HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 98, 22 October 1904, Page 5

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House continued its sitting after we went to press yesterday. THE FEDERAL COMPANY. The afternoon was occupied in discussing the report of the Commerce Committee on the contract with the Federal Steamship Company for tho West of England service. The debate is reported elsewhere. NEW BILLS. The Public School Teachers Salaries Amendment Bill and tho Railways Authorisation Bill were introduced by Governor's Message, and read a first time. The Teachers Salaries Bill was referred to the Education Committee. RATING NATIVE LANDS. The Native Land Rating Bill, which makes native lands liable to full (instead of half-rates) passed its final stages by 54 to 12, alter another strong protest from Mr. Kaihau, who reiterated his threat that he would bring it under the notice of the Imperial Government. Mr. A. L. D. Fraser also entered a protest against passing such legislation until the Maoris were placed on the same footing as Europeans with regard to the disposal of their lands. Maoris were allowed to vote in Parliament on any subject that came up, and ye>t they were not allowed to manage their own lands. REGISTRATION OF PLUMBERS. The Colonial Secretary moved the second reading of the Plumbers' Registration Bill, which he said was desired by both the journeymen and master plumbers. It provided for the issue of a colonial instead of a provincial certificate. Mr. Arnold complained that there was no distinction made between the man who got his certificate after examination and thß man who was certified on the ground that he was working as a plumber under an award of the Arbitration Court at tne time of the passing of the Act. Some encouragement should, he urged, be given to men to become proficient in their trade. He had heard of no resolutions in favour of the Bill being passed by either employers or employees. Mr. J. Allen pointed out that though examinations were contemplated by the Bill no provision was madfc for holding those examinations. Several speakers urged that the Bill should be submitted to the trade, and also put before the Labour Bills Committee. After further debate the second reading was carried by 28 to 26. The House rose at 1 a.m. until 7.30 p.m. on Monday.