HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 96, 20 October 1904, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House continued its sitting yesterday afternoon. SUPPLY OF AMMUNITION. In moving the second reading of the Ammunition Supply Bill, the Premier said at present the Government could only enter into a contract for the supply of ammunition for three years, and he proposed to increase the term to five years, with the right of renewal for a siinilai period. The oalony, he said, was in a. very favourable condition in regard to its supply of ammunition, and as the last contract had run out, he thought it advisable to bring in a Bill which would enable even better arrangements to be made. The Leader of the Opposition said he would support a measure providing for the ammunition works being taken over 'by the Government. Mr. J. Allen wanted to know whether we could make the ammunition for the artillery. , The Premier said the Bill referred to small-arm ammunition. Mr. J. Alien thought we should make an attempt to manufacture big gun ammunition in, the colony. As to the Bill, he thought care should be taken that the colony was not handed over to the tender mercies of a monopoly, which the measure proposed to create. The Government should take statutory rights to manufacture its own ammunition. The Premier, in reply, said a condition could be put in the contract, as in previous contracts, giving' the State power to take over the works, and he would have a clause drafted for that purpose when the Bill was in Committee. The Government had obtained a report as to manufacturing big gun ammunition, and the Bill dealt with all kinds of ammunition. The Bill was read a second time and referred to the Public Accounts Committee, together with the draft contract. TAX AND VALUATION DEPARTMENTS. The Premier moved the second reading fo the Public Officers' Appointment and Powers Bill, which proposes to separate the positions of Valuer-General and Commissioner of Taxes, remarking that it was very difficult for one man to fill the two portions, and that it would have been better if the two positions had never been amalgamated. To do justice to the valuing of property in the colony required the undivided attention of one of our most capable men. The Leader of the Opposition supported the Bill, expressing the hope that the Government 1 would select men worthy to fill the positions. The second reading was agreed to on the voices. The Bill was then put through Committee without amendment, read a third time, and passed. THE REFERENDUM BILL. This Bill was considered in Committee, progress being reported on the motion of the Premier under circumstances reported elsewhere. MINING COMPANIES BILL. The Mining Companies Bill passed through Committee with the amendments made by the Mines Committee, and was then put through findl stages. MARRIAGE LAW. The Marriage Acts Compilation Bill (which is merely a compilation of the existing law) was committed, read a third time, and passed. FERTILISERS BILL. In Committee on the Fertilisers Bill some discussion took place on da-uses providing, inter alia, that "the fact that any fertiliser is in the possession or under the control of a vendor shall be' prima facie evidence that such fertiliser is offered for sale." The Minister for Publio Works, who was in charge of the Bill, moved, at the irstance of Mr. Buchanan, to amend this by, providing that the fertiliser must be in registered branded packages. Eventually this was agreed to, and the (clause passed as amended. The Bill was reported with amendments, which were agreed to, and it was put through final stages. COMPILATIONS. The Education Acts Compilation Bill was put through Committee, and the Divorce and Matrimonjal Causes Acts Compilation Bill was put through final stages. The House rose at 0.50 a.m.