PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9190, 12 September 1908, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

BT TELUQRAPH—PBKBS ASSOCIATION. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. WELLINGTON, September 11. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 o'clock. The Attorney-General in moving the second reading of the Second Ballot Bill received from the House, said that the measure was based on the German system, which had existed for 40 years, and the Germans showed no desire to change the system. The absolute majority system had been tried in Queensland, but found unsatisfactory. If it had proved otherwise the Government would have submitted an Absolute Majority Bill in preference to the Second Ballot Bill. He deprecated the conclusions of the Press on the socalled "gag" clauses. The Hon. S. T. George said that he would support the Bill, but advocated a system of voting by post. The Hon. J. T. Paul, in opposing the Bill, said that the German electoral system was a flagrant disgrace to an educated democracy, and a bye-word and reproach as an electoral system. Mr Paul paid a tribute t-> the Press of New Zealand, and adversely criticised the Press of Victoria. The Hon. W. J. McAardle and Hon. J. Barr supported the Bill, the latter remarking that certain modifications were necessary. The Council adjourned at 5 o'clock until 7.30 o'clock. The Council resumed at 7.30 o'clock. The Hons. Rigg, Loughnan, Camcross, Mac Donald and Luke, said that they would support the Bill, but were opposed to the "gag" clause. The Hon. J. J"nkinson said that he intended to vote against the Bill. The Hon. W. Beehan defended the "gag" clause. The Hon. G. Jones generally supported the Bill. The Attorney-General, in reply, defended the "gag" clause, which he';likened to a jury sent back to reconsider a verdict. He added that it was no abuse of the cardinal principles of our liberty to impose silence on the Press during a jury's (electors) deliberations. The second reading on the voices was set down for committal on Tuesday. The Council adjourned at 10.30 o'clock. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 o'clock. Mr H. G. Ell drew attention to the slaughter of pigeons at Ohakune by 30-called sportsmen, and expressed the opinion that the Government jught to take some steps to prevent wholesale destruction of native birds. A general discussion ensued in tvhich half-a-dozen members urged that those>ative birds ought to be protected by Statute, and two or three deprecated the panic as unwarranted. The regulations for the inspection af dairies under the Dairy Inspection Act were laid upon the table, and referred to the Stock Committee. * Sir J. G. Ward gave notice to move on and after Monday, 21st inst, the House sit on Mpndays at 7.30 o'clock. The Premier stated that the Public Works Statement would be brought down on Tuesday week, and on the following "day he would make a statement regarding the business the Government proposed to go on with during the next session. The report of the Labour Bills Committee on the Industrial Arbitration Bill was laid on the table. The Hon. J. A. Millar said that the debate would be taken early next week. The Premier moved the second reading of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Purchase Bill, and gave a sketch of the history of its inception and construction. In accordance with the terms of the agreement notice was given by the Government to the Company of its intention to acquire the line and the purchase was amicably agreed upon without arbitration. After discussion it was finally agreed J,o purchase the line, and that the"" price should be £900,000, and £IO,OOO for stores, and in consideration of the Company giving up possession of the line on December 7th next instead of holding on till February 28th, as they were entitled to do, a sum of £15,000 should be paid out of the earnings of the line until that period. The total purchase price was therefore £925.000, or thereabouts. It was arranged that £500,000 should be paid to the Company at the end of last month, the Company to pay interest on this amount at the rate of 4 per c»nt. until December 7th, and that the remainder be paid on February 28th, the Government to pay the interest at the rate of 4 per cent on that sum from December 7th. The House adjourned at 5.30 o'clock. Yfhe House resumed at 7.30 o'clock. Sir J. G. Ward, continuing, said that the line had been taken over or better terms than would have been the case in 1901-2. He paid a tribute to those who had conducted the transactions for the Company, and saic that the Government now possessed s line linking up the the most pro gressive developing lines of the North Island. Mr W. F. Massey congratulated th< Government upon the result of the negotiations. There was little fo: him or anyone to say regarding th« negotiations beyond congatulating al concerned upon the completion of i transaction of great importance t the country. The price was satisfac tory. He, however, thought as matter of principle that arbitratio should have been resorted to. Mr James Allen said that the lin would have been acquired more ad vantageously on the Company's term , in 1901 than was the case now. Th , assets then included a quantity c freehold land, which was not now ir eluded. Also, it seemed to him, w were paying £15,000 to the Compan principally because it would not go t 1 arbitration. t Mr Herries agreed that the Goven ment made a very fair bargain, f Sir J. G. Ward, replying, to criti< 1 said that there was no sue s thing as the goodwill of this rai e way, and the law specifically declare , that no goodwill should lie paid fo: The equitable rights of employees < il the Company were fully safeguard* under the Bill, but he waß not pn

pared to say that every employee would remain in the same position as at present. He reiterated that less had been paid for this railway than any other similar line. The Government had done well for the country, and had treated the Company well. Ha was glad arbitration had been avoided for the sake of the country, and on the score of expense. The Bill was read a second time on the voices.' ' The Hon. R. McNab moved the second reading of the Public Bodies Leases Bill, making general provision as to the leasing powers of loeal and other public authorities so as to avoid making special provisions in every act which establishes such an authority. Mr Massey generally approved of the measure. The Bill was read a second time. The Agricultural Produce Sale and Importation Bill was read a third time and passed. The inspection of Machinery Bill was committed.