PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 55, 26 August 1911, Page 8

PARLIAMENT

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Legislative Council met at 2.30. Sir Maurice O'Rorke moved "that this Council is of opinion that it is desirable thait the Government should appoint an emigration officer in Ireland, and another in Scotland, to facilitate emigration from those countries, and .that each emigrant of 31 years of age should receive 40 acres of freehold land in New Zealand." The Hon. Mr. Luke, while not agreeing with the whole motion, took occasion to emphasise the importance of more vigorous immigration, public works, and land s#ttlcmeiit policy. This country should have a far larger number of set- ! tiers on its lands than it has. The Hon. Mr. McOardle urged the necessity for closer settlement, but objected to. the proposal to give blocks of land away. The Hon. Mr. Callan said the scheme was impracticable. If the free grant portion were left out he would vote for the motion, for he agreed with the importance of immigration. The Hon. Mr. Beehan expressed similar views. The Hon. Messrs. Anstey and McOowan opposed the motion, which was lost on the voices. The Council ros|. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30. Mr. L. M. Isitt, the newly-electe<t member for Christchurch North, was sworn in, and took his seat. The Methodist Charitable and Educational Trusts Bill was read a third time and passed. ?l>eakin«r to the Lands Committees' report on the Land Amendment Bill introduced >by himself, Mr. Newman asked that the Government should take up the measure, as it was impossible for him to go any further with it as a private member. The Bill provided for increased representation by Crown tenants on land boards.

Mr. Jennings supported the application for increased representation of the Crown tenants. The Hon. D. Buddo said the Bill aimed at the reduction of Government nominees on land boards. He had never had any complaint about representation in land boards, ino-t of the duties of which were purelv statutory. The Crown tenants, interests were essentially their own, and no concern of the land 1 boards. Mr. Guthrie said there was no desire to infringe on the rights of the Government nominees. He regretted the Government would not take the Bill up.

Mr. Russell said laud l>oards were merely vehicles for registering decisions of the Government departments. He held that greater local knowledge was necessary to properly eairy out the functions of land boards. Land districts and land boards should be increased. Mr. Ell maintained that land boards were very important institutions. With regard to increased representation, lie held that the Crown tenants were only n. small section of the community. Mr. Hannan held that Crown tenants had not shown the interest they should have done in land board matters.

The Stone Quarries Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed.

The Hon. O. Fowlds moved the second reading of the Auckland Grammar School Site Bill, which provides for a suitable site for the school on the gaol reserve at Mount Eden. The Bill was read a second time. The Hon. G. Fowlds moved the second reading of the Education Reserves Amendment Bill, which extended the powers of High School trustees and removed restrictions under the Public Bodies Leasing Act. 1908. Mr. Field applauded the objects of the Bill. The powers conferred ;by it were urgently needed by the school trustees. Mr. Herries welcomed the Bill from the point of view of tenants on high school reserves. The Bill vas read a second time. The Patents Design and Trade Mark' Bill was read a third time. The Hon. .T. A. "Millar moved the a' journment of the House to enable members to meet and welcome the Premier. The motion was agreed to, and the House adjourned till Tuesday. The House rose at 5.30.