PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 24, 28 July 1914, Page 8

PARLIAMENT

TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL The Legislative Council met at 2.30 o'clock this afternoon. The Hon. Mr. Wigram moved tho second reading of the Dominion Trust Company of New Zealand (Ltd.) Bill), a private Bill empowering the company to act a* trustee and liquidator and in other capacities in connection with estates falling, under its control. The Hon. Mr. Duthie pointed out the possibility of the Bill giving powers that would enable a private company to infringe on a sphere of the Public Trustee. It opened the door to trouble. He could not see what public benefit was going to be derived by the community out of the Bill. He thought it would bo regrettable if the Bill bocame the law The Leader of the Council said it wa* not cuetomary to discuss a private Bill on the second rending before evidence was taken. The Hon. Mr. Beeham asked if the Government approved of the Bill, which apparently cut ihto the wovk of tho Public Trustee. The Hon. Mr. Wigram said he understood the Public Trustee was not raising any objection to the Bill. As to tho suggested trust fund ; raised by the Hon. Mr. Duthie, he hoped to be able to reply on the subject later, after tho Bill, had been taken in Committee. Tho Bill was read a second timo and referrred to the Committee of Selection. The Land Tax and Income Tax Bill was read a first time. The Committee stage of the Legislative Council Bill was then taken. The Hon. H. D. Bell made a statement, which is reported in another column. (Proceeding.) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The House met at 2.30 p.m. Further petitions against it he Bible-in-Schools Referendum Bill were lodged. « Mr. T. M. Wilford gave notice to ask the Premier whether, in view of tho fact that the Referendum on Biblo-in-Schools Bill was introduced as a, private member's Bill, he would have it set riown on I the day appointed for private v. tubers' I Bills. j In answer to Sir Joseph Ward, tho Prime Minister said the Financial Statement would be delivered this week. The Railways Statement would be presented in time to enable it to bo discussed in the Budget debate. Mr. Wilford gave notice to move an, amendment to the Licensing Amendment Bill providing for tho abolition of tho local no-license poll and also providing that districts where no-license has, been carried could still, if national prohibition is rejected, have the right at present enjoyed of restoration under the present majority provided by law.