PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4513, 2 September 1893, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

ENCOt'RAOEMENT OF THE FLAX INDUSTRY. The Manufactures ind Industries Committee, who have been considering the question of encouraging the flax industry, presented their report to the House yesterday, through Mr J, G. Wilson, chairman. The committee state that thpy are of opinion that an expert grader should he appointed by Government for tho purpose of protecting tlio interests of tho producers, such expert to bo paid hy the grading feus charged by the manufacturers, so that no expensn will fall upon tho Colony, notwithstanding the possible difficulty of getting tho purchaser to take advantage of audi a grade. The committee strongly urge upon the Government tho necessity of offering a bonus of £-1000 for the encouragement of the flax industry, to be distributed in the following manner ; (1). A bonus of £B,OOO for a machine or prows which will materially reihiM tho cost of production; (2) n bonus of £SOO for a machine or process which will materially iucrease tho value of dressed fibre; (3) & boons of £SOO for a mode of utilising the waste products of the industry. Under tho regulations which have been drawn up, all tests of the machines or processes shall be conducted before a committee of three or more experts, and in each case twenty tons of green flax will be supplied, to be manufac tured into dressed fibre, bailed up ready for shipment. THE STOCK BILL.

The clause in the stock Bill, providing that an inspector shall neither own stock hitn>elfuor be agent for any dealer, was struck out at a meeting of the Stock Committee yesterday. Tbe period for securing compensation for imported stock whioh has boon slaughtered was reduced trom twelve to mx months, It was decided that the introduction of virus for scientific purposes should be allowed on the understanding that the consent of the Minister was first obtained, FootroC was struck out of the list of contagious diseases. The time for dipping sheep was extended from Ist January to 80th April, Tho penalties in tho Bill were reduced, THE HATING BILL.

That portion of tho Bating Acts Amendment Bill dealing with the taxing of Native Land was before the JNatifo Affairs Committee yesterday, when the provision in clause 2, exempting hind within the counties of Kawhiu, Taupo West, Taupo East, Sounds and Fiord waß struck out, There was considerable discussion regarding sub-section 2, which provided that land more than five miles from any public road or highway open for horsetrafficeliould be exempt, and eventually the words '. open for horse traffic' were struck out.—N.Z. Times.