ROUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 33, 2 November 1907, Page 6

ROUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE.

TAUMARUNUI TOWN COUNCIL, When the House met yesterday the Taumarunui Town Council Election Validation Bill was read a second time without discussion. The object of tho Bill is to mako valid the election of the Taumarunui Town Council. Doubt as to its validity had arisen owing to tho election having been Acid prior to the gazetting of Taumarunui under the Native Townships Local Government Act 1905. FIRE SRICADES. The Fire Brigades Bill was called on for second reading. The Bill has already been through the Legislative Council. Tho Hon. James CaVroll, who had charge of the measure, recalled that the Act of last year had been found unworkable, and that this Bill was to take its place. The two chief features of the presont measure wore (1) that it was to be permissive, and (2) that the amount of the TrSastfry contributions in the case of the four centres was to bo a fixed sum and not, as previously, decided on a- rating basis: Short-comings Pointed Out. . Mr. James Allen (Bruce) regretted that the last year's Bill had not been gone into more deeply, so.that this substitution might have been obviated. •It was not often a measure had to be repealed a year after being placed on the Statute Book. Referring to. the provisions of the Bill he said that Clause 5 was important inasmuch as it limited the'operation of the'Bill to local bodies of five thousand inhabitants. This, he complained, would cut out smaller districts which desired to come in uuder its provisions. Undesirable Concessions. , Mr. Barber (Newtown) was extremely sorry that tho. Government had abandoned the provisions of last year's Bill, making contributions from insuranco companies compulsory. He had. looked for a considerable reduction in the upkeep of fire brigades in the four cities, but under this Bill this'would not be possible. ' He argued'that tho meaauro wpuid bo inoperative by reason of sub-clause (c) of Clause 5, which sot out that "no such proposal shall bo doomed to bo carried unless affirmed by a'majority of the valid votes recorded, and at. least one-fourth, of the ratepayors on the roll recorded their votes." He said it would be impossible ltd raiso enough enthusiasm (especially in the City of Wellington), to secure a sufficient number of votes to carry the proposal. Rocontly only seven per cent, of the ratepayers had recorded their votes at Wellington on a matter of greater importance than this. Thero would also be influence brought : to bear against the proposal by tho' insurance companies (hear, hear) who 'would be propared to spe.nd money to prevent the effectiveness of tho Bill. The Bill, ho declared, would prove inoperative in the direction most desirable, and ho could only believe that the Government .had backed down since last year. If the Bill of last year was unworkable, it could have been nfade operative without tho principles, it contained being, altered. The Population Basis. : Mr. Gray agreed with what had been said regarding tho population of firo districts and the provision as to the number of : votes required, at tho poll. Ho did.not agree with the proposed amount ,of the contributions. Ho pointed out that at Christchurch tho value of the public buildings was. one-ninth of the total City, valuation, whilo the Bill pi oposed that the Government's contribution should be only, ono-thirty-fifth.' The Minister had hinted that perhaps this clauso could be altered in Committee, but, said Mr. Gray, no. Government, liability could be-increased, in Committee. Mr. Buddo (Kaiapoi) suggested that the population limit should bo reduced to 1500. Sir William Steward, also showed that'on the present population basis many of the smaller towns possessing, fire brigades would bo excluded. • ■:■ Other Points. ; Mr. W. To Wood (Palmerston North) referred to tho clause dealing with tho acquirement of the Fire Brigades' properties. At Palmerston, ho said, the section on which the fire brigade buildings stood was valued at- £4000. It was intended to erect a>public library there at no distant date, aud if the property wero taken over by tho Government the best site for the institution would bo denied the Borough. Ho hoped provision would bo inserted to deal with such a position, and allow another section' to bo acquired for brigade purposes. As to representation on the /Boards ho said that'underwriters'were, to have three membors, but care should bo taken .to .see that nono of the local ■ body representatives woro also underwriters.' Ho'suggested that the Government representative should he chairman of:tbo Board. Mr. Wood advocated increased contributions from, the Government, at all events until the Fire Boards obtained a footing. Mr. Flatman (Gcraldine) disagreed with the provision permitting firo districts to bo dissolved on the applicatiipi of the contributory local authority. He supported the endeavour to reduce tho population basis.

