NEWS AND NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 298, 10 September 1908, Page 9

NEWS AND NOTES.

PUBLIC BODIES' LEASES. Tho Public Bodies' Leases Bill is intended, (according to tho official memorandum) as a substitute for tho Public Bodies' Leasing Powers Act, IDOS, which re-enacts tho Public Bodies' Power Act, 1887. It makes general provision as to tho leasing poivers of local and other public authorities, so as to avoid tho necessity of mnking special provisions in every Act which establishes such an authority. The Bill differs from tho existing law in two chief respects:— (1) It lays down mora adequate and explicit rules as to tho granting of rencwablo leases.- Two kinds of perpetually renewable leases aro provided for in tho schedule, namely:—(a) A leaso renewable at a rent to bo doterniinod 'by valuation, on tho analogy of the renewable'leaso of Grown lands; anil (b) A leaso which is to bo offered by auction at tho end of each successive term, tho "incoming tenant paying ,to the outgoing tenant the value of his improvements. Both forms of leaso. are substantially the snmo as blioso uow granted by municipal cornora-

tions under tho authority of tho Municipal Corporations Act. (2) The Bill is wider in its application than the existing l*w. It applies—(a) To specified kinds of local authorities (e.g., county councils, town boards, harbour boards, etc.), without tho sanction of any Order-in-Couucil: (b) To any body or persuns to. whom it is m*de applicable by any subsequent Act: (c) To any body or persons.in whom lands aro rested for any public puiposo and to whom with their own consent tlio Act is made applicable by Order-in-Council. Tho powers conferred on a leasing authority by tho Act will be in addition to any powers conferred on that authority bv any other Act or instrument, but can bo exercised only so far as they are not contrary to the provisions of any other Act or any trust by which tho lands aro affected. DAIRY REGULATIONS. Replying to a question yesterday, tho Minister, for Agriculture said ho hoped lie-' fore tho end of this week to havo tho dairy regulations in tho hands of tlio Stock Committee. Ho would ask the committee to receive evidence upon them during the next week or two, and tlio regulations would then be submitted to tho House. The alteration of tho Act could not bo undertaken this session for various reasons. ' WHERE WAS HANSARD? NOT A STRIKE. While tho Houso .was sitting in Committee last evening on the Education Bill, the Primo Minister rose in his place and drew attention to tho fact that there wero no Hansard reporters present. It was the first timo in his oxporienco that he had noticed such a thing. If tho absence of the reporters was under instructions, then ho thought tho Houso ought to know about it. If it woro a new, departure under the authority of tho Speaker,' ho thought members should be given an opportunity of considering so important a matter. Ho would ,be glad to know what tlio cause of it was. His attention had been drawn to tho fact that there were no Hansard reporters present, and ho saw that there were two empty chairs there. > An Hon. Member: Perhaps it's another strike. (Laughter.) The Prime Minister said ho did not want to. get into a strike discussion. The Chairman of Committees (Mr. Roderick M'Kenzie) explained that when his. attention had been drawn to the matter ho had sent a messenger to tho chief of the Hansard staff, and ho had received-a reply that that gentleman had received instructions from Mr. Speaker that the Hansard reporters need not sit on the floor of the House when the Houso was in committee. . An Hon. Member: What are you going to do? Tho Prime Minister: I think wo should find out about it, and report progress with that object. (Hoar, hear.) His own opinion was that tho reporters should havo boon there. The Leader of tho Opposition agreed with tho remarks made by the Primo Jliiiister. They should ascertain the reason. It was evident that .thero had been a mistake somewhere. Tho Primo Minister moved to report progress. An inaudible conversation ensued between tho Loader of tho Houso and the Chairman of Committees, tho result of which was that the work beforo the committee was proceeded with. Ultimately Mr. Heko roso to a point of order. Ho understood a motion to report progress was before tho committee. ■ The l'rimo Minister said the position was that ho bad suggested thoy should go on with ; tho work until the Speaker arrived. However, to havo tho point cleared up, ho would now movo to report progress. When the Speaker had taken tho chair tho Premier said that with all propor respect to tho Speaker he felt ho was voicing tho opinion of the majority of tho House when ho said it was better that things should remain as thoy woro in the past, and have tho reporters 'present. It was desirable from tlio point of view of adequate and correct records of - amendments. These records, to a certain .extent, could be obtained from tho Clerk'of the House, but tho Hansard reporters wero employed to tako records of tho proceedings. . \ Tho Speaker said it would, bo recognised that ho had to consider in the Houso not only mombers but officers of tho Houso who were working under disadvantages in the temporary premises. Tho Hansard staff in. particular wero working under considerable disadvantages as they wero some distance from their "writing-up" room. It had not been so in the old place. They wero not required to record debates in committee, oxcopt in Committee of Supply, and therefore ho had considered it. unnecessary to licvo them dropping in and out with practically nothing to do as shorthand writers but mqrely recording longhand amendments. The Clerk of the Houso took the necessary records, and. ho (tho Speaker) had thought it unnecessary to have thoso records duplicated. Tho Primo Minister said ho fully recognised tho Speaker had given his instructions with tho best of intentions, though personally lie did not agreo with tho change. There was need for tho records of the Hansard reporters. He understood also that the Hansard reporters wero better off for accommodation than in the ■ old building. Ho would recommend that proceedings be allowed to continue as heretofore. Tho Speaker said the Houso would go into committee. : The Prime Minister: But Tho Speaker: You have tho reporters present now. Tho Prime Minister: Very well, sir. • Proceedings were continued with the Hansard reporters present.