Parliament

Hastings Standard, Volume XIII, Issue 4310, 13 November 1909, Page 2

Parliament

HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12. The House met at 2.30 p.m. OLD SOLDIERS' CLAIMS. Mr|Macdonald asked the Government what they intended to do in regard to recognising the claims of old soldiers which were continually being made. It was 36 years since the Maori wars, but so far no comprehensive scheme had been formulated to deal with the matter. Mr Herries urged the Government to announce their intentions as early as possible. Mr Carroll said that the whole matter was at present being considered by the Government. Mr Massey and other members on both sides of the House urged the Government to deal sympathetically with the claims of Maori War veterans. LOCAL BODIES' SINKING FUNDS. Mr Davej% Chairman of tke Petitions Committee, reported that they had no recommendation to make on the petition of the Dunedin City Council praying that section 25 of the Loans to Local Bodies Act, 1908, be repealed. The section provides that sinking funds must be invested in Government securities, even when there is no Government guarantee of the loan, instead of being invested as formerly by sinking fund commissioners Mr Davey explained that the committee considered the matter one of policy. He moved that the report lie on the table. Mr Sidey moved as an amendment that the report be referred to the Government for consideration. The amendment was supported by Messrs Allen, Glover, Baume. Massey, and Phillipps, who held that local bodies had the right to control their own sinking funds. Mr McLaren, in supporting the amendment, said that he was opposed to the policy of centralising power, which was dangerous to the democracy. The question involved in the amendment was one of local government. Mr R. McKenzie opposed the amendment. The object aimed at in demanding the repeal of the clause was to enable boroughs to traffic in their own stocks. Mr Laurenson denied that local bodies were repositories of power, as stated bv Mr McLaren, Mr Ell said there was abundant evidence to show that local bodies were far more conservative than the Government, and in many cases could not be trusted. Mr Guthrie supported the amendment and Mr Duncan (Oamaru) opposed it. On the amendment being put, it was carried by 34 votes to 25. NATIVE LAND BILL. The Native Land Bill was read the second time pro forma and referred to the Native Lands Committee. HOSPII ALS AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS BILL The House went into Committee on the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Bill. * Prog ress was reported. ADJOURNMENT. The House rose at 0.50 a.m.