PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 February 1922, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

THURSDAY’S SITTING. legislative council. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. THE DENTISTS’ BILL. Sir Francis Bell moved the’ second reading of the Dentists Amendment Bili. - - Hon. J. Barr suggested that if so much protection was given td dentists the Government should limit the charges. Hon. Colonel W. E. Collins supported the Bill saying he had heard no disapproval either from qualified or unqualified men.

Hon.—Sir Thos, Mackenzie asked the Government to meet the needs of men who could hot say they had been At work as dentists for four years continuously, owing to their work having been broken by war service.

Hon. G. J. Garland said the Bill would do a great deal of good, and he agreed with Sir Thomas Mackenzie’s contention. He also agreed with Mr. Barr that there was need for protecting the public against high charges. Sir Francis Bell agreed that where monopolies were created there should be an attempt at limitation of charges. He would confer with the Minister of Health on the point raised by Sir T. Mackenzie, and also upon the suggestion that the time within which unregistered men might apply should be extended, say, until April 30. The Bill was read a second time. HARBORS BILL. The Harbors Amendment Bill was committed. The following new sub-ciause was added to clause 3: —“A board may make by-laws for the prohibition or regulation or use of steamers, sailing vessels, punts and vessels of any description upon waters under its control, and for regulating upon such waters, and upon the foreshore and banks of such waters on the occasion of boat races, yacht races, launch races or swimming races, and may itself make charges, or authorise any sports association make charges for admission to specific parts of sueh waters, foreshores and banks on the occasion of any such race.” The Bill as amended was passed. DIVORCE LAWS. In Committee on the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Am endintent Bill,, the Hon. W. H. Triggs moved to prevent a divorce under clause 4 of the 1920 Act being secured where there has been a voluntary separation. Sir Francis Bell did not think it desirable to accept the amendment, as separation, whether judicial or voluntary, came from the same reason the inability of the parties to agree. The amendment was defeated by 24 votes to 5, and the Bill as amended yesterday was passed. OTHER BILLS. The Arms Amendment Bill was put through the final stages and passed. The Housing Bill was reported, with amendments by the Statutes Revision Committee. . . , The Council decided to insist on tne amendments made by it to the Animals Protection and Game Bill. The Companies Temporary Empowering Bill was put through the final stages and passed. a The Council adjourned at 4.27 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The House met at 2.30. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr. G. Witty, the Hon. W. Nosworthy said the arrangements for selling this season’s wheat #eie now under consideration, by the Governm™t, and he hoped to make an official statement on the subject m the of a few days. In the meantune he desired to say that the Government would .carry out their undertakings to the wheat growers to the letter, and if brokers were making any duetions from the growers, those deduo tions would have to be refunded. In reply to Mr. J. A. Nash, the Hon. G J Anderson said he was having a report made on the fatality Auektod by which four painters lost 11 but the report asked for had not yet “Tn Mr. H. M. Massey said he would inquir . “y sLi that mortga <>„ dted to a mortgagee during the pieaenv „ crisis, and widen wasreally a 8 ft ’ oiml be the subject of gift duty. H s p opinion was that such sums the subject of Mas . Replying to Mr. B. Master t sey said it was impossible at top time to increase the am from might be raised by way ol the Advances Department from thousand to ten thousand. w In reply to Mr. V. H. pl6o3e d . to .to Dr. toeker,to Hom Parr said he could not Home at of the subsidy to Nurse Maude sH * Christchurch being to one it must.be given to all, au fact guided the Publie Accounts tee to recommend that an suvl should cease. r . Ks asse y Rej lying to Mr. L. M. I , said that as soon as he °ould g to secure that end. «. R n In answer to Mr E. Newman Sir R. H. nhm-lpq said the Government could not Rhodes saiu <. home service grant badges or med a . There was Sv°er a e elS Un o? h^ 3 service menmen who were prevented £ro ™ le ®f * ol Dominion—who were deserving I consideration, and when r b : net would these men was ascertained Cabinet wourn consider whether their services should oe to Dr. Newman, the Hon Anderson said he was not going to ask Cabinet to spend any money on‘ wooden houses from America. “ “ e . ho “ orable gentleman cared to indjd« a ’ experiment of that kind he ni g • » but the Government would not. In answer to Mr. V. H. Reed, to Hon. C J. Parr said the Public Health Depaitnient was taking every possible precaution

to combat another epidemic of influenza in New Zealand.