The Hon. J. Carroll, in replying, said it certainly did seem wrong that if 25 per ecnt. of the voters were required to create a fire district a- local body of nine members could dissolve tho Board; As to the population basis, the limit was fixed at 6000 on account of the expense to be bbrno, but ho thought that'tho minimum might well be ralucedi Regarding tho amount of Govornmont contribution, he had 'been pleased to hear what had been said, ami after discussing the matter with his colleagues, perhnps a larger sum could be substituted by Governor's message. . Tho Bill whs then.read a second time.

MARINE INSURANCE.

Tile second reading, of the Marino Insurance Bill was moved by the Hon. J. A. Millar. Tho ■Minister said the,measure was entirely a technical one. It litld been fully gone into in "another place," and was approved by all the marine, insurance companies. Its effect would , bo to make uniformity in the-law affecting marine insurance. A "preface" to the Bill by Mr. J. W. Salmond, counsel to tho law-drafting office, states:—"This Bill adopts a recent English Act —the Marino 'Insurance Aetj 1000 —which codifies tho common law on this subject. It marks a further step in that gradual process of codification which is already exemplified by tile Bills of Exohsuigo Act, tho Sale of Goods Act and the Pariiiership Act. I am not aware that tho English Act makes any material change in the substance of the law. Mora Light Wanted. Mr. J. Alien would like tho Bill on account of its technical nature to have been submitted to the Commerce Committee of the House, or to a committee of experts. Mr. T. Mackenzie said that though the Act had received the approval of tho insurance companios," the Minister said untiring about the opinion of those who were I the insurers of goods. It was desirable in measures of this kind that both sides should be fully considered. Mr. J. G. W. Aitken (Wellington EnstV was also of opinion that the measure should have

gone to the Commerce Committee. They wero legislating for those who insured as well as those who figured more prominently in commercial life—viz., tho insurance companies . In replying, the Minister for Marine said it might have been advisable for the Bill to go to tho Commerce Committee if it had contained any alteration of the existing law. But there was practically no alteration. Ho intimated that tho Bill would not go into committee for a day or two, and members could look fully into the clauses with a view to suggesting alterations. The Bill was read a second time.

DESTRUCTION OF OLD CHEQUES.

The second.. reading of the Bills of Exchange Act Amendment Bill, which has already passed tho Legislative Council, was moved by the Promior. Sir Joseph Ward said tho first object of the Hill was to enahlo all cheques and bank drafts in the possession of tho bank on which they wero drawn and all promissory notes to be destroyed lifter tho' expiration of ten years from tho due date. Tho proposal was simply to save useless accumulation. The second provision of tho Bill was to attach responsibility for fraud in tho case of cheques to the person responsible for the negligence. A Suggestion. , • Mr. Aitken suggested that it should be optional for old cheques and drafts to be returned to tho drawer; Tho Premier replied that this suggestion had not yet been made, but it was a good one, and ho would pwhably bring in an amendment to give effect to it.

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS.

The Agricultural Implements Manufacture, Importation, and Sale Bill came up for second reading. The Minister for Customs (the Hon. J. A. Millar) > said the Bill was intended to continue the operations of the 1905 Act. It also defined clearly that the words " British manufacture" referred only to goods manufactured in tho British Isles, and not in any of the British colonies. The Bill was read a second time.

POLICE OFFENCES BILL.

The second reading of the Polico Offences Bill was moved by the Minister for Customs. This measure, which previously passed through tho Legislative Council, seeks to render it an offence for anyone to infer without authority that a business, calling, etc., is under the patronage of the Goyornor or members of his family. Provision is also inserted making it an offence for any person to use the name of another individual without permission as the name of any animal, ship,, building, institution, article of merchandise, etc. Further clauses aro inserted to prevent the use of abbreviations wrongfully inferring that a diploma, degree, or certificate l , is held. ■ • ■ ■ . The Bill was road a second time.

SUPREME COURT PRACTICE.

The Supremo Court Practico and Procedure Acts Amendment Bill, which a few days ago passed through the Upper ilouso, was read a second time. . ' ■

INVESTMENT OF.SAVINCS BANK / DEPOSITS.

