PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8240, 19 September 1906, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. , i By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, September 18. » The Couuoil met at 2.30 o'clock. The Juvenile Offenders and Sale of Explosives Bills were read a third time and passed. The Hon. T. K. Macdouald resumed the debate upon the Hon. J. D. Ormond's motion for an extended return of the Native waste lands. He criticised the apathy of the Native Land Deparment and the apathy of the people, especially in the South lalaud, respecting the question of dealing with Native lands. The Attorney-General bad no objection to the motion, but it must be understood that in voting for it he in no way subscribed to the views of the mover. The Hon. J. D. Ormond having replied, the motion was carried oj) the voices. The Couno'l adjourned at 5 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 o'clock. The Otago Presbyterian Church Board Property Consolidation Bill, Onslow Borough Drainage Empowering Bill, Hud Petone Borough Streets Bill, wore read a first time. The Preinhr moved "that the usual supper adjournment at 9.30 p.m be discontinued during the remainder of the sessipu." He held that the experience of the last few weeks amply justified the new departure, adding that there was no mention of rising at 11 o'clock, because he folfc sure if due diligence were obseived all business in future would be over by 11 o'clock. If by any misohanoe business weie ever obstructed they would, of uourso, have to sit beyond that hour. The motion was agreed to on the voices. The Fire Brigades Bill, Payment of Jurors Bill, Habitual Criminals Bill, Horowhenua Block Amendment Bill, were read a third time. Resuming the debate on the Government Advances to Settlers Amendment Bill Mr Jennings condemned the poor fees provided for valuators in large distriots of diffinult travelling. Mr Hogg was highly pleased with the provision for making further advances without further deeds. Mr Laurenson would like to see the total abolition of the "gobetween lawyer." After Sir Joseph Ward had replied the Bill was read a second time on the voices. Sir Joseph Ward, in moving the second reading of the Tourists and Heatln Resorrs Control Bill, explained that the Bill was chiefly a machinery Bill for the better and more uniform oontrol of the whole tourist system. Mr Hemes, far from opposing the Bill, thought it was a t iity it did not go further and get a ohanco of doing useful work. I Mr Laurenson warned the Bouse against too much encouragement of a demoralising traffic. Mr Hogg urged more protection tor beauty spots, and tbougbn that the tourists who think of nothing but sport and pastime ought not to bo encouraged to the detriment of the producing interest which deserved first consideration. He though mote ought to be done at Rotortia, and other sanatoriums for the old and infirm people of the oolony. Mr Allison was surprised at the sentiments just expressed about the tourists. He asserted that the tourist traffic was very valuable to the country. He denied it was in any way demoralising. He hoped the House would not be asked to hear any more suoh criticism. Mr Ell protested against the indiscriminate introduction of wild animals for the attraction of tourists, and advocated the protection of the native bird life uf the country. Mr Wilford urged the Government to buy the "Spa" at Taupo, and the Wairaki • district, because tourists are now prevented by local jealousies from seeing both these places, whioh are the most interesting in the whole thermal district. EVENING SITTING. The Premier, in reply, tmid that when the Tourist Department took up Rotorua the place was actually valueless. Since then much money has been spent on the water supply, ; lighting, drainage, ground improvei ments to various springs, streets, \ roads, and bathing establishments. The Rotorua people had the benefit of all these things, and had never bad to pay a rate. For his pait he thought they were very lucky people indeed. The Juvenile Offenders Bill was received from the Legislative Council with amendments, consideration of which was deferred to the next sitting day. The Sale of Explosives Bill was received from the Council, and read a first time. The second reading of the Town Districts Bill was moved by the Premier, who said it was greatly needed. Mr Thomson supported the Bill as rutting an end to dual authority, and thus ensuring the maintenance of the main roHds passing through these town districts. Mr Eraser and Mr R, Mackenzie denounced the Bill as likely to en- I able small hamlets to create county i rates and pieveut the maintenance of county roads. Mr Field contended that there would be hardships, but the Bill would on the whole be vory beneficial. He pointed out that the provision making 50 householders necessary to the formation of a town district was n quite good enough safeguard against the evils feared by the previous speaker. Mr Mills regarded town districts as municipal educators. Mr Fiatman knew town distriots which had been rated- by County Councils whioh had not spent one penny of their rates within their boundaries. The Premier, in reply, said that if there were anything in the arguments employed no municipalities would ever be evolved from a county, whereas, as a matter of fact, there were a great many.

The Bill was read a second time , on the voices. The Premier moved the second reading of the Local Bodies Subsidies Bill, and explained that the Bill limitsjtbejsubsidas to beannully paid to local bodies to £IOO,OOO, to be allooated on the principle of the higher the vote (all the rates together) the higher the subsidy. Mr J. Allen feared the Bill would not produce the desired effect, and urged its reference to a committee. He agreed that the old practice was very unfair. Mr Barber objected to the maximum limit for boroughs of £350 as tco low. Mr Remington calculated that in the Eangitikei County there would be a loss of £350. 'iho Premier, interjecting, said that Mr Remington was wrong, as the old subsidies were muoh less th n n he placed them. Mr Massey thought the County Counoils would all get less undartbe Bill. He thought that the subsidy pegan too soon (one farthing rate) and ended too soon (at six farthiugsl. A voion: It ought to be twelve! Mr Massey urged the reference of the Bill to a committee. Messrs Izard, R. MoKenzie, and Fisher opposed th> Bill, After further discussion, the Pre mier, in reply, showed from a retnrn that no local body had ever received more than £2,000 in the past, and that, therefore, there would be no reductions. The Inrge cities would certainly suffer, but to deolare that all round there would be a reduction, in face of the £IOO,OOO limit, was to be3t the wind. He would be quite prepared to submit the a oommitteogin view of its importance, and he would give notice of the committee the next day or the day after. The second reading was passed on the voices, and the Premier gave fcmal notice of the committee. The second reading of the Training Ships Bill was carried on the voices. The House adjourned at 10.20 p.m.