were the agents. License fees, as provided by the Bill, were to be paid to the local authority that issued the license, and after deducting any expense incurred in respect of license should pay the balance to the hospital and charitable aid board of the district Every person, desiring to take out license shall enter into a fidelity bond for £SOO. He hoped the Government I would take up the Bill after the second reading. j

Mr. Guthrie welcomed the Bill, the mam features of which were admirable Mr. Poole said a measure of this description was very necessary, and should be placed on the Statute Book without delay. Mr. Okey applauded the principles of the Bill, hut thought the license fees should go to the local bodies roads which agents used to a .rreat extent. ° Messrs. Forbes, Luke, and Newman supported the Bill. Mr. Stallworthy said that the fact of registration being' effected did not protect the puMic. He hoped the Government would take up the measure. Mr. lius<ell said the measure would severely affect small land agents in the country, who would be handicapped if the Bill came into operation.

The Hon. D." Buddo said that even it' Mr. Witty was unsuccessful with the measure in this session there was no reason why he should not eventually succeed, as ; had been the case with a large number'of other measures introduced by private members. The Government had for some time been considering the introduction of a Bill of this nature, and in fact it was intended to bring' it down tliis session. This would he done if Mr. Witty's Bill did not get further than this reading. The Hon. G. Fowlds was opposed to imposing license fees, as that tended to create a monopoly, or if a fee were imposed it should be a vc v small one. Mr. Witty having replied,, the second reading was agreed to. The House rose at 11.20.