PARLIAMENT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12638, 27 October 1905, Page 8

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

WELLINGTON, October 26

The Council met at 2.30

In the course of the debate on the Aid to Public Works and Lands Settlement Bill the Hons. Bolt, Mai-shall, and Oarncross said they desired to see the half completed railway lines finished before any new lines were undertaken, because they would then be rendered reproductive to the colony. The Hon. Fraser was pleased to note that goodly sums were put down in the Bill for back-block roads. Replying to criticism, the Attoa-ney-General said the Government was pushing forward witih every expedition such lines as the Midland, North Island Trunk, and Otago Central. The Bill was put through Committee without amendment, and passed its final stages. - The Horowhenua Blocks Act Amendment Bill was read a second time, put through Committee, and read a third time. The Council at 3.35 p.m. adjourned till 7.30.

The Council resumed at 7.30. MAORI LANDS SETTLEMENT BILL. The Education Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. The Hon Pitt moved the second reading of the Maori Land for Settlement Bill.

The Hon. Mahuta said he appreciated the measure as one which would greatly benefit his people. The Hon. J. D. Ormond said he regarded the Bill as a good one, and he trusted the next Parliament would yet further improve the legislation in the direction of dealing with the native lands in a similar fashion to that being done with the lands of Europeans. The provisions as to leasing or selling native lands might also be improved by bringing the native lands under the Native Lands for Settlement Act. Perhaps the best part of the Bill was contained in clause 16, which removed the restrictions against alienation by lease, and whilst holding that the waste native lands might have been dealt with similar to those under European control, yet he agreed to accept the present Bill without amendment. The Hon. T. Kennedy Maodonald strongly condemned the Bill as one quite unfair to Europeans, and condemned the Government for bringing such an important measure down during the dying hours of the session. HOUSE OF~REPRESENTATIVES. After the Telegraph Office closed the Mining Acts Amendment Bill, the Australian and New Zealand Naval Defence Bill, the Taranaki SchoLarships Bill, and the Mining Acts Compilation Bill were put tihrough their final stages. The House rose at 1.15 a.m. until 11 a.m.

This morning's sitting was devoted to the consideration of local Bills. But little progress was made. A lengthy debate tcok place on the Waimate Hospital District. Bill, which was interrupted by the luncheon adjournment. The House resumed at 2.30. WORKERS' DWELLINGS. The consideration of the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Workers' Dwellings Bill was postponed. Mr Seddon urged it was outside the province of the Council to amend the Bill as it had done, making these dwellings liaible to rates. The Council's amendment was a grave: infringement of the privileges of the House, and one that should be resisted by the House.

QUESTIONS. In reply to questions, Ministers stated That two inspectors are to be appointed to inquire into the affairs of the North Island District Grand Lodge, U.A.D.O.

That up to the present no intimation had been received from the Imperial Government that a Colonial Conference is to be held next year, and the colony wi'l not be involved or be committed definitely to any undertaking involving large public policy or financial obligation "without the representatives of the people being consulted. Everything involving public policy and finance passed at previous conferences by Prime Ministers was subject to confirmation by the respective Parliaments. That public offers will be invited and all shippinJg companies will be given the opportunity of providing a suitable service to South Africa on reasonable terms.

AN EX-POLICEMAN'S PETITION. The Public Petitions Committee reported that it had no recommendation to make on the petition of ex-Constable Juriss, of Dunedin, -who complained of having been compelled to resign from the police force under the threat that otherwise he would be dismissed. The case arose out of the Dunedin police scandals. Mr Reid moved that the report be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and after a lengthy discussion this was carried by 46 votes to 6. The House rose at 5.30. The House resumed at 7.30. SHOPS AND OFFICES BILL. A message was received stating that the Legislative Council insisted on its amendments in the Shops and Offices Bill. It was decided to ask for a conference. HOROWHENUA BLOCK ACT AMENDMENT. The HoroTvhenua Block Act Amendment Bill was received from the Legislative Council; Mo* Speaker said that in his opinion the Bill was an infringement of the privileges of the House, in that it contained an appropriation olause. On the motion of the Premier the Bill was laid aside. BILLS OF EXCHANGE. Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Bills of Exohange Act Amendment Bill, which has already passed the Legislative Council. Mr Taylor and others strongly objected to clause 4, which provides fwr the destruction of cheques, etc., after ten years. The second reading was carried by 46 votes to 8. TEACHERS' SUPERANNUATION. By Governor's message new clauses were brought down in the Teachers' Superannuation Bill, preserving the existing rights under the Bill of contributors who were members of the Civil Service up to the time of the coming into operation of the Act The Sentry Hill-New Plymouth Railway Deviation Bill was read a second time. DISTRICTS BILL. Sir J. Ward moved the second reading of the Town Districts Bill, which provides for the formation of town districts in counties when at present they are not allowed to be formed. Several members urged on the Minister the desirability of deferring this measure until next session with a view to embodying it in a general Local Government Bill. Sir J. G. Ward asked that the second reading be taken, and if in committee there were strong obpections to its passage the feeling of the House could then be tested.

The Bill was read a second time on the voices.

Mr Seddon reported that the conference on the Legislative Council's amendments in the Shops and Offices Bill had failed to agree. It was decided to ask the Council for another conference.

The Horowhenua. Lake Bill was road a second time. The Qneenstown Reserves Bill, Sentry Hill-New Plymouth