HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 229, 25 September 1903, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

NEW BILLS

In the liouse this •afternoon the Gamin? and Lotteries Act Amendment Bill 'Hon. McGovvan), Labour Department Bill (Premier), were read a first time. The Labour Department Bill, Midland Railways Settlement Amendment, and Sea Fisheries Amendment Bills were introduce, by Governor's message, and also road a first time

WATER POWER,

The Hon. Hall-Jones moved the second reading of the Water Power Bill, which reserves the sole right to use water in falis, rivers or streams for the purpose of generating electricity to the Government;, subject to existing rights. The [lower may be delegated to local authorities for public works, but the- Act' shall not affect the right to use water for mining purposes, provided that the i'se of morn than 40 heads shall not be granted to one company, except without consent of the Minister, in moving the rtecomd reading, the Mins.tier referred to thie great strides made iv the use of electricity for motive -and light purposes

in the- Old World, and to Hie enormous amount of power available in tlie streams of New Zealand. In most case., the power would not be us*ul by the State, but by local bodies in the vicinity of the various falls. The expert /(Mr Haincock), who was to report as to the best means of utilising the wonderful facilities of the New Zealand streams, was now on the water from San Francisco to Auckland, and he had no doubt that as the result of his report, and the con-s/tjuent action of the State and local bodies, the reorganisation of the manufactories of Wew Zealand would be effected.

Mr McNab expressed approval of the principle of the measure* but said that it would n.ed several alteration, in Committee. As the bill stood, a farmer who used a fall in a crock on his own property for working a chafl'-cutter would be doing an illegal act. lie presumed thire- Minister did not intend to go so far. (T!_. .Minister: "No.") Mr McNab pointed out that beside this, a papermill would not be able to use a stream for its works, ancl this also the Minister did not desire; therefore alterations would hd\_ to be made, itc believed it would be better not io delegate the [lower to local bodies, but compel everyone who wished to obtain electric power rights to go direct to tho Minister. (The Premier: '-Hear, bear.") Mr McNab was certain that if the local bodies had the power they would bleed someonte through the nose.

Mr Massey adversely, criticised the bill, objecting particularly to the power under Cue bill to permit ingress and egress over any lands adjacent to any river or stream, which was practically giving a right of way over any land. The hill, as a whole, was one of the most loosely constructed that, had ever been placed before tine House. He did .not oppose ihe principle of the bill, however, believing that every effort should be made to brino; tbe vast power now being wasted into operation. The bill prevented wafer in river, and streams being used for domestic, manufacturing, and all other purposes, and this would have to be attended to when the bill was considered in Commit tee.

Mr Buddo took a similar line to that adopted by Mr Massey. If the bill were passed in its present form there would be "o s..fe<y in the future for Water Supply Hoards or County Councils, and it took away all the rights given them in IS9-1.

Mr Taylor congratulated the Government on the' introduction of tlie bill. though some diflicully might be experienced in negotiating with tlie General Government. It would be. aimo_. impossible to negotiate with the little tinpot bodies who had local rights.

Mr Witty opposed the bill in its present form, on the ground that it would rob the farming community of their water rights. He declared that the bill was introduced for Christchurch and Christchurch only.

At the present stage Sir William Steward would oppose the bill unless irrigation systems were protected.

Sir William Russell objected to the Government having a monopoly of electrical energy, considering that foreign syndicates and experimenters should be given every opportunity to develop the resources of the streams. He urged the Government to spare no expense in securing a complete report from the American expert.

After further debate tbe second reading was carried on the voices, and the House rose at 12.30 a.m.