PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8269, 24 October 1906, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON October 23. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. Keplying to the Hon. W. Miller the Attorney-General said that the Agricultural Department would make enquiries duriug the recess hs to most approved method of shoeing horses Jn Europe and America. The Standing Orders were suspended to enable all Bills to pass all stages at one sitting. The Government Advances to Settlers Bill was amended by message from the Governor, aud a new clause wus also agreed to giving power to lease in lieu of selling in cases of default of any instalment or in observance of any covenant. The Fisheries Conservation Aot Amendment Bill was amended by message by the addition of a clause that all regulations under the principal Aot shall bo deemed to be talid and effectual as if the same fcad been made after coming into operation of the Act. Tne Tourist and Health Kesorts Control Bill was read a third time and passed. The New Zealand Loans Aot Amendment Bill to provide a sinking fund for loans was agreed to without debate. This Bill, together with the New Zealand International Exhibition and Customs Duties Adjustment Bills, were put through the final stages. The Council rose at 5 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WELLINGTON, October 23. The House met at 11 a.m. THE MEAT TRADE. Mr Buddo, Chairman of the Public Petitions Committee, presented a report on F. Moore's petition for an enquiry into the meat trade. The Committee bad no recommendations to make. PRUSS ASSOCIATION. The same Committee reported that it appeared that the Press Association wbs a close corporation, and recommended that its methods should be referred to a seleot committee of the Honee for investigation. Mr Jennings supported the Oomrmittee. Mr Ell said a meeting at Kaianoi of the Farmers' Union had passed a resolution in favour of the Land Bill, but that baa never been heard of, but antagonistic resolutions were telegraphed far and wide. Mr Massey agreed that the methods of the Association should be enquired into. biased and misleading accounts were telegraphed at times from various towns. The Premier followed in the same strain, but be thought at the same time the manager of the Association found great difficulty in getting capable men in sufficient numbers for the large quantity of the work. Mr Mandei complained of the "lot of rubbish" published. Mr Flatman said that what was rubbish in one place was frequently much liked in another. Mr Malcolm denied that the Press Association was favoured iu any way by the State or a souroe of public expense. He attributed occasional failures of reporting to the impossibility of covering all the distances required at certain times. Mr W. Fraser was amused by the bias shown by various members against various papers, and exhorted the House to wait till next year for the true facts, of wbioh it was most certainly ignorant at present, when it might come to some useful conclusion. Mr Gray agreed with Mr Fraser, painting out that bon. members bad taken the opportunity to get even with the papers tbey disliked. Mr Buddo, replying, said there waa no. evidenoa before the Committee to justify any other conclusion. The report was ordered to lie on the table. The Legislative Officers Salaries and Pure Food Bills were read a first time. The Premier in reply to Mr Massey said that the first Bill would be pressed, and the second Bill bad been brought down for circulation. The Premier moved the second reading o<" the Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Bill. The Premier reminded the House that it had been agreed to take this opportunity for discussing the Public Works Statement. Mr Massey did not object. The Public Works Statement waa disoussed at considerable length.