HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 October 1911, Page 5

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

YESTERDAY'S BUSINESS. fBT TKIJCGBAPH—-PER PRESS ABSOCIATIOH.] WELLINGTON, Oct, 16. The House met at 7.30 p.m. THE RAILWAY MEN. The Hon. J. A. Millar (Minister of Railways), replying to a question by Mr J. P. Hine, said lie understood that the Government had been said to have changed its mind with regard to the hearing of the petition of the Second Division of the railway men. The Government had not changed its mind in the matter, in fact, the committee was ready now to go on with the hearing of the petition from the second division, and continue until sufficient evidence had been heard. The cause of delay in the hoaring of the first division petition was that ©very latitude had been allowed, and the witnesses had been brought by the employees on every point. The Department bad to bring witnesses in a similar manner, and it would do so throughout. It rested with the railwayman whether the matter was finished this session or net. If the men sent witnesses on all the points, the Department would have to do the same, and there would necessarily he delay. Replying to Mr T. M. Wilford, MiMillar said the Railway Bill would be brought down in a couple of days." The Native Land Claims Bill was read a first time. • THE TAUPO RAILWAY. Mr T. H. Davey (chairman of the committee enquiring into the TaupoTotara Company's petition) read the statement made in a Rotorua paper by Mr. Raw, member of the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce, in which it; was stated that Rotorua had no friend) in Parliament and that during the j taking of the evidence, Mr. DalzieljL was allowed to interject by way of conimentarv on the statement of witness*' es; also that Mr. W. D. S. McDonald (M.P., for Bay of Plenty) had sounded the members of the House and hpd called a meeting in relation to the-en-quiry and then set up the Commission. Mr. Raw further stated that the report was a foregone conclusion. Mr. Davey said the statements that Mr. McDonald had called a meeting of the Members of the House to discuss the petition and then set up the committee was absolutely false and practically the whole statement was incorrect, | I Mr. McDonald said lie had asked a few members if they were willing to act en the Committee if nominated and had done nothing further. The Hon. T. Mackenzie Said that the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce was politically biassed and had failed to recognise what had been done. THE RUSH SETS IN. The Speaker announced thath* had decided to allow Bills to be put through all their stages at one sitting. OLD AGE PENSIONS. The Prime Minister moved the second reading of the Old Age Pensions Amendment Bill, the principal clause of which provides that where any person, who being a male had reached the age of 60, or a female of 55 and has dependent on him or her l?wo or more children, he or sho shall be entitled to a pension. The; amount of the pension shall be as prescribed by the principle Act with an addition of such sum, not exceeding £l3 per annum as the Magistrate, in his discretion having regard to the circumstances of the case, may determine. ,~, The Premier went on to 1 say that the scheme would cost some £IO,OOO a year ?xtra. Tlio rates on the present pensions, where there were dependents, would be increased 50 per.cent and the •laxiimun pension would be £sl per vear.

Mr. P. M. B. Fisher asked that imperial pensions should bo exempt tinier the Act. f 'Mr. T. M. Wilford-suggested the railway superannuation should apply in similar manner.

Mr. J. T. Hogan thought the scheme Mild he extended to indigent at 60. the blind, the maimed, the crippled unci deformed.

Sic Joseph Ward, in reply, said the question of applying the system to th© railway men,superannuated was all a matter of monev. hast year the scheme, had cost £380,000; this year the expenditure would ho over £400,000 )lus £55,000 for"- the pensions to ,wiious. The Bill was an enormous advance in legislation dealing wit li pension*.

PUBLIC works; statement. The Bill was read a second time. The Public Works statement was laid on the table. . : . Sir J. G. Ward said the statement would be considered on Wednesday at 2.30 p.m. The Loan Bill wuld be brought down Jiid considered simultaneously. PENSIONS FOR WIDOWS. Sir Joseph Ward moved the second reading of the Widows' Pensions Bill. The mainspring of the introduction of this measure was the saving of children as an asset for the State. The scheme.would cost £55,000 but this would be money weU spent. Mr Allen supported the measure, which he hoped would go on the Statute Boole. The bill was read a Second time. TO ASSIST WORKERS. Sir J. G. Ward moved the second reading of the State Guaranteed Advances Bill. The chief clause provided power for raising £750,000 per annum for assisting workers to build homes. The second reading' was agreed to. SUNDRY BILLS. , The House went into committee on several bills. Christchurch District Drainage Amendment Bill was reported rind the Shipping and Seamen Amendment Bill was reported with minor amendment. The Rating Amendment Bill was then considered. 'Mr Luke protested that in connection with the water rates, largo many storied buildings would bo favored as against, smaller buildings, which used less water. The same applied to gas and electricity. The Government should consult the Municipal author. itites in these matters. Mr Eraser supported Mr Luke. Hon Mr Fowlds said the ValuerGeneral, under the law. had to see that a sufficient rate was levied to meet tho loans. Mr Allen moved to strike out the words "'water rate."

This was lost by 31 votes to 19. Clause 2 provides that a poll may be ■ taken before applying the unimproved rating system to rates. The .Minister- moved to make the