PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3007, 2 October 1908, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (By Telegraph—Abridged from Press Association a ßeport). WELLINGTON, October 1. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 o'clock. f The Naval Subsidy Bill, Advances to Settlers Act Amendment Bill, and Jmmigratisn Restriction Act Amendment Bill from the House were read a first time. The Public Bodies Leasing Bill was further considered in Committee. (Clause 8 was amended to provide that a public body need not accept the highest or any other bid or tender for a lease, and that a lease offered and not sold may within three months be soid by private contract at a rent not .less than the upt-et rent "at which it was offered; but this may only be done in pursuance of a special reso lution of the leasing body. At Clause 14 progress was reported. Dr. Findlay moved the second reading of the Naval Subsidy Bill, which was agreed to by 25 to 3. Messrs Barr, Paul and Rigg voted against the Bill, which was put through Committee amended, read a third tim" and passed. The Council adjourned at 5 o'clock till to-morrow.

HOUSE OF REfRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 o'clock. The report of the Extension of Commerce Committee upon several petitions praying for an increase of the duty upon imported timber that in the Committee's opinion the increase of duty would be inadvisable, but that the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. The report was ordered to lie on the table. The Hon. J. McGowan moved the second reading of the Justices of Peace Amendment Bill, which was agreed to. Sir J. G. Ward moved the second reading of the Old Ace Pensions Bill. The chief amendments have the following effect: —Any, person qualified in oth<»r respects fot a pension can have a pension if for one year he has led a sober and reputable life, this removing tne anomaly under which an old age pensioner at present is disqualified for fivfe years for conviction of drunkenness. Provision is also made that in cases of conviction far drunkenness Magistrates may upon application of the registrar suspend a pension certificate for a period of one year, and also that under certain circumstances such! certificates may be cancelled. Section 10 of the principal Act is also amended in the direction providing that the interest of any person in any life assurance policy or annuity from a life assurance company shall not be deemed to be accumulated property. Section 11 of the principal Act is amended i»> direction of increasing the value of the property which can be placed in the hands of the Public Trustee from £3OO to £650. The House adjourned at 5.30 o'clock, and on resuming at 7.b'J o'clock,the debate was continued. Mr W. F. Massey generally approved of thefßill as an improvement upon the existing law..

The Bill was read a second time. The Hon. G. Fowids moved the second rending of the Infants' Amendment Bill, making certain amendments in the direction of improving the machinery of the financial provisions in the principal Act. The Bill was read a second time without debate. The Local Bodies' Loans Amendment Bill was read a third time. The Land Laws Act Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor's message. ,

Messrs Herries, Greenslade and Massey protested against the measure being brought m at this late period of the session. ( Sir J. G. Ward said that important measures were brought down by every Government in the world towards the end of the session. He ob jected to be charged with rushing things. If it was necessary to sit a month longer let them do so.

After some further discussion the Bill was read a second time pro forma, and referred to the Native Affairs Committee.

The Hon. J. A. Millar moved the second reading of the Harbours Amendment Bill. The motion was agreed to on the voices.

The Hon. K. McNab moved thesecond reading of the Waipuka Block BiH. This was agreed to.

The report of the Managers in connection with the conference, with the Council on the second Ballot Bill was read by the Speaker It shows that the amendments made by the Council in clauses 2, 18 and 22, ar? agreed to and that clause 19 is struck out. This means tihat the 500 majority clause and gag clause disappear. , Sir J. G. Ward stated that the gag clause had been sacrificed because the Council would not agree to the clause as sent from the House, but insisted upon its own amendments Mr Massey said that this was the greatest surprise of the session- In spite of his loud talk the Prime Minister had been beaten all along the Sane. The report was agreed to.