EXTRA EDITION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 44, 20 August 1908, Page 8

EXTRA EDITION.

PARLIAMENT.

TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Quackery Prevention Bill was received from the House and read a first time. The Hon. J. T. Paul asked whether the Government would (1) consider the \ desirability of instituting some additional check to prevent fraud in connec1 tion with the withdrawal of savings banks deposits ; (2) the merits of the 'system adopted in Victoria, by which a depositor gives his signature to the bank, and also the name of another person as a check, which name is recorded in the books of the bank, and a depositor in addition to signing a withdrawal slip must also give the reference name before he can obtain a .withdrawal. The Attorney-General said frauds on -the Savings Sank were- very rare, and the Government could not see its way to introduce the check system. He indicated that some minor changes in the existing system would be made. Some discussion took place, when Mr. Paul moved: "That a return be laid on the table of the Council showing the totar'amount paid by the Government to private individuals for rent of public offices in the following centres : — InvercargUl, Dunedin, Timaru, Christchurch, Nelson, Wellington, Palmerston North, Napier, Wanganui, and Auckland ; the return, to show the number of offices in ■ each of the places mentioned above, the number under separate roofs, the location <a-nd purpose of same, the annual rental paid, and the length of each lease." Mr. Paul urged that there should be some uniformity of practice. The Hon. J. E. Jenkinson stated that the Labour Department's location in Wellington had been shifted seven or eight times to his knowledge. Government offices were scattered all over the town, and yet apartments in Government buildings (such as the Life Insurance office) were let to private tenants. The Hon. Dr. Findlay, in reply, said he was in accord with much of what had been said ; but it was very easy to criticise. He pointed out that the need for room for Government offices had grown amazingly. To get a suitable piece of land for additional offices was not an easy matter. This question of extensive Government buildings was at present being enquired into by a Select Committee, and when it had reported the Government would do the best possible under the circumstances. He did not see his way to accede to the request made in the motion. To get the details asked for would involve a great deal of trouble and expense. The matter was one really concerning administration rather than one for public discussion. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr. Herries presented petitions from a 'number of Maoris praying that legisla■tion be passed enabling Maoris to disipose of their surplus lands. Notice was given by Mi: Barber io ask the Po6tmasteT-GeneraJ if he will have the metallic circuit in connection with the telephones extended to the Brooklyn circuit. Mr. Jennings gave notice to move — "That in view of the facts : (a) that Mr. Justice Parker, in England, intimated that in his opinion the High Court of< Justice in England had no jurisdiction to entertain a suit for the redemption -of. the Mokau leaseholds, the property of Mr. Joshua" Jones ; and (b) that the Supreme Court of New Zealand has expressed a contrary opinion, refusing leave to appeal ; and [C) of the grave injustico suffered by Mr. Jones in the connection, the Government should in- . troduce legislation to give Mr. Jones relief. Mr. Wilford gave notice to ask tne Minister for Lands if he' will introduce legislation to provide that trustees under the Cemeteries Act may have full powers of control, and to levy contributions, and will h« also provide for full powers of joint control. The Murchison County Bill (Mr. R. M'Kenzie) and .the Qtago Heads Native •Reserve Road Bill (Mr. E. G. Allen) -were read a first time. (Left sitting.)