PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9176, 27 August 1908, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

BY TKLKGRAPH —PRESS ASBOCIA.TIO-N. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. WELLINGTON, August 26. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Local Elections and Polls Amendment Bill was received from the House, and read a second time. The Hon. J. E. Jenkinson moved the second reading of the Farriers Bill, which originated in the House, and has been before the Council on two previous occasions. The second reading was carried by 16 to 15. The Council ruse at" 4.54 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2 30 p.m. Ministers, replying to questions, stated:—That the representations made urging the more vigorous prosecution uf the South Island Main Trunk Railway will receive full consideration when the public works estimates for the year are being compiled; that ,the Government is not prepared at present to make any reduction in the railway rates for New Zealand timber; that the matter of seeing that the needy are represented by counsel in cases of dispute" arising between claimants and the other party under the Workers Compensation for Accidents Act will receive the consideration of the Government; that it is proposed to make provision regarding the inspection of wool, tow and skins before shipment in a Bill which is being prepared to amend the Shipping and Seamens Act. When the Bill comes into force the Government will consider the question of whether the Marine Department will undertake the work of making the necessary test to the amount cf moisture contained in any package; that every endeavour will be made to exempt the Dominion from any order that may be issued by the British Board of Trade prohibiting the importation of boned beef into the United Kingdom ; that it is not considered necessary to make provision in future to meet the cost of cooking at camps at Easter manoeuvres. A Bill containing amendments in the Education Bill introduced eariler in the session was introduced by Governor's message. The were on the lines suggested by the Education Committee, and aimed generally at making the Bill more generally acceptable to teachers. The Minister of Education explanied that the amendments guaided against any reduction in staffing or in teachers' salaries as the result .of the changes proposed. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The following Bills were read a third time and passed:—Destitute Persons Act Amendment, Counties Act Amendment, Municipal Corporations Act Amendment, Public Works Act Amendment. The second reading of Mr C. 11. Izard's Alteration of Time Bill to put the clock back during the sum- . mer months was carried on the voices, and referred to the Industries and Commerce Committee. The Public Works Act Amendment Bill. No. 2, was thrown out ™> a point of order raised by the Minister of Public Works. The House proceeded to consider the further classes of the estimatf."--. On the vote £232,744 of Department of Lands and Survey, Mr W. Herries complained of the manner in which small grazing run ]pa c es of 1885 were dealt with. They had been taken under (he impression that there was the right of renewal, but in some instances renewals had not been granted. The Minister of Lands explained that there were two kinds of leases, one under the Act of 1885 and the other under the Act of 1892, the latter being practically a perpetual lease. Under the earlier Act, if Jand was unsuitable for subdivision, the tenant had the option of renewing the lease, but the Government had the right to subdivide. Mr G. Witty urged that a bonus be offered for the best means of eradicating noxious weeds. Many riverbeds were full of gorse. Mr F. R. Flatman contended that gorse protected river-beds by preventing erosion. The Minister of Lands stated that last year the Government expended the sum of £I,BOO on the destruction of weeds on Crown lands. Replying to Mr W. T. Jennings, the Minister said that next year's estimates would provide for a large number of rebates in connection with the recent grass fires. The vote was passed unaltered.