PARLIAMENT. TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 16, 19 July 1910, Page 8

PARLIAMENT. TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Tho Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Attorney-General moved a motion Tecordmg bhe council's high, sense of the valuable services rendered to New Zealand by the late Mr. R. Hobbs, formerly a member of the House of Representatives. Dr. Findlay referred to tho fact that the late Mr. Hobbs was tha author and father of the Gaming Act of this country. A discussion took place on a motion originally tabled' by the Hon. T. K. Macdonatd, but moved 'to-day by the Hon. J. B. Callan, urging the Government to arrange for installation of electric stoves in Hie council chamber and to retain the present gas heaters for use in the case of emergency. The Hon. W. W. McCardle opposed th« heating scheme and declared that the room was all right. The question of the erection of new buildings for Parliament' was imported into the d-isenssion, the Hon. J. Barr remarking thr.t the scheme of which so much had been heard last session seemed to have been advanced no further. Dr. Collins said the room was never too cold — to heat it would render it unhealthy. It was a fact that the ventilation was very bad. In the course of a reply, the AttorneyGeneral stated that th"e 'electric heating apparatus would be fitted, and in reference to a statement made by Mr. Barr, he said that the new Parliament Buildings would come very much sooner than the hon. member apoeared to think. "We have very much "before us at the present) time," he said, "the question of erecting buildings worthy of our country and worthy of our Parliament." (Left sitting.) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Illie House met at 2.30 p.m. A petition was presented by Mr. Wilford from John Jeffries, ex-constable, praying for compensation. , Mr. James ADen gave notice to ask the Minister of Defence if he will delay the making of appointments under the new defence scheme until the new commandant arrives. Notice was givou by Mr. Laurensoii to move in committee on the Harbours Bill a new clause providing for representation of waterside workers on the boards. Mr. Wilford gave notice- to ask the Prime Minister whether he will enquire as to the advisability of setting aside the area in the vicinity of the Orongorongo Stream as a catchment aiea for the city of Wellington. Mr. M'Laren gave notice to introduce the Shearers' and Agricultural Labourers' Accommodation Act Amendment Bill. • Mr. Taylor asked the Minister of Labour if he will invite representatives of the employers and shearers to meet in friendly conference, in view of the present unsatisfactory condition of affairs now existing between the two Darties. It would, he added, be a calamity if thearbitration system was injured. The Hon. J. A. Millar said the Government had to be careful not to do anything to impair the efficiency of the Act, but if both parties agreed he would be prepared to discuss the matter with them. He believed there was a desire on both sides to arrive at an understanding. If both sides asked him to do so he would discuss the matter with them. Mr. Taylor: I will put that before both sides. Mr. Wright gave notice to move for a return showing the rates charged for cartage by firms in Welliogton which are employed by Ihe Government, and which have obtained such contracts otherwise than by public tender. The Prinrfe Minister said he hoped to be able to makb a statement to the House regarding the Chairmanship of Committees early next week. Mr. 'Field gave notice to introduce the Horowhenua County Loan Bill. (Left sitting.) THE BUDGET. TO BE DELIVERED TO-NIGHT. The Budget, which the Prime Minister will bring down to-night, is being looked i forward to with great interest, and it is ; understood that it will contain proposals which have not yet been foreshadowed. To a great oxtent, the Budget was foreshadowed in Sir Joseph Ward's Wintou speech, and the financial position, with a credit balance of £432,316, has already been set out in full detail. Another point which is being looked forward to with interest is the detailed statement of the Prime Minister's proposals for extinguishing the national debt, which now amounts to about £70,000,000. It is understood that Sir Joseph Waid has gone into this matter very thoroughly, and has some valuable details to put before the House, showing how the end desired can be achieved. The subject of the rating of native lands will also receive attention, and in conjunction with this it is probable that a definite policy will be put forward regarding the tenure of native town-* ships. Tho roading of the backblocks will come in for a considerable amount of of reference. The claims of the people who have gone into the back country have become more insistent of late, and it is anticipated that the Government will foreshadow a policy of progress in regard to the requirements of the country in this respect. On the subjects of old age pensions and workers' homes the Government has already made a pronouncement of its policy." In both respects the limitations at present existing are to be widened. Ocean mails will form the subject of some interesting references. The recent negotiations on the subject of the Vancouver mail service have been in progross for some considerable time, and it is expected that Sir Joseph Ward will be able to put the exact position of affairs before the country. On the agricultural side, it is understood that a scheme will be propounded for preparing the ''poor" lands of the North for fruit-growing farms, in readijiess to be taken up by ihose who are desirous of going in for that class of industry.

Decision was reserved to-day by the Court of Appeal, consisting of the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout), Mr. Justice Williams, and Mr. Justice Chapman, in the case of the Taupo Totara Timber Company, Limited, and the Wellington Industrial Development Company, Limited, v. Michael Lynn and Sebastian Pappelwell. Argument was commenced yesterday and was continued this morning. It arose out of an appeal against a counterclaim for £779 13s 9d, in which Mr. Justice Edwards gave judgment for respondents for £675, in respect of a contract to purchase flax growing on appellants' land. Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K.C., with whom Mr. J. L. Stout was associated, appeared for appellants, and Mr. J. R. Reed (of Auckland) was for respondents. The Conciliation Council will meet at Palmerston North on the 16th August to hoar two dispute? concerning the c-hearing industry. Tho Htitiugt Borough Council iurite* , teadere for too-mostac o£ oetoeat.