PARLIAMENT

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 1906, 24 October 1912, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

THE HOUSES SN SESSION.

PER PEEBB ASBOOIATION. Wellington, October 23. IN THE COUNCIL. Tho Council met at 2.30. Tho Auckland Harbour lioard Bill passed its final stages unamended Hie Taieri Land Drainage Bill was reported with amendments. 'The Public Service Bill was finally passed. IN THE HOUSE. jrho House met at 2.30. Tho Hon. Mr Herdman presented a report from Mr Kettle, S.M., on Pakatoa and Rotoroa islands (inebriates' homes). Tho report stated, inter alia, that every effort was made by tho Salvation Army authorities to make tho '.:;ebriates comfortable. They had expressed _g,mucucre ror the manner in which tln-y had Ucen treated. Tho homes had fully justified their existence. Mr Kettle suggested that the inmates might be let out on probation after a certain period of detention. He reported that the holding of political meetings and can vassing for votes did not tend towards the promotion of discipline on the islands. VARIOUS QUESTIONS. Ministers, replying to various questions, said: — A specific enquiry will bo made into tho question of impersonation and transfer of immigrants certified in Britain. The present arrangements in regard to the Government grading of grain art) not satisfactory, and the Chambers of Commerce in grain exporting districts have been asked for their views on the subject. On receipt of their replies the whole matter will receive careful attention. The High Commissioner has been instructed to invite applications in the United Kingdom for the position of general manager of railways. Should applications be received from countries ,- outside Great Britain, they will bo forwarded to the Government for consideration. It is intended' to confer the appointment on the most suitable applicant, who must, however, have had practical railway experience. An endeavour will bo made to give effect to Mr Ell's suggestion for the installation of slot, "telephones at all country post offices where the toll is 6d, or Is, telephones to be switched on when country offices are closed. In reply to Mr Myers, the Minister of Finance stated that £740,000 had to be raised for the Public Works fund. In reply to Mr Russell, the Premier said tho Hon. J. Allen was going Home as soon as posible after the session ended. APPRECIATION. iTlie House passed a resolution of appreciation of the services rendered by the late ex-Judge Weston, of New Plymouth. DIVORCE. Tho Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Amendment Bill was reported unamended from committee. THE LAND BILL. The House went into committee on tho Land Bill. At clause 3, dealing with town planning, Mr Myers advised bringing a town-planning expert from England, even if the appointment were only temporary. Dr. Newman movecr an amendment to the effect that ufl rights-of-way shall bo 66ft wide. The Premier declined to accept the amendment on tho ground that the adoption of such a motion would mean placing difficulties in the way of those who desired to cut up their land.

The amendment was lost- by 48 to 19, and the clause was passed. Later on., Mr Davey r.i-«r that something should be uoks prevent people with capital from going into a land ballot unci thereby preventing poor opponents from getting on to the land. The Premier said ho had sympathy with the proposal, and if possible a regulation would be drafted dealing with the subject. The intention was, ho said, in answer to Mr Forbes, that landless . applicants ana tmose who had been for two years unsuccessful at ballots had to be .first satisfied. Mr Malcolm urged that a man who had sold his Crown lease should never be again allowed to take part in a land ballot. Mr Malcolm suggested that, instead of a ballot, land sliould be thrown open for selection at maiket value. The clause giving preference to landless applicants was passed unamended. At clause S, providing that the Minister may postpone payment of rent by a Crown tenant when relief is deemed necessary on account oi' natural causes or otherwise, the Premier explained that the object of the clause was that every case tor remission should be considered on its merits. Mr 11. W. Smith moved to amend the clause so as to provide that the amount of rent proposed shall not exceed four years' rent, instead of three years, as proposed in the Bill. Mr Massey submitted that the postponement to three years was as much as tho State could afford. After midnight, the amendment lost on the voices. At clause 9. dealing with tho exchango of national endowment lands for other areas of equal value, Mr Russell moved that such exchange should be subject to recommendation by the Land Purchase Board. fThere was nothing in the clause as to the limitation of the extent of endowment land to be exchanged. The Minister replied that the clause was to affect only small areas of three, four, or five acres. He had himself intended to add such a provision as Mr Russell suggested. Tho clause passed with Mr Russell's amendment.