GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12852, 10 July 1907, Page 8

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(abbidoed from press association.)

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, Jclt 9. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. ADuIttlSS-IN-HKPLY. Mr AN.SiEY resumed the debate on the Addrcj.s-m-Kcply. He spoke at loiibtderabie length ou the land question, giving general approval to the pioposuis ol the Government. With repaid to the endowment question he jr.iini it was pioper thai a small residue ot Crow ii lands siioi.Jd bo set aside und reserved lor leasehold, 'lhe Ueiiiand tor leasehold lands would aiways lie greater than the .supply. He agreed that limitation of holdings was essential, and the best method of reducing the size of holdings was through a graduated land tax, but the tax should not commence too low down ; it should commence from the point at which the economic aria was exceeded, and should proceed on a steadily rising scale, lhe proposal to substitute tili years for tho leaM'-in-pcrpctuity was not altogether sat i-factory. as no one could estimate the value of the land at the end of the term. In his opinion tho lease should un nil as at present, with revaluation • ■very 21 vcars. Mr SINCI-AFR thought a graduated land tax was the pioper method of re-dii'-ing large holdings, but whatever -.v.stem v. as adopter!, it was essential that small laiidlioldera should occupy the lands of thr> colony. Dr. COLLINS, referring to mental hospitals, said he hoped a Bill would be brought down providing for the separation of those who were temporarily mentally afllii ted from those who were hopelessly insane. Ho would iiNo like to see an institution established for epileptics. Tho debate was adjourned. Tho Council rose at 4.10 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday, July 9.

AFTERNOON' SITTING. The House met at 2.30 p.m. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY. Mr E. G. ALLEN resumed tho dobate on tho Address-in-Reply. Ho considered that railway stationniastera had a just claim in urging that they should receive the eamo scale of pay as postmasters. Mr T. MACKENZIE considered : t was tinio to put an end to what had proved a profitless and useless debate and he moved the. '• previous question Mr J. MeLACHLAN, in seconding the motion, said he was not present during the earlier stages of tho dobate, but he disapproved of the action of Mr Uonifiby in the matfcor of railway grievance. Ho (Mr Homsby) ha.l been travelling through the country stirring uip fctrifo, and next week he was to be presented with a purse ot ■sovereigns. Rolen ing to the late Exhibition, ho said tho agricultural sec tion was of no educational value, but was merely a dumb show. Tho PREMIER neked, the Speaker , * ruling as to whether Mr Mackenzie w-is in order in moving a motion, tho effort of which would be to prevent thy House carrying an Addreas-in-Reply to tho Governor's speech. Such a stop would certainly be disrespectful. Tho SPEAKER ruled that it was competent for a member to move the " previous question." The PREMIER suggested that Air Mackenzie should withdraw his motion. Mr MACKENZIE protested that the debate had been a great waste of time, and hon. members, who did not desire to prolong it by speaking, were liable to bo misundoi stood by their constituents, -n-lio -would probably mistake thoir non-participation as evidence that they had not sufficient concern for the country's affaire. Mr M.ASSKV said that members agreed i'm a good deal of waste ol time ha., taken place, but if Mr Mackenzie's motion wore carried it would be unfair to those, members who had prepared speeches for delivers. The PREMIER pointed out that members were perfectly within thenrights in. speaking, although he thought it might be advisable to make a change in tiie procedure in regar.l to tho debate on the. Addr«-s-:n-Reply. Mr Mackenzie then withdrew nis motion. The debate was carried on by Messrs Alkon and J. C. Thomson, and was interrupted by tho dinner adjournment. EVENING SITTING. The Houso resumed at 7.30 p.m. Tho debate on the Addross-in-Rcply was carried on by Messrs Mander Stevens, and ilollard. Mr Davey having replied, the motion for tho adoption of the Address was agreed to. and the House rose at 11. 35 p.m.