PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 144, 5 November 1912, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1912. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Council resumed at 2.30. THE LAND AND LOAN BILLS. The debate on the Land Bill was continued by Messrs. Barr, Loughnan, Paul Anstey, Beehan and Harris. The Minister having replied, the second reading was carried by 13 to 4. The Loan Bill passed all its stages, and the Council adjourned. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p,m. VARIOUS MEASURES. The New Zealand Institute of Architects Bill (Mr. Herdman) was read a first time.

Replying to Mr. Russell, the Minister stated that it was not intended to proceed with the measure this session, it had been introduced in order that it might be circulated. The Railway Authorisation Bill was introduced by Governor's message. Replying to Mr. Witty, the Minister said that the new railway works proposed to be authorised were the North Auckland (branch line to Whangarei), North Island Main Trunk (Waiuku branch), East Coast Main Trunk, Opunake branch, Featherston-Martinborough branch, Culverden-Waiau, and BalcluthaTnapeka branch. The special committee set up to consider the iron and steel industry reported against the proposal of the Ethelburga Syndicate, and recommended that the Government should make en- ' quiry into the iron industry of tke Dominio». The report was referred to the Goternment for consideration. The House went into committee on the Town Boards Amendment Bill, Ellesmere Lands Drainage Amendment BilL, Westport Harbor Amendment Bill, and State Fire Insurance Amendment Bill. On the State Fire Insurance Bill .Mr. Ell asked that if the Minister of Finance would insist on all mortgagees insuring in the State Office. Mr. Allen replied that he had already stated that he would recommend that preference should be given to the Stat* Office. Mr. Ell said that the reply was a bluff. Previous Ministers had insisted on it. Mr. Allen: That is not correct. Mr. Ell contended that the Minister'* act was an act of disloyalty to Sir Jo- < seph Ward's State Department. The House adjourned. The House resumed at 7.30. STATE FIRE INSURANCE. '' In committee on the State Fire In- \ surance Bill Mr. Fisher quoted the Cabinet minutes of the Scddon and Ward administrations, which set out that the Cabinet had released the State Departments from insisting on compulsory in- . surance in the State Office. Mr. Allen said that the circular recently issued by the Department was necessary from a legal standpoint. If business were restricted to the State .-' Offices it would mean the ruination of the Farmers' Co-operative Insurance Companies. The State Offices were not created to shut out others, but to act as a check on them. Mr. McKenzie submitted that unlessthe Government took care of the State Are insurance business, this departonent would be brought to grief, and then udwould go premiums again.

Mr. Laurenson remarked that n* amount of (lodging would alter the following facts: Last year the Government issued a circular requiring the borrowers of State, monev to insure with the State; this year the Massey Government merely urged borrowers to give preferenee to State insurance. TOWN BOARDS BILL

The Town Boards Amendment Bill wa& rer.d a third time. MILITARY PENSIONS. The Military Pensions Bill was considered in committee, Mr. Okev said that the people who would benefit under the Act were prepared to accept a smaller pension so long as it was given purely for services rendered, and not by way of charity. Mr. Fisher said that all the claims had been fairly considered. He did not think that any Government could go further than the present Government proposed to go. MILITARY PENSIONS BILL. In committee on the Military Pensions Bill the Minister accepted an amendment by Sir Arthur Guinness providing that mone3's drawn from the bank for applicant's use shall not count as income. The Bill was further amended by providing that persons who have been absent from the Dominion for a short period should not be debarred from receiving the pension. The Pensions Bill was reported with amendments. After midnight the amendments to the Railway Bill were introduced providing for representation by secretaries of A.S.R.S. Locomotive and Engine Cleaners' Association and Railway Officers' Society on the Appeal Board,' and were read a first time. The Military Pensions Bill was read a third time and passed. (Left Sitting.)