PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 October 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The External Affairs Amendment Bill and the Civil List Bill (No. 2) were received from tho House and read a first time. When the second reading of the Marriage Amendment Bill i(No. 2) (Hon. J. MaoGregor) was called on, the promoter was given permission to postpone the matter until this day week. Sir Francis Bell moved the second reading of the Te Aroha Crown Leases Bill, saying that the progress of the town was prevented by the present system of mining leases. If ever there was a case Where there was an answer to those who raised the old cry of leasehold v. freehold it was in the case of the Te Aroha shopkeepers who had mining leases. The Hon. W. J. Geddis feared that this was only the beginning of similar demands from all over the country. The Hon. O. Samuel said it would be unfair to put the Te Aroha leases already occupied up for auction. The second reading was carried by 24 votes to 6. . . The Military Service Amendment Bill and the Valuation of Land Amendment Bill were put through their final stagesi and passed. The adjourned debate on the Treaties . of Peace Amendment Bill was continued. Sir Francis Bell said the use of the term indentured had misled people into thinking that some form of slavery was in operation. The days of "black-bird-ing" were gone by. The present form of indenture gave an opportunity of labor in one country to go elsewhere under a proper contract governing transit and the period of engagement. Chinese were going to a country where no Judge was under the influence of the Government, and where there would be no going back on the highest traditions cf British justice. Was there anyone who could doubt that any petty tyranny would be put down immediately by the Government of New Zealand. The Bill was read a second time. The Council rose at 4.85 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. NEW HOSPITAL DISTRICT. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. The afternoon sitting was occupied by questions to Ministers and reports on petitions. In the evening, the Hon. C, J. Parr moved that the House go into committee on the Hospital and Charitable Institutions Amendment Bill, a measure which proposed to divide the, Otago hospital district, giving a special district to South Otago. He said, the Premier and himself, having gone carefully into the position, had come to the conclusion that the demand of the people of South Otago was warranted. The debate, which up to midnight Ehowed no signs of terminating, was continued until two o'clock, when the telegraph office closed. The sitting gives every indication of continuing to early morning.