HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXI, Issue 8443, 10 August 1911, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WELLINGTON, August 9. :The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Hon. J. Carroll referred to the, death of the late Mr John Bevan, of Hokitika, a. one-time member of the House of Representatives. He moved that the Hoiise place on record its appreciation of the services rendered by the late gentleman, and tender its sympathy to his widow and family." Mr O. A. Hardy (who seconded the motion), Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, the HonR. McZenzie and Mr J. Colvin spoke in appreciative terms of the services rendered to> the country by the late Mr Bevan. . The motion was carried. i QUESTIONS'. ; The Minister, in reply to questions, stated that the Government was considering the advisableness of giving a hundred thousand pounds worth of oil to the Imperial Government for use in the Imperial Navy, in lieu of an annual cash contribution of £100,000.

That, new police regulations' would be issued shortly.

That the legal position and powers of New Zealand in the direction of ridding the country of emissaries of the Mormon faith would be enquired into.

That there is no reason to feel the slightest anxiety with regard to New iZealand's legal- position in the matter of wireless telegraphy.

That" the Government did not consider any action necessary in connection with the behaviour, of the Minister of Public Works, when waited upon by a deputation headed by the Acting-Mayor of Wellington, to discuss; the tranlway regulations. . That the matter of less frequent "alteration of the • electoral boundaries i would be considered. "

That provision for' the rehearing of the^ Elingamite enquiry would be made in the Shipping and Seamen's Amendment Bill.

That it Was not intended to introduce a Bill this session to assist local bodies to finance current accounts at lowest' posible rates 1, or make it optional whether they could have one or more banking accounts.

That legislation be introduced this session, if time permits, making wages the first claim upon bankrupt estates. tates.

That the Government was considering the question of duty on imported butter, with a view to deciding whether it was a matter which should be brought under the Monoply Prevention Act, or be included in the Schedule of Committee Trust Act.

That it was 1 not intended 'to make any alteration in the Land for Settlement Act of 1908 at present.

The remainder of the sitting was •devoted to discussion on the answers to questions.

The House adjourned at 2.30 p.m The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. TOWN PLANNING BILL.

The debate, on the second reading of the Town Planning Bill was resumed. Mr Massey said that incorporation of the Town Planning Scheme in the Opposition platform was intended to show, the people that the party recognised the necessity for such a. scheme, and they intended to pursue' it if placed in the position to do so. He objected to the centralizing tendency of the Bill; it contained too much interference with local bodies. He supported its title, but not its details. He thought there was far too much Go-vernor-in-Council in the Bill. > .

The debate 1 was. again adjourned, and the House rose at 11.15 p.m.