Legislative Council.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 312, 16 November 1910, Page 5

Legislative Council.

Wellington, Last Night. The Council met in the afternoon. Replying to the Hon. J. T. Paul, the Hon. O'Kelly, chairman of the State Bank and State Currency Committee, stated that the report of the Committee was delayed, owing to the difficulty of getting evidence from the printing office. He would call a meeting of the Committee to-morrow, and the matter would be attended to immediately. The Taranaki Scholarship Endowment Bill was read a third time and passed. On the third reading of the National Provident Fund Bill the Hon. Jenkinson suggested it would be better to vest the administration of the fund in the Government Insurance Department, then with the Public Trustee. The Attorney-General said the suggestion deserved careful consideration, and he would have the matter brought under the consideration of the Government before the next session. The Bill was read a third time and passed. The New Zealand Loans Amendment Bill, and the Old Age Pensions Fund Bill were read a second time, undebated.

On the Harbour Boards Bill in Committee an attempt by the Hon. Ansty to have the borough franchise instituted at elections in combined districts under the Bill was defeated by 16 to 14.

The Attorney-General secured the insertion of a new sub-clause, to prevent double voting by rhipowners and payers of dues. Another new clause was added that the elections shall be held on the days appointed for the election of members of borough councils. A sub-clause was arranged, where necessary, to provide that the representatives of payers of dueo need not themselves be due payers. This applied only to Auckland, BluiF, Lyttleton. Otago and Wellington Boards. The Bill was reported with its amendments and the Council rose at 5 p.m.