PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 97, 14 October 1911, Page 4

PARLIAMENT

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13. Vi LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Legislative Council met at 2.'X). The committee which considered the Field Divorce Bill reported that it had added new clauses, providing for the decree ni>i to lie granted by the Supreme Court on proof that the allegations in the preamble were correct.

The Guardian Trust and Executive Bill was also reported on by a select committee. Several new clauses were added providing for an audit by the AuditorGeneral and the proper legal status of the company.

A letter was read, from the widow of the late Mr. Flatman, ex-M.P., thanking the Council for a resolution passed by il on the death of her buslmnd. The Attorney-General moved the second reading of the Administration Bill, which is intended to remedy some defects in the existing Land Bill in connection with the administration of estates. The Bill was read a second time and the Council rose.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. OIWL SERVICE CLASSIFICATION. iMr. Arnold asked the Premier to fur-' nish a roll to indicate the positions of civil servants in the elassifcition list. At present, he said, there was great difficulty in linding positions on the list. Sir Joseph Ward said a nominal roll would be issued as soon as possible. A SHEAF OF BILLS. Sir Joseph Ward then gave a ] Ist of the Bills he proposed going on with this session. Following is the list:—.Auckland University College Amendment Bill, University of Otago Council Bill, Tramways Amendment Bill, Methodist Ohurch of New Zealand Bill, Arbitration and Conciliation Bill, Christchurch District Drainage Amendment Bill, Elingamite Rehearing Bill, Parapara Bill (iron industry). Dunedin Technical School Site Bill, Shipping and Seamen's Amendment Bill. Bating Amendment Bill, Land Tax and Income Tax Bill, Public Works Amendment Bill, Widows' Pensions- Bill, Old Age Pensions Amendment Bill. New Zealand State Guaranteed Advances Amendment Bill, New Zealand Notes Bill, Education Reserves Amendment Bill, Auckland Grammar School Site Bill, Coal Mine Amendment Bill, Fanners' Bank Bill, Railway Authorisation Bill, Land for Settlement Bill, Stamps Adjustment Bill, Local Elections and Polls Amendment Bill, Government Railways Bill (increase o» railwaymen's wages), Legislature Amendment Bill, Native Land Adjustment Bill, Workers' Compensation Amendment Bill, Mining Amendment Bill (dealing with oil industry). Municipal Corporations Bill, and po*sil>ly a, few others. The Local Election- Bill was to provide for those people who were admitted to the polling booth for the purpose of voting, but who were prevented from exercising that right by closing time being called before the voting paper could 'be served. Only a few of the measures were at all contentious, and if members applied themselves to their work, the busine>s should be completed by the end of next week. With regard to local Bills, he was willing to give a morning for that purpose. In reply to a question, Sir Joseph Ward said he did not intend to circulate a Local Government Bill this session. A measure had been drafted and contained some 600 clauses. 'He was at opinion that the Bill would take a whole session to debate. The Bill would be introduced next se-sion. He was convinced that in the carrying of local goods it was desirable that it should be done on an entirely different basis to anything contemplated so far. He was informed by the chairman of the Mokau Inquiry Committee that a. report of the inquiry would in all probability be presented to the House on Wednesday. He did not propose to go on with any Bills which would l not come into operation until after next session. This course would enable the House to expedite the more urgent business.

Mr. /Ross asked the Premier to put an end to the hole and corner way in which the native lands are dealt with. He hoped the Government would make provision to acquire all native lands which were not being used to their full capacity. The Prime Minister said the matter would be <kalt with in the Land for Settlement Bill. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. Tlie Auckland University College Amendment Bill, University' of Otago Council Bill and Methodist Church of New Zealand Bill were read a third time and' passed. The Christchurch District Drainage Amendment Bill was read a second time. ELIiNGAMITE REHEARING BILL.