The House then went into Committee to consider tho Post-office Savings Bank Investment Bill. The Bill provides for the' investment of certain Post-office funds. A 1 sum not exceeding £200,000 is authorised to bo transfoiTod from , tho Post Office Account to the-Public Works Account. The rate of interest is not to be less than the maximum ratefor tho timo being payable to depositors. The money so transferred is to bo used in the erection of new post-oflico buildings in Wellington and Auckland. > Tho Bill was reported from Committee without ameudment. '/ ,

I HUTT RAILWAY AND ROAD. '

Consideration in Committee was given to tho Hntt Railway aud Road Improvement Bill,- which proposes to authorise tho expenditure, of an additional sum-of £100,000 in improving the Hiitt railway and road. Statement Wanted. . ■ , Mr. Hemes asked the Premier' for some details in regard to this work. Tho Premier did not reply, and Mr. Herries moved'to report progress' in order to obtain the, information. Ho thought the extent of the expenditure domandod a statement'from,tho Premier. • ' ■' . • -

Mr. Massoy supported the request of Mr. Herries; and Mr. Hogg said thero was a feeling in tho country .that.-in proportion to the money spent in useful roads and bridges amount allocated for railways not so urgent was excessive. \The Premier, in replying, said ho had submitted all details on tho previous- evening. He proceeded briefly to say that tho work was costing well un|ler £10,000 per mile, and it was necessary tho lino should bo pushed on. Mr. Massey said he recognised the necessity for these duplications, but ho showed tho necessity there was for care "to. be taken that the best methods' were pursued. Tho Bill was reported without amendment.

LOCAL BODIES' LOANS..

The Local Bodies' Loans Act Amendment Bill (Right Hon. .Sir J. G. Ward), was next coir.mittcd. ' ' - . Mr. Hcrries' moved to increase the limit of a Town Board' 3 borrowing power from £300 to £3000. Ho said these -boards wero sometimes obliged to spend as much' as a Borough. ' ■ ■ . ;■■>'. I The Premier said ho could not'accept th'o amendment, because ij; would involve' reducing the loans to County Councils. The limit could not bo raised at all. ■ / Mr. Massoy said there were, cases in which newly-constituted Town Boards had all their roads to form, and wore compelled by law to do so. Tho borrowing limit was extremely hard in those cases, and tho limit should bo raised to at least , £looo. , . ..' ' The Premier said the money would not bo availablo for, this purpose. If the Act wero widened; as spme members wished, it would bo smashed altogether. ' The amendment was defeated by 37 votes to 13. ' ••■ . Mr .Hogg moved to provide that all special rates for interest, on loans should be levied on the unimproved valuo. Mr. Massoy spoko against the amendment, which, lie said, would tax the poor man. The Premier, said.ho could not accept for several reasons. Tho unimproved vahio rating system''should not be imposed on districts which had not voted for it; Tlio amendment was lost by 40 / votes to 8. Tho Bill was reported without amendment.

ADVANCES TO SEtTLERS.

Tlie Government Advances to Settlers Bill (Sir J. G./,Ward) was next taken in committee. ■ ; _ ■ The Premier moved-a new clause to amend tile principal Act so as to allow advances to workers to be mado on other lands besides nrban and suburban lands on the same terms. . . ■ : ■ This .was adopted 011 the voices, and the Bill was reported with no other amendment.

SCAFFOLDING INSPECTION.

Thn Hon. J. A. Miliar moved tliq second roiuling of the Scaffolding Inspection Act Amendment .Hill, which brings scaffolding under 16ft. high under the operations of thn principal Act, and makes other provisions for tlie safety.of workers on buildings in course of erccFion, : as already stated in TIIK Dominion. The Minister, read messages from employees' and workers' unions approving of,the Bill, and said ho would move in committee-certain minor amendments suggested by some of these organisations. The second ruatfiig was carried on the voices.'

WORKERS' COMPENSATION BILL

On the of the Hon. J. A. Millar, the AVorkers' Compensation Bill was read a second time pro forma, ami referred to the Labour Bills Cmimiittee. The Minister said ho did not thero would ho time for-the Dill to be discussed this session after- the committee had finished taking evidence on it. : ; The House rose at 12.15 a.m.