PARLIAMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 226, 21 September 1906, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

COUNCIL

Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, Thursday. , the Tf-rislative Council to-day the lD = Bill was read a third time i >*fzL The Fisheries Conservation : ;: Sdment Bill was also passed. '■' l ' d readino- of the Horowhenua : Bill, which passed 1 fffil last year., but failed to get fJmh the fiouse of Representatives. ;1 Seed to on the voices. The j*ay'•'V of Jurors Bill also passed by the •i «c was read a second time without 'Hussion. MUNICIPALITIES. . T i e Attorney-General moved, pro the second reading of the Muni'•Ti Corporations Act Amendment Bill, ;£j was referred to the Statutes ReIjjion Committee. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. NEW BILLS. Mr Kidd (Auckland Central) was uted leave to introduce the Auckf i Girls' Grammar School Bill, which - read a first time and referred to tCI/ical Bills Committee. Acts to pro■ide superannuation for civil servants, "jjonal annuities, and to extend the JLfeion of the Savings Bank Profits It were introduced by Governor's mes- ,^ c and read a first time. VALUATION OP LAND. 'yr Kirkbride's Government Valua(ion of Land Art Amendment Bill was ported from committee, read a third jtae after a short discussion, and passed. LOCAL GOVERNMENT. Uγ Ell (ChrisU-huivli) moved the ■j C ond reading of the Local Government ivanchise Bill, vhi-h would, he said, tjst the democratic opinions of the of the Opposition, who advoeat(d equal opportunities for everyone. An Opposition Member: "And equal responsibilities." jfc. Ell replied that the old lory instinct cropped out in this remark. His, g, he continued, was intended to establish the principle of one man one w tein local elections. On division the gl was defeated by 35 votes to 25. A BHilar fate hefel Mr. Ell's Rating on Unimproved Values Act Amendment JGI, destined to extend tbe principle of Ijgng on unimproved value to drainage, ck'ritable aid. and other local rates. On division it failed to pass ics second lending by 13 votes. TOWX DISTRICTS. llr. Flatmun moved the second readn<, of liia Town Districts Bill. This was a»reed to without discussion. LAND AGENTS. The second reading of the Land Agents Bill was moved by Mr. Witty (itifcarton), who stated it was intended to protect the public from unscrupulous land agents. He had received communications showing that the bill met with support from many land agents. The Hon. Geo. Fowlds stated that the bill provided preference to unionists with a vengeance, seeing that it prevented anyone dealing in land without paying a high license fee. He did not think it necessary to impo.se such a high fee as £20. The Hon. Hall-Jor.es pointed out i hat at present there was no cheek upon land agents, and men of bad character could engage in the work. On the principle of ensuring that t-Ve men who acted as agents were menl of good standing, he ■would support the bill. The motion TO3 agreed to on the voices. CONTINGENT VOTE. Mr. Lewis (Courtney) explained that in moving the second reading of the Contingent Vote 13111 he was introducing an old friend under a new name. The principles of the bill were the same as the Absolute Majority Bill brought forward by the *Hon. K. McNab when he ■WE3 a private member. Under the system proposed by the bill electors mark their ballot papere in the ordinary way, but in addition write the figure "two" opposite the name of any candidate for whom they wish to record their contingent vote. If no candidate receives more than half the total votes cast the contingent votes aye to be added to the original votes received by the two candidates highest on the list, the reeult of the election thus being determined. Kscnssion on the. bill centred around interesting but complex calculation of probabilities, Mr. Massey making the oily statement of fact which was that twelve members of the present Parliament did not represent a majority of their constituent-I. Tins was immexliitely challenged from all quarters. The Wl igiled to pass its second reading by eleven rotes: Ayes 21, noes 32.