HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8204, 29 July 1915, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WELLINGTON, July 28

The House met at 2.30 p.m. Liquor at Bellamy's.

The Speaker announced the result of the poll taken, whether or not liquor should be sold at Bellamy's. ; The poll resulted aB follows:—Legislative Council—Ayes; 19; Noes, 13. House of Representatives—Ayes, 41; Noes, 31. Totals—Ayes, 60; Noes, 44. The Speaker said the Speakers of both Houses had met, and authorised tho sale of liquor to continue. Various Bills. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time:—Auckland City Markets and Empowering Bill (Mr C. J. Parr), the Wellington City Empowering Act, 1908,, Amendment Bill (Milt. A. Wright), the Local Elections (proportional representation) Amendment Bill (Mr J. MeCombs), the Wellington City Basiiißeserve Bill (Mr 'B. A. Wright), the Mnngawhero County Bill (Mr R. W. Smith).

Native Land Courts and Land Boards.

The Native Minister laid, on the table a Departmental report on the Native Land Courts and Land Boards.

Sir, Joseph -Ward said it would be interesting to : have the particulars of Native land purchased during the-past 10 years and held Tor- speculative purposes.

The Hon. W. H. Horrics said no large blocks had been purchased. Under his Act speculators had been "scotched." By his 16gislation the Maori Council was now composed of a bettor class of men, and he was certain that no land was now being acquired that was not in accordance with the Maori Land law. His endeavour was to give more purchasing' power to the Crown, and less to individuals. He had no knowledge of any lands being bought for speculative purposes. Advances to Settlers. The Minister of Finance laid on the table the report of the Advances to Settlers Department. j

Sir Joseph Ward said he was of opinion that the profit of the Advances to Settlers Branch was £24;000 less than last year, and on the Advances to Local Bodies Branch £14,000 less than last year. He would like to have some explanation on the subject.

The Hon. J. Allen replied that Sir Joseph Ward had evidently not road the report, which stated that the loss was entirely due to the unremunerative rate of interest.

i Sir Joseph Ward said he had re-1 ceived tho report, but that did not ac-1 count for the discrepency. He wanted a return showing the, transactions of tho office during the past two years. The Hon. J. Allen said he was pre-, pared to lay on tho table any report \ asked for. New Zealand Troops at Albany. The Premier road a letter from tho Mayor of Albany denying tho rumour that the New Zealand troops had misbehaved while ashore at that town. Mr ( Massey said he was gratified to have such an emphatic assurance. Our boys were behaving themselves as men and gentlemen. Sir Joseph Ward said that New Zealand was deeply indebted to the Mayor of Albany for standing to our boys in the way ho had done. He thought his action should Ik? suitably acknowledged. Shipping Space. Tho Premier read a telegram which had passed between himself and the Union Company on the subject of shipping space for produce in tho south. (The arrangements he (Mr Massoy) considered very satisfactory. Various Questions. j The remainder of tho sitting was taken up with a discussion on answers to questions. Replying to Mr A. M. Myers, the Prime Minister said the Government had noticed what was being done in Britain and Australia with regard to ( the national registration ,of subjects. The, mattei* would be dealt, with before' •the;ses'gibjia;.comes :t0 ) ,.an,.-endl, .The mat- , -tor of /appointing a.permanent 1 board to inquire into matters concerning trade, industries and commerce had received careful consideration by tho Government.

Replying to Dr. A. K. Newman, the Minister of Defence said that arrangoments were mado with the Imperial Authorities to send back to New Zealand the sick and wounded who would not bo available again for the firing line.

Replying to Mr Myors, the Minister of Defence said that discretionary powers have been exorcised by examiners for some time in the direeton of accepting men for onlistment who were slightly bolow the military standard of height.

Replying to Mr G. W. Russell, Mr Alien said the Public Service Commission was being consulted as to whether it was practicable to pay the salaries of public servants weekly.

Replying to I>r. H. T. J. Thacker,

the Minister of Health said the men suffering from cerehro-spinal-meningitis wero in the best sanitary conditions obtainable.

Daylight Saving. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The third reading of the Definition of Time Bill was carried by 42 to 30. ! Mr Mcallum moved the second reading of the Betterment Bill. I After a long debate the second reading was carried on the voices. Factories. TII9 Factories Act Amendment Bill (Mr Wilford) was referred to the Labour Bills Committee. The House rose at 12.20 a.m.