Parliament

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 109, 1 October 1914, Page 4

Parliament

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL * { WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30i- ■ MORNiNG SESSION. By Telcgrnnlt -Press \ -'"■iatlom Wellington, September 30; The Counci'met. at 10 a m > The Imprest Supply Bill No. 4. for f 070/KK), was received from the House Mid pat through all its stages. The Council then rose until 2.30 p.m. EVENING SESSION. The Council resumed at 2.30 p.rav GAMING ACT AMENDMENT. Hon. Ilarilv moved the second reading! of the Claming Act Amendment Bill. He was of opinion that the measure would tend to improve the breed of horses in the country. Hons. Duthie and lAitken opposed the measure, and the Hon. George supported it.

The Hon. Bell exlainod that it was not Intended to extend gambling, but to give justice to country clubs. Hons. Moore, Paul, MeGinnity, Fisher, and Jones gave ft qua ifieil support to the measure, and the second reading was carried by 18 votes to 5. OTHER MEASURES. The factories Act Amendment, Medichl Practitioners, and Animals Protection Bills passed through the second readings, practically without debate. The Council rose at 4.0 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. AFTERNOON SESSION. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Speaker announced that the Legislative Council hud agreed to the amendments made by the House in the War Risks Insurance Bill, and that the Council had passed the Imprest Supply Bill, No. 4. THE EDUCATION BILL. Mr G. M. Thomson, Chairman of the Education Committee, reported that theCommittee had considered the Educating* Bill, and recommended lhat it be allowed to proceed, with amendments. THE COOK ISLANDS.

Hon. Pomare moved the second reading of the Cool; 1.-laiiils Bill, lie said the measure lmd been designed to bring the laws of the Islands as closely iii line With the laws of New Zealand as possible, but in addition to consolidating the Island ordinances a number of new features were introduced. Tile establishment of State schools would be provided for, financial arrangements made for better communication between the different Islands; a Federal Council would bo set Up in each Island; administration of justice put on a more satisfactory basis, the model followed being that in existence in New Zealand, with modifications to meet Power was taken in the Bill to administer lands, and Native Land Courts would be set up, marriage officers appointed, and the sale of intoxicating liquor to natives absolutely prohibited. The liquor traffic is tinder the control of the Customs Department. Sir Joseph Ward Baid that no member of the House could grasp a Bill of C 75 clauses after a brief explanation by the Minister. There wa-i nothing to show What was new. There were matters of importance dealt with, and he personally did not enrn to take responsibility of dealing with them without knowing more about them. The Bill lliould be referred either to the N'ativ© Affairs or the Statute Revision Committee.

Hon. A. L. nerdman said that a condition of chaos had existed in the Cook Islands ever since we took charge, and now, when an effort v.-,is being made to put them right, they could get no help from the Opposition, only carping criticism. Thero was no vital reason why the Bill should not be sent to the Statutes Revision Committee.

Mr Glover claimed that the people of the "Slimmer Isles of Eden" should havo representation in the New Zealand Parliament. He further urged that the Bill »hould not be passed until 6omc of the Islanders had luid an opportunity of giving evidence before a Committee. The House rosi at 5.30 p.m.

EVENING SESSION. f " The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Hon. Massey announced that it would be necessary to move the adjournment of the IIous», an;! the Cook Islands Bill Was referred to the Statutes Revision Committee without passing its second reading. After passing the vote of sympathy With tho family of the late Hon. T. Fergus, the House adjourned, as a mark of respect.