HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXV, Issue LXV, 5 September 1913, Page 5

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30. THE COMMERCIAL BANK. Mr Myers moved the third reading or the Commercial Bank of Australia Bill. Bu^ do welcomed the advent of another banking institution in New ZeaJand. He thought that it would be or great Benefit to fanners and traders who would be largely assisted by increased banking facilities. Mr Ell said that the advent of the bank was not going to help matters in the least. Did anyone suppose that Lhere was going to be any competition amongst the banks? There was not the least chance of it. The rates of interest and all other charges would be the same because there was a combination amongst the banks as there was amongst all big financial institutions. Our banking, system was obsolete, and it was time the State took up the Question of currency and declared every bank note a legal tender. bir J. "Ward said that it had been predicted that the price of wool would rail, but he did not believe it. The man who had a few hundred acres and ran sheep was on the best wicket in the world. He said time and again he looked into the matter of a State note issue, but he had some doubfas to the wisdom of adopting such a course as had been done in Australia. He thought it was practically impossible to establish a State bank in this country. This country should establish a system of agricultural banks. It must be concomitant' to putting people on the land. The Bill was read a third time after Mr Payne had called for a division which lapsed owing to his inability to secure a teller. THE SMALLPOX SCARE. Mr Heaton Rhodes stated in reply to a question that the Waikato was clear of smallpox excepting for four convalescents. — WELLINGTON CITY. The Wellington City Empowering Bill passed through committee without discussion. SECOND READINGS. The House resumed at 7.30. Mr Mac Donald moved, the second reading of the Gisborne Harbor Board Empowering Bill. A long discussion ensued on introduction, of a clause in the Bill by the Local Bodies' Committee providing for plural voting. [This is dealt with by our Special Correspondent under another heading.] Mr Veiteh moved the second reading of the Wanganui Harbor District and Empowering Bill. The Timaru Harbor Board Empowering Bill (Mr Craigie) was read a second time. The Westport Public Parks Vesting Bill (Mr Colvin) was read a second time. The Springs County Council Reclamation and Empowering Bill (Mr Heaton Rhodes) was read a I second time. The Bank of New Zealand Bill was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Public Accounts' Committee. ■ The Prime Minister moved the second reading of the Irrigation and Waters Supply Bill, providing for the appropriation of £100,000 for irrigation in Central Otago. The Bill was read a second time. The chief provision is to allow drainage boards to borrow nip to l£d in the £, so as to put them on a proper financial footing. It also provides facilities for enabling boards to alter the boundaries of a district so as to bring it into the rateable area of lands which derive benefits from the operations of the board, but would otherwise not be rateable. Mr Witty objected to the provision for fourteen days' notice of objection to the levy of a rate. He held that the period should be^t least thirtyone days. In connection with the provisions for the alteration of boundaries, Ihe contended that it was not fair that' the Government should appoint three assessors and the ratepayers none at all. The Bill was read a second time. The Auckland Weekly Half-Holiday Bill was read a second time pro forma, and the House adjourned at 12.30.