HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXV, Issue LXV, 9 December 1913, Page 5

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Sir Joseph Ward continued the debate on the amendments made by the Legislative Council to the Water Supply Act Amendment Bill. He held that the vprocedure of the Government was unprecedented' The Council, had been allowed to amend a .Bill which had been passed by the House, and the amendments were coining back to the House, which was denied the right to have a second reading debated or a Committee stage on a most important proposal. The rights of the direct representatives of the-people.'..had been abrogated by the institution which had been declared effete by the very Government which allowed -such proceedings. It was practically a guillotine. The Hon. W. Fraser said that he would have a clause drafted, confining the operation of the amendment by the Council to Vincent County. What he was doing was in distinct conformity with the wishes of the settlers, and he was certain that if the idea were carried out an arid waste would be turned to prolific use. ■ ! A committee was set up to confer with a committee from the Council on the matter. A committee was also set up to confer with the Council on the amendments which had been made in the Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill and the Police Offences. Act Amendment Bill. TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES BILL. The Hon. A. L. Herdman moved the second reading of the Temporary Employees Bill, to enable the Public Service Commissioners to retain in the public service certain temporary employees. The Bill was subsequently passed through all stages. LAND AGENTS ACT. The Son. A. L. Herdman moved the second reading of the Land Agents Act Amendment Bill. , Mr A. Harris indicated that he intended to move an amendment to regulate the fee for land agents' licenses on a more equitable basis. It was not fair to charge all agents the same fee, irrespective of their turnover. The Bill was read a second time, and partly considered in committee. OTHER BILLS. The Harbors Act Amendment Bill was read a second time without discussion. In the Fire Brigades Act Amendment Bill a clause providing for an appeal to a magistrate by any person dissatisfied with the decision of an inspector as ■to fire-escapes was added on,the motion/or Mr W. H. D. Bell. The House rose at 11.45 p.m.