Parliamentary.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 59, 16 October 1900, Page 3

Parliamentary.

Wellington, October 13. Mr Ward moved to reintroduce the Manawatu Eailway Purchasing Bill. He explained that the Bill consisted of one clause only, designed to empower the Government to enter into negotiations for the purchase of the Manawatu Railway. The terms of such negotiations were to be provisional, and subject to the assent of Parliament. Unless the* Government entered into negotiations now, it would be necessary to give the Manawatu Company an extended tenure. The House could rest satisfied that the Government would not do anything foolish or extravagant in connection with the Manawatu line. After discussion the seoond reading was agreed to on the voices. ,

Mr Duncan moved tlao second reading of the (Jrown Tenants Bebate on Rent Tiill, which provides foe a rebate of 10 pen cenb on all r«jflt paid within oae month of du9 da^e. Captain Russell contended that a political appeal wa^ made to Crown tenants in Bub-section 4 of 3, which provides " That this Act shall remain in force until the 1 expiration of the first ajssion c( next Parliament and no longer." II « thought thai CftVQ tenants \v«re veil eutJl.od to the rebate psroDosed in the BilL and be hoped that in addition to tan, tenants who had made theful 3 value of improve ments provided by law should nu hdvo to pay their rents in ad van' . Mr O'Meara recognised that t£ie Billj would grant a littie relief" to many settlers who were now suffering because of theic holdings being considerably over- valued. Ho urged the Minister to have a made by a competent man in cases where selectors complaiaed of then* rents being too high. Mr fi!l opposed the Bill. He considered that the counrry settlers had received sufficient concessions aud contended that people in towns had been taxing themselves for the benefit of Cvjunu-y^residents. Mr Tanner charaotwistd the Bill as the most uncalled for and moat unnecessary measure ever introduced into the House, aud said that his opposition towards it would be persistent and continual. If the readjustment or rebate had applied only to the pionoers of civilisation in the North Inland the Bill wouid have had the hearty support of ail sections of the Houao, but ho sttjhgly opposai & violation of the principle which was contained in the Bill.