Parliamentary.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 229, 15 July 1902, Page 4

Parliamentary.

LIOUoE Ob' R PRI'SENTATIVES. Wellington, July 11, In reply to questions Ministers stated that it was the intention of the Government to review all charges under the Advances to Settlers Department in order to see whether the charges on small loans could reasonably be reduced ; that it would be impossible to formulate a proper and financially sound school teachers’ superannua-' tion scheme and bring it before the House this session, but the whole question would be considered by the Government later on ; that the Government was endeavouring to secure a suitable cottage home for imbecile children ; that a Bill was in preparation to amend the Education Act in the direction of allowing each elector on the Parliamentary electoral roll to vote in elections for membeis of Education Boards ; that a Bill was being prepared to extend the franchise for the election of Hospital Trustees; that it was the intention of the Government to establish an experimental farm at Kamo near Whaugarei; that the Government intended to send an expert to report on the discovery of phosphate of lime deposit near Mill burn, that it was not proposed at present to abolish the sheep tax.

The Orchard ami Garden Pests Bill, tn prevent the introduction into New Zealand of diseases affecting orchards and gardens, and to provide for the eradication of such diseases, and to prevent the spread thereof, was read a second time pro forma, and referred to the Stock Committee. THE LAND AND LIVE STOCK AUCTIONS BILL. The Land and Live Stock Auctions Bill, to prevent certain abuses in connection with auction sales of land and live stock, was read a second time pro forma, and referred to the Stock Copamittee. THE BIRDS NUISANCE BILL. The Hon. Mr Duncan moved the second reading of the Birds Nuisance Bill, to provide for the destruction of injurious birds. He thought that such legislation was absolutely necessary. He would be willing to agree that in some portions of the colony the Bill should be brought into force only by Order-in-Council, or on the recommendation of the County Council.

Mr Flatman did not consider that the Bill was drastic enough. It should include a provision that the birds nuisance question should be left entirely in the hands of the Government as the rabbit nuisance was.

In the course of the long discussion which then ensued most of the speakers animadverted on the depredations of small birds. Sir W. Russel stated that no tittle of evidence has been brought forward to back up the wild assertions which had been made. One would think, he said, that the birds had done nothing but harm. He ventured to assert that the colony was infinitely better off now than it was before it had them. Mr Thomas McKenzie said that Sir W. Russell would not require much proof of the devastation wrought by small birds if he grew crops in the South Island. Strong objection was taken by several members to clause 11 which imposes a penalty for allowing birds to hatch its young within ten yards of a building. A number of members who supported the principle of the Bill urged the elimination of this clause.

The Hon. Mr Duncan agreed to excise clause 11 from the Bill.

Eventually, after a lengthly discussion, the second reading was agreed to on the voices.