PARLIAMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 163, 11 July 1900, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Telegraph-Parliamentary Keportcr.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

j RESUMPTION OF PRIVATE J"- LANDS. In the House this afternoon a Bill to consolidate and amend the law relating to the acquisition of private lands for purposes of settlement was introduced by message from His Excellency the Governor, read a first, and the second reading appointed for Weclnesdav next. RETURNS. Motions for the following returns were agreed to: Officers employed in the Prison Department, length of service, transfers, promotions, etc.; total area of State forest cost of re-plant-ing when they are destroyed by fire. Estimated Value of plantations. Amount proposed to be expended for current year.

THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

Captain Russell asked when the Financial Statement will be delivered. The Colonial Treasurer said, while he admitted the importance of the finances of the country, he also recognised the importance of certain legislation now before Parliament. He was endeavouring to prepare Bills for coneideration in the Legislative Council, *md when further progress had been made in this direction he would consider the question of bringing- down the Financial Statement. GLASS MAKING.

Mr Witheford asked if the Government will propose a bonus or subsidy in ofder to encourage the glass manufacturing industry in the colony. He said the value of the import of glass was £70,000 annually, and there was no reason why it should not be made in the colony.

The Commissioner of Customs replied that the history of the glass making industry in New Zealand had shown that it could not be successfully carried on, because the cheap labour of older countries enabled them to undersell colonial manufacturers.

FREE CARRIAGE OF GRAVEL,

Mr Lang asked whether the Minister of Railways will take steps :to have gravel, or road metal, carried free on the Government railways, to be used <inly on roads that are feeders to the railways. He said the concession would result in a large increase in products, and in the railway goods traffic.

The Minister of Railways said he must take a fair business view of the question, and at present rates charged for the carriage for gravel or road metal were as low as were possible to make them, viz., 1/8 a ton for 25 miles. If free carriage of gravel were granted, it would be carried on at the cost of some other industry.

As to a similar request in connection with the free carriage of bonedust and artificial manures, Mr Lang said lime was carried free of charge, and artificial manure was of more importance to farmers.

The Minister of Railways said h>J would shortly lay a report on the table showing that the free carriage of lime Jiad not been adequately taken advantage of.

• Mr Allen: "Yon did not provide •trucks." ,

Mr Ward said he could not see his way to carry manures free, but he would reduce the charge to the lowest .possible .limit. ' OLD AGE PENSIONS.

■Mr Herries asked when a committee will be set up to whom the regulations made under the Old Age Pensions Act must be referred. The Premier said the.regulations will be submitted to a committee. : FEDERATION. Mr Massey reminded the Premier that a fortnight ago he had asked when a committee would be set up to consider the whole question of Federation, and that the Premier had promised to consider the matter and Irnfoirm: the House of his decision. He now asked what the Premier intended to do. The Premier said the matter had not yet been decided, though it had been talked over in Cabinet. He had nlo desire to evade n full discussion of the question, which might be referred to a committee. GENERAL QUESTIONS.

' Answers to other questions were given by Ministers/The replies stated that the Government does not intend to establish a sanatorium for the treatment of consumption;, that the Education Boards Election Bill would be introduced on. the lines of the measure of last year; that the GovernDnent will convey to South Africa parcels of comforts for the members of the Contingents, except in,cases where they were addressed to individuals or companies; that.it would be improper and invidious to issue suitable medals to engineers and guards of railways who have not had an accident during a period of consecutive years.' What was of more importance, said the Minister of Railways, was that merit' should count in making promotions; that the Government would consider the question of supporting a. private Bill recently introduced with the object of suppressing tote betting. .

ORDERS OF THE DAY,

The second reading of the Factories, Shops and Offices Bill was postponed.

The Weights and Measures Bill was read a. third time., and passed, and other Bills were postponed until Wednesday.

The House adjourned at 5.30. PLAGUE PRECAUTIONS.

Mr Witheford is to ask the Govern-' ment whether they do not consider the time has arrived when the enforcement of the means adlopted for preventing a special disease coming into the colony should be suspended or relaxed?