iS'u- Joseph Ward moved the second rending of the .Elingamite Rehearing Bill, which -provides for the rehearing of the investigation held in 1002-03 into the. wreck of the ship at the Three Kings, if within three months after the commencement of the Act application for ' a rehearing be made by or on behalf of any person who at the time of the wreck was a master or any certificated officer of that steamship. * Sir Joseph Ward said it had ibeen found that the Three Kings were several miles out of position as charted, and this fact may have been responsible for the disaster. Mr. Poole congratulated the Minister on introducing the measure, and mentioned that the time had arrived when it was necessary to place a sum on the Estimates to provide for an exhaustive survey of the coast of New Zealand. Mr. Luke advocated an extension or the time allowed for application for rehearing. Some of the witnesses necessary for the rehearing might be many miles away and unable to get hem within the prc:-crihed time. Mr. Laurenson said the survey of the coast of the country was now more important than ever, ns shipping was now drawing much deeper draughts. The Hon. J. A. Millar, in reply, said it was a pleasant feature to find the popularity of the Bill. It must be understood that the Bill was not promoted for the pnrpo-e of exonerating Captain Ait wood, but simply to grant a reahearing of the inquiry. Evidence would be taken as in the former hearing. In connection with the three months' notice, thi- meant, that application must be made within that time, not that the case must .he heard within that time. Wih regard to the surveying of the coast, he said it was refreshing to find members alive to the necessity .for work. Some time ago. he continued, a thoroughly qualified man was brought out for this purpose, but his services were not accepted by the House. The cost of a survey ship would bo £32.000. «nd the cost to rim it £1.),000 a year. The last time the Government undertook a thorough istirvey of the coast the scheme was subjected to scathing criticism by the other side of the House, who maintained that the expenditure would have been put to a. better purpose had it been put into roads and bridges.

The Prime Minister said.he believed, the Admiralty would be prepared to help, in a survey of the coast. H«. would again refer the matter to the Imperial authorities. The Bill was read a second time. OTHER BILLS. The Dunedin Technical School .Site Bill (Hon. T. McKcnzie) was rend a second time. The Hon. J. A. Millar, in moving the second reading of the Shipping ami Sea. men's Amendment Bill, said the chief clause of the Bill repealed the clause in the principal Act relating to the power of the Government to collect a percentage on bills of lading in the case of shi|» carrying colored crews. The Home authorities objected, to the New Zealand Government having any authority over bills of lading issued in England. The Imperial assent was given to the original Act on condition that the portion of the clause relating to Home hills of lading was repealed. The Bill made thi* undertaiking good. The Bill contained a clause providing that where seamen are left on shore in New Zealand by reason of illness they «re deemed to be discharged; also .provisions ensuring the deposit of certain sums of money for the maintenance of seamen left on shore ill. The Bill was read a. second time. The Hon. D. Buddo moved the second reading of the Bating Amendment Bill, which provides that where on the taking of a poll in any district the system oi rating on unimproved value is adopted, the .system s'hti'l] apply to water rates, gas rates, electric light lutes, sewerage rates, and hospital and charitable aid rates, leviable under the principal Act of the measure. The second clause provided that in any district where the system was in full force on the commencement of this Act, a poll may be tatoi on the proposal that the said system shall apply to the said rates. At the suggestion of Messrs. Wilford, Witty and Fraser, it was agreed to make the second clause mandatory.

Mr. .Allen failed to see that a sufficient .reason had been given for a change in the system of rating. He thought that for water purposes it was unfair, that a large supply should be let off in proportion, and a smaller 'building should have a larger rate imposed. The same applied to sewerage rates. Sir Joseph Ward said the voting system was working unsatisfactorily in connection with pastoral runs, and Parliament would be asked to alter it this session.

Mr. Newman referred to the case of holders of small grazing runs in tile North Island. The runs were, he contended, taken up on the inducement that the rates were particularly light, whereas the Act of last year greatly increased the rates. In some rates -were <|uadruplcd.- They had the worst tenure of. any Crown tenants ,21 years leases with no certain rights of renewal. The Bill was read a second time. The Land and Income Tax Bill was read a second time without debate. Sir Joseph W«Td moved the second reading of the Death Duties Bill, exempting gifts not exceeding £IOOO from duty. The Public Works Amendment Bill was read a second time without discussion. The House rose at 11.20.