PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 94, 11 October 1911, Page 8

PARLIAMENT

TUESDAY, OCTOIJEJ! 10.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. I By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Lust Night. The House met at 2.30. The Hon. ,1. A. Millar gave notice of liis intention to introduce the Elingamite Rehearing Bill. The Prime Minister, referring to the electoral rolls, said that up to September I,'i of this year the main roll contained 304,333 names, whilst the complete roll of 1908 contained 53(i,003. He | intended to ask the House to legalise putting on (he rolls everyone who received census papers and purging the rolls afterwards. The printing of the rolls had been arranged throughout the country, and the Department would see that everyone- entitled to 'be on the rolls was put on. The rolls would be ready to go to the printers in the course' of a few days, and fourteen clays were allowed lor printing them. The Department was paying attention to transfers from one district to another. Transfers from the main roll will appear in the supplementary rolls. The Prime Minister slated, in reply to a question, that he proposed this session to ask the House to adopt a system by which land could be acquired for the people at fair prices. Where necessary the land would be taiken compulsorily, and the system would apply to all the lands in the country. Mr. Massey asked the Premier if he would lay before the House a list oi all lands offered to the Crown. He contended that laud could now be purchased Ivy the State to enable settlers to make a fair living. He was certain that he could go through the country and ipurchasc two'miilions' worth of land yearly, and at a fair price.

The Premier said that Mr. Massey's ima-giinntion had carried him off his feet. Under the Land for Settlement Act, the Crown had never purchased a single estate at the price offered, and in nint eases out of ten, whore the land was wanted, it had to be acquired under pressure. He was prepared to considw the laying of the list asked for by Mr. ■Massey before the House.

The Premier gave notice to move that on and after the 10th inst. the llousi meets every Monday at 2.30 .for the rest of the session, for consideration of Government business.

The Agricultural Stock and Commerce Committee reported on the petition from Waimate fruitgrowers, asking for the free return by the Railway Department of empties.

This led to a discussion in which several members urged favorable consideration by the Government to fruitgrowers in the matter. The report was adopted.

The House went into committee on drafts of eight Bills brought down by Governor's message. The Prime Minister explained the provisions of the New Zealand Notes Bill, which gave power to the Government to issue notes. ( After the Bill came into operation no banks would be able to issue notes. The banks would be responsible for the value of the notes in issue at the time the Act is enforced until they are returned. The Act would come into operation on the Ist of January, 1913. That time had been fixed so as to enable the necessary machinery to lie arranged for and also to enable'the banks to arrange for the change of system. The issue of the notes is to be under the direction of the Minister of Finance, anil the security for the redemption was (a) not less than 23 per cent, up to three millions, (b) bevond that number £ for £. X T otes can be issued at any time and up to any amount. The notes will be made legal tender except as payment for claims "on demand against the King, the proceeds from the notes to form part of the consolidated fund, and the expenses incurred in making the notes would be

appropriated by Parliament. He proposed to hare the Bill read a second time .and then held over until next session.

An amendment to the State Guaranteed Advances Act provided for an increase in .amount to be borrowed for advances to workers of £250,000. The Tramways Amendment Bill contained the recommendations of the municipal conference.

The Old Age Pensions Amendment Bill gave effect to what was contained in the Budget. Further consideration 0 f the measures was interrupted by the dinner adjournment.

EVENING SESSION. The House resumed at 7.30. The Prime Minister explained the provision of the Bill providing for .pensions for widows having children. The schedule was as follows:—Widow with one child, £l2 per annum; with two children, £18; three, children, £24; for moro than three children, £3O. In the case 'where the estimated income of the widow exceeded £3O per annum, the Bill provided for £ for £ reduction. The estimated cost of the scheme was £.">,000 per year. The Bill did not apply to any child over 14 years of a<*c, and did not apply to any child not legitimate.

The following Bills were read the first time:—New Zealand Notes Bill, New Zealand State Guaranteed Advances Amendment Bill, Old Age Pensions Bill, 1008, Widows' Pensions Bill, Public Works Act 1008 Amendment Bill, Amendment to Tramways Act 1908 Amendment Hill, Death Duties Act 1909 Amendment Bill, Land Tax and Income Tax Amendment Bill.