PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8220, 25 August 1906, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

By Telegraph—Press Association.

WELLINGTON, August 24. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The debate on the Address-in-Reply was continued. The Hon. W. D. 11. Baillie (Marlborough) dealt with defences, and said he hoped the suggestions of the Commandant of (ho Foroes, that offioers should receive* better remuneration, would be carefully considered. The Hon. F. Irask (Nelson) congratulated the Hon. A. Pitt upon being appointed Minister of Defence, and then went on to deal with defence questions, making special reference to the necessity for encouraging rifle clubs. The lion. S. T. George (Auckland) referring to Hon. J. Ring's suggestion that there should be an Australasian navy built, said it would involve infinitely more cost to this colony than our defence system had done in the past. Ha thought the colony should very largely increase its contribution to the Imperial Navy. He expressed the opinion that it would be advisable to have a volunteer corps attached to each school. "By this means," said the speaker, "we would in a few years have a large and competent force of volunteers." With repard to old age pensions, he would like to 668 this scheme placed outside of charity. It oußht to oe considered payable as a right, and he would like to see the pensions made general in application. This could be done by setting aside certain Customs duties, say, tea and sugar for th« purpose. He hoped there would be no reduction in the doty upon tobacco. The Hon. T. Kelly (Taranaki) approved of the intention of the Government to bring native ißnds into acquisition. If natives were left to deal with their lands they would eventually be left in a destitute condition. He held that the baokHocks ought to be considered before the tourists. The.debate was adjourned on the motion of the Hon. T. K. McDonald (Wellington). The Council rose at 5 p m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 o'clock. The Address Committee, with the mover and seconder, accompanied the Speaker to Government House, and presented the Address to the Governor. On the return the Speaker read the reply of his Excellency the Governor. Mr A. L. D. Fraaer was, on the motion of the Native Minister, given a week's leave of absence. The following Bills were read a first time:-—Fire Brigade, Products Export Amendment, Tourist and Health Resorts, Control Greymoath Harbour Board Loan, New Plymouth Borough and Taranaki School Commissioners Exchange, Domain Boards Funds, City of Dunediu Lands Vesting. x / ' The Speaker road to the House Mrs Pinkerton's acknowledgement of the sympathetic resolution of the House passed on the death of her husband, and the document was added to the records on the motion of the Native Minister. The seoond reading of thePonkawa Native Reserve Bill was agreed to, and the Bill was referred to the Native Affairs Committee. The Minister of -Justice moved the seoond reading of the Adoption of Children Amendment Bill, explaining that the measure, though brief, was very important. Clause 2 did not think would be always obeyed, bat the principle of giving premiums for the adontion of children was wrung, and should be prevented by the Legisature. This touchei a blot in our social system, which Parliament ought to do its best to remove. Mr Wilford agreed with Clause 3, but he would oppose Clause 2 as unnecessary in view of the many safeguards established against "baby farming," and too drastio in interfering with legitimate provision for the comfort and amusement of children. Mr Barclay agreed with Mr Wilford, adding thnt the majority of people who adopt children are perfectly honest. .'Mr lianan could understand a clause to meet the case of persons making a practice of adoption, but Clause 2, with Us too drastic effect, pressing on probably innocent people, be could not. Mr Heke and Mr Buddo opposed the motion. Mr Laureason supported it, iustaucing a case within his knowledge in which the promise of a large sum had been followed by the death of a child. Mr Tanner wQuld go so far as to vote iu the seoond reading. Mr Izard knew of good adoption, wbioh could not have been prevented had this Bill been law. "Baby farming" and adoption, no reminded the Minister, were too very different things. The Native Minister, replying to Mr Heke, said the Bill did not apply to Maoris at all. Mr Witty did not like either clause of the Bill. Mr Bennett was inaudible. Mr Batitne said -'ditto" to Mr Izard with more detail. The Minister of Justice, in reply, urged that the known misahief done must bo dealt with. He ridiculed the sentimental arguments employed as baseless, and insisted that this Bill would not prevent the adoption of children by worthy persons. Tne Bill was read a second time ou the voices. The Premier moved the "Registration of Births Extension Bill" for the "registration of children bora previous to a period of six months before the passing of the Act." He explained the affect was to enable persona to dn what they ought to have done before. It was not a ca*e for reducing fees, but he would consider any leasonable suggestion iu Committee. The Bill was read a seoond time. The House adjourned at 5,40 p.m. (Continued on page 6) 4