PARLIAMENT.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 63, 12 September 1908, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

[PBEBB ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, yesterday. The. second reading of the Second Ballot Bill was carried on x the voices; and the Billwas set down for committal on Tuesday next.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The regulations for the inspection of dairies under the Dairy Inspection. Act were laid \ipon the table, and referred to the Stock Committee.

Sir J. G. Ward gave notice to move that on and after Monday, 21st inst., the House sit on" Mondays at 7.30 ol clock. . -

The Premier stated that the Public Works Statement would be brought down on Tuesday week, and .on the following day he would make a statement regarding the business the Government proposed to go on with during the next session. The report of the Labor Bills Committee on the Industrial Arbitration Hill was laid on the table.

The Hon. J. A. Millar said that the debate would bo taken early next wo.ek.

The Premier moved .the second reading or" the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Purchase Bill, and Rave a sketch of the history of its inception and construction. He outlined the details of the purchase as previously published. He said that (he line had been taken over on better terms than would have been the case in 1901-2. Ho paid a tribute to those who had conducted the transactions for the company,, and said that the Government now ' possessed a lino linking --up -the most progressive developing lines of the North Island.

Mr TV. F. Massey congratulated tho Government upon the result of the negotiations. There was little for him or anyone to say regarding tho negotiations beyond congratulating all concerned upon the completion of a transaction of great importance to the country. The price was satisfactory. He, however, thought as a matter of principle that arbitration should have been resorted to

Mr James Allen said that the line would have been acquired more advantageously on the company's terms in 1901 than was the case now. The assets then included a quantity of freehold land, which was riot now included- Also, it . seetned to him, we were. paying £15,000 to the company principally because it would hot go to arbitration. .-.."'

Mr Herries agreed that the Government mado a very fair bargain. Sir J. G. Ward, replying to criticisms, said that there was no such thing as the goodwill of this railway, and tKe law specifically declared that no goodwill should be paid for. The equitable Tights of employees of the company were fully safeguarded undor the Bill, but he was not prepared to say that every employee would remain in the same, position as at present. Ho reiterated that less had been paid for this railway than any other similar line. The Government had done well for the country, and had treated the company .well. He was glad arbitration had been avoided for the sake of the country, and on the score of expense. The Bill was read a second time on the voices.

The Public Bodies Leases Bill, making general provision as to the leasing powers of local and other public authorities so as to avoid making special provisions in every Act which establishes such an authority was read a second time.

The Agricultural Produce Sale and linportation Bill was read a third time, and passed. The Inspection of Machinery Bill was committed.

WELLINGTON, to-day,

The Inspection of Machinery Bill passed through . committee, and was reported with amendments. The House adjourned at 12.35.