Replying to Mr. D. G. Sullivan, the Hon. J. G. Coates said that as soon as material came to hand telephones would be supplied to subscribers who were waiting for them. At the same time, there was a great deal of /lee-way to be made up, and it would take considerable time to do it. NEW BILLS. . The Hon. Downie Stewart gave notice of his intention to introduce the Road Boards Amendment Bill. The Urewera Lands Bill, providing for the consolidation of native and European interests in the Urewera district, was, on the motion of the Hon. J. G. Coates (Native Minister) read a second time, after several members had complimented the Minister and Mr. Ngata on making such a satisfactory arrangement with the natives.

The Hon. J. G. Coates moved the second reading of the Native’ Land Amendment and Native Land Claims Adjustment Bill. This was a native “washing up” Bill, and the Minister explained that every clause in the measure had been carefully examined and approved by the judges of the Native Land Courts and the Native Affairs Committee.

Mr. W. D. Lysnar strenuously objected to clause two, amending section 92 of the Native Land Amendment Act, 1913, and clause seven, authorising the Maori Land Boards to pay consideration money for the transfer or assignment of a lease under part sixteen of the Native Land Act, 1909, to native owners. These clauses were just as strongly defended by Sir Wm. Herries and Mr. Ngata. “Let the member for Gisborne stand aside,” said Mr. Ngata. “He is representing the pakeha, and this has nothing to do with him.” The discussion was proceeding at the 5.30 adjournment. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at RAILWAYS BILL. In committee on the Government Railways Amendment Bill, Mr. W. A. Veitch moved an amendment to clause two, providing that no arrangement between the Minister and the railway men regarding hours, wages and conditions shall have effect until ratified by a ballot of the men. The amendment was rejected by 44 to 25. The Bill was reported with minor amendments, read a third time and passed. BILLS PASSED. The following other Bills were put through the final stages and passed: Urewera Lands Bill, Native Land Amendment and Native Land Claims Adjustment Bill, and Discharged Soldiers Settlement Amendment Bill. RELIEF FOR TRAMWAY COMPANIES. The Hon. J. G. Coates moved the second reading of the Tramways Amendment Bill, which he said was largely a machinery amendment of the Tramways Act, and gave relief to certain tramway companies which suffered owing to war conditions.

Mr. Harris contended that the Bill was a local Bill intended for the special benefit of a private cojnpany, viz., the Takapuna Ferry and Tramways Company. He hoped the House would assist him to throw the Bill out.

The Hon. W. D. Stewart said the case was not as bad as Mr. Harris painted. There was a justification for the Bill.

Mr. M. J. Savage said the Bill was an outrage upon democracy, because it took power out of the hands of the local Borough Council and placed that power in the hands of the Minister. Mr. J. A. Young said he did not vote against the. second reading, but there were clauses in it which he would fight against strenuously in committee. Mr. R. A. Wright could not understand the object of the Government in bringing down legislation which filched away power from local bodies. He was right up against this Bill, and would vote against the second reading.

Mr. W. E. Parry said the Bill gave the Takapuna company privileges which the Borough Council had refused, and that was the whole object of the Bill. The debate was adjourned on the motion of the Hou. E. P. Lee.

The Premier intimated he intended to make the report of the'- Harbors Bill Committee the first order of the day on Saturday. The House rose at 11.28 p.m. till 11 o’clock to-morrow morning.