LEGISLATION AHEAD.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 253, 23 October 1909, Page 5

LEGISLATION AHEAD.

WHAT THE'goVHEKMEST ~ PROPOSES. AX AMBITIOUS PROGRAMME. (Sy Teiesninir.—Parilamentaq- ■ WELLI^GTO^ - , this day. Tie Prime Minister informed the iiouse afternoon what mea*iire= the Uovenunent would ask Parliament to pot through this, session. Apart from the Financial Statement, which, J?' go through, there would Be legislation dealing with proPoesus lor ottuiining money to advance bota to sett Sera in the country and aa toons to local bodies. Then there would ** IjiLcd Finance Settlement Bin. Mr. Msasey: The same bill as last The Prime Minister: Practically. Wβ Vi »• t ' W Hoase t0 P ut that through, ine 1 r:m.> Minister, eontinmns, sal<i that he hoped Parliament would also put tn« National Annuities Bill on the sjiwtwe Brfo'c this session. "My proposals connected with defence matters* he continued, « w ffi: be submitted, and these Parliament is to be asked to pat through tli« session. I .propose, apart from the general Defence Bill, to ask Parliament to give the necessary authority tor the payment for the Dreadnought whi<& die . country has offered, and wtueh has been accepted by the British, w»«n»n>t. -When submitting that bill, I think it would he most convenient to make a statement connected withthe Imp.n-.ai Defence Conference, telling as fully as is possible w.hat was done ami what the proposal are; also how the Dread nought is to be provided, and ho<v it Is co be paid for. "Then -.here will be an amendment of the land laws of the country," continued the Prime Minister. "A bin will be submitted, and I hope the House will ne able to put that legislation through. I have no <ioubt that they will if they appiy t-rea-el-es to it with, a. sincere desire to help to solve this difficult proilem. What the proposal wiH be I cannot say yet. Another important matter to be dealt with is the question of native lands. " We should be able to put that biir through this- session. Parliament will also be asked to deal wita an important matter affecting liquor licenses in the King Country. The question is one of the greatest importance, arLshig out of recent circumstances, and it i≤ proposed to give the people the right of expressing their oprniona." ■Mt. • Ma-ssej-r Does that mean that the people in the King Country are goio* to be given the right to votet The Priras Minister: I am not prepared to go into the matter now. Then there is also tTie question of pneumoconiosis. Last year there axoee a great deal o* discussion in regard to this complaint (which, i≤ also known as miners' disease) being Included In the "Workers* Compensation Act. It is now • proposed to strike the clause dealing with, pneumoconiosis oat of the Act r and a-t the same time a proposal will also be brought down to stop the medical examination of miners over sixteen years of age, \>y striking out -the one provision, and preventing the other. I think we will be : able to give satisfaction to both partie* concerned. ."XowV added Sir Joseph, "I think I have outlined what we intend to do» Ttere may tie other measures, bnt these ara the most important, and the bills we desire to be dealt with this session " . ' - Mr. Bavey: What about the Sarbouß Board Bill? The Prime Minister: It will be circulated, but I do not know -whether w* will press for its passage through, tbfl House this sessio , !. Mr. EIL- It should be put throtig^i. ilembers: Hear, hear. Tlie Prime Minister: I am not going to attempt the , impossible. If we cam place on the statute book this session the proposals I have outlined, we will be only too pleased to take others ia their sequence of., importance. ilr. llalcolmr What about the Ele©»_ toral Act Amendment Billt The Prime Minister; The matter of electoral reform requires the meet careful consideration. If anything is to bo done, it will be done before the end of the session. lam not, however, going to do things in pie'cp"*-3al faehion.

Mr. KusselL suggested zhait it might be as well, to dispose of private membeta?.bilU this session, and allow the Housq to settle seriously to the Governmenl[ business. None of the private members* bills before Parliament would' suffer il shelved for 12 months.

The Prime Minister: I will be pleased to- look into- the matter' and ascertain members' views. ■

Mr. Massey said he hoped, that th# Prime Minister would, not accept Mc, Russell's suggestion. Mr. Mander: What .aihout the Timbe Commission's report?

The Prims Minister: An. opportunitjj will be given, the House to discuss that report. ■ ■~:■-. >iT----.-.