PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1915, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

By Telegraph.—-Press Association Wellington, Last Niglr*,

NEW BILLS. When tho House met to-day the Mfn« ister of Internal Affairs introduced too Rating Amendment Bill, Lake. Coleridge Water Power Amendment Bill, and Municipal Corporations Amendment Bill, which were read a first time. Sir J. G, Ward gave notice to intro* duce the Cost of Living Bill, and Hon, W. F. Massey the Legislative Council Amendment Bill.

The following Bills were introduced by Governor's Message and read a first time:-—Reserves Disposal Bill, Mining Amendment Bill.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Sir J. G. Ward said he would consult with the iPublic Trustee to ascertain if the Department could undertake the preparation of wills of soldiers leaving for the war.

Hon. W. F. Massey said the establishment of a criminal court of appeal would be considered during the recess. THE GAMING ACT. , ; The Minister of Internal ASaira moved that the amendments mads/ I>J»| -the legislative Council, in the Gaming Act be agreed to. The chief amendment, he said, was in the direction ot allowing the Wellington Racing Club to have a totalisator permit, in place of one lost through the Club's grounds, he* ing utilised for the sick and wounded, On a division the amendments went agreed to by 52 votes to 7.

The amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Births Regttfrv tion Aet were also agreed to.

PETITIONS. The chairman of the Petitions Com* mittee recommended that the petitions in reference to the competition be« tween the National Provident Fund and Friendly Societies be sent to the Govern* ment for consideration, with a view to co-ordinating the bulk of the Friendly, Societies and National Provident Fund* and a conference to be held at an early, .date,

The report of the committee on tho petitions praying that licensed bars be closed at 0 p.m. during the war affirmed that, as a matter of policy was involved, it had no recommendation to make, and suggested that the Govern* meqt investigate the subject. MORTGAGES AMENDMENT BILL. | Hon. A. L. Herdman explained tho nature of the amendments made 'by the •Legislative Council in the Mortgages Ex. tension Amendment Bill, and moved that Clause 8a be disagreed with, and thai a committee consisting of Messrs, Wilford, Lee, and the Minister be appointed to confer with members from tke Legis« lative Council.—Agreed to. KAURI fiVM INDUSTRY. The Prime Minister moved the second reading oi (.he Kauri- Gum Industry Amendment Bill, which proposed to give extended powers to the Minister in the purchase and sale of kauri gum. He explained that owing to the war, the outlet for the sale of gum had been restricted, as our vnemm were the principal buyers. It was proposed to send commissioners witli a complete knowledge of the trade to America and Japan. ■ to negotiate for the sale of present stock. Areaa of Grown lands may be '. set aside for kauri gum-digging purposes, and such land may be disposed oi in areas not exceeding 3000 acres. A heavy penalty is provided for the unlawful lighting of fires in kauri gum cßatriots. Messrs. T. YV. Rhodes, ,T. G. Coa'tes, F. Mander, C. H. Poole, aaid A. E. Glover supported the Bill, agreeing that it would promote settlement and the industry at tho same time. Messrs, A. Harris, H. J. Thacker, and W. T. Jen- , nings also supported the Bill, which was 1 read a second time. VIiIKXDIA SOCIETIES.

Hon. J. A. Ila nan moved the second reading of I he. Friendly Societies Bill, the principal clause, of which provided for validation of the rules of eonsolM*tion of bcnelil fund*. M«»r» W, T, i Jennings nud li. A. Wright pointed out | objections to tin- Hill, and thought « conference should lm held to give members of Friendly Societies an opportunity to '"ire their opinion upon it. '* Mr. C. I'. Parr contended that means ought to be provided to allow branches that had been weakened in membership, owing l<> the war. to amalgamate with hirgvr hranehes.

Mr. C .1. 'l'alliol hoped the Bill would ' go t.im.ugh. lie-am-e it. would supply & want long fell by Mieieties. He recognised that there must lie "pooling*" ot' funds to enable I he highest rate* of interest to be ohiained.

Mr. A 11. Iliudmar-h said the Hill, was a very important i»»e, ami should have been brought down (-arlier in the session, lie knew ilu-,1. -oiiie ;i:-r-i>n * interested in friendly -=<> -it-il,-: r.-garded the Bill as a mo-l uniusl measure.

Mr. 11, Kiel,-her 5,,;,] the Minister would he wisely a.hised if he did not take the Dili past the second reading this year. IVr-aimilly, he stromjlv objected to the power ghv„ | n t |, e Bill to' sue 'a the Magi-miic's Court for penalties.

Ihe -Udl was read a -e.-und time, on the nnderstandiiis;" that a conference would he called during the recess. • LAM) LAWS AMKXmiKXT."

Tlie Premier then mov.il the second readily of I In- Lands Laws Amendment Bill. He !<nid this was not a. policy measure in iln< ordinary sense, of the word. Th,to were only (wo eonteutioue clause*, which had beun approved by the of Crown I and*.

Mr. (!. Willy "nid that a promise was made, on the formation of the National Government, that no contentious legislation was to he brought down. Then were two or three eontent.ioiis clauses in the Bill which would he strongly op. posed, and delay must necessarily he caused,

Hon. W. D. S. McDonald opposed Clause 14, providing for the revaluation of Crown Lands. He thought it would act unfairly to the man who had, been in occupation for three years, aid be hoped tiie Prime Minister would give the point every consideration when the Bill was in committee.

Messrs Buddo, Anstey, Scott, and EU also spoke, and the second reading wae carried on the voices.

The House went into committee on the Kauri Gum Industry Amendment Bill, which was reported, reed a third time and passed.

The House rose at 12.40 gja,

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