Parliament.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 115, 8 October 1914, Page 4

Parliament.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. , Wellington, Last Night. The Council met at 2.30. A message was received from the House to the effect that it 1 differed from the Council in regard to the amendment made to sub-clause 11 of clause 6 of the Licensing Amendment Act, on the ground that if the clause were palsied in its present form it would be possible to manufacture wine without any limit of alcoholic strength. The Council decided to consider the message to-morrow, and then adjourned at 2.40 p.m. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. On behalf of Mr -Isitt, Mr McAUum presented a petition signed by 88 clergymen throughout the Dominion protesting against the passing of the Religious Instruction in Schools Bill. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Isitt, the Premier statod it was intended to introduce legislation validating the contributions of local bodies made towards the Scott Memorial Fund. Ia reply to. Sir James Carroll, ' Mr Massey said that if evidence is forthcoming of any necessity to legislate against shipping combines, the Government "will give the matter immediate consideration.

In reply to Sir James Carroll, the Premier said he iiad been watching the operations of the Meat Truat in this Dominion very carefully. He ventured to think that-no ono was better informed On the subject than he was, and that so soon as it was proved to him that the operations of tne Truat were detrimental to the interests ol the people he was prepared to take action. At the same time he did not think the Trust could do much harm so long as we maintained the control of our railways and abattoirs, but he was keeping a close watok upon the matter. DRAIN AG H BILI& On the third reading of the Bangitaiki Land Drainage Bill, Messrs Witty and Mac Donald approved ol the good work being done, asd drew atention to the fact that the eredit for starting the work rested with the Liberal Government.

Tie House went into Committee upon the Ilauraki Plains Drainage Bill, which was being considered when the House rose at 6.30.

■ EVENING BITTING. The House resumed at 7.00. Discussion of the Haurakl Plains Amendment Bill was continued in Committee. Members generally approved of the Bill, but there was a difference of opinion as to whether it was wise toremit rates upon land for an indefinite period. ' A clause providing that no rates be collected upon tihe Hauraki settlement Jamd was agreed to, and the Bill was reported as jimended, read ft third time, anS fiaisSd. I The JSducatio» Reserves Amendment Bill was put through Committee' without amendment.

ANIMALS PROTECTION BILL.

The Hon. Rhodes moved the second reading of the Animals Protection Act, which gave the Governmeit power to acquire land for sanctuaries. Mr Ell 'strongly supported the meaurre, and expressed the hope that forest reserves would not be taken for settlement purposes in any part of the Dominion.

Mr G. M. Thomson supported the Bill. Mr Buddo approved of the Bill, and suggested that the remaining portion of Kapiti Island be acquired. The Government might also purchase some of the islands fn Waitemata Harbor. Mr Anderson Baid that one of the islands on the north of Stewart Island "was admirably Buited for a sanctuary. Mr Newman said he had little faith i* sanctuaries upon the mainland, owing to the depredation of stoats and weas•l«.

, Mr Coates congratulated the Minister upon the Bill from a sportsman's point of view. Mr Rus9oll congratulated the Government upon the introduction of the Bill. In reply, the Hon. Rhodes regretted the export of kiwi skins, but, apparently, the law was being broken. The Government had not so far been able to ae-

quire the balance of Kapiti Island. He ■greed with the suggestion that all pub lie domains should be declared sanctuaries. He agreed that stoats and weasels were destroying bird life. It was advisable to protect sporting birds. The Bill was then read a second time.

REMOUNTS. The Hon. Massey moved tlio second reading of the Encouragement of Remounts Bill, which proposed- to subsidise the owners of stallions suitable for remounts and artillery korses, the fee for service not to be more than £2. He proposed to meet the expenditure out of the receipts from the totalieator. Mr Buddo approved of the Bill, which was a modest attempt tp meet a wan£ in the country. Mr Hunter did not think the Bill' would achieve tihe object. He thought it would bo better fon the Government to purchase suitable horses and place tham at the services of farmers. Mr Davey did not think the Bill would do what was expected. The weakness of the Bill was that no eare was taken to see that only sound mares were used. He said the right thing was to bring in a Bill prohibiting absolutely the use of unßound horses.

Mr Bulck, while welcoming any attempt to encourage the.breeding of remounts, thought this could lie done by allowing farmers to do it. Mr 'Pearce supported tie Bill as an interesting experiment. Messrs MacAllum, Wilson and Russell suggested sending the Bill to the Stock Committee for revision.

Mr Coates hoped the Pramier would not withdraw the Bill.

Mr Campbell suggested either purchasing or breeding suitable stallions.

Mr Mac Donald thought the Bill went in the right direction.

In reply, Mr Massey said that ho had submitted the Bill to tho Agricultural Board, also to the chief veterinarian, and both thoroughly approved of the measure. The Bill was drawn upon the lines of the methods adopted in the Old Country. The measure was meant to help the small fanner, who wanted to breed five or six foals a year. He was quite prepared to increase the expenditure under tho Bill.

The Bill was then read a second time. The Pub ic Bodies Leasing Bill was road a second time. The House rose at 12.24.