HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Manawatu Standard, Issue 7059, 19 July 1901, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, July 18, The House met at 2,30. PETITIONS. A petition was presented from R. G. Knight, of Wellington, praying the Government to grant a perpetual lease of land to all people who have seven children and upwards. Mr Seddon gave notice to move that a respectful address be presented to the Governor asking him to petition the Secretary of State for the Colonies to hold an impartial inquiry into the remarks by the Governor of Fiji with regard to the Government of New Zealand taking away the land of natives. LAND FOE SETTLEMENT ACT AMENDMENT. The Land for Settlement Act Amendment Bill (Mr Seddcn)was introduced find read a first time. WELLINGTON HAEBOUE AOT AMENDMENT. Mr WUford moved the second reading of the Wellington Harbour Board Act, Amendment Bill, to increase the country representation on the Wellington Harbour Board. This was agreed to on the yo'ces. WOODVILLE COUNTY BILL. Mr O'Meara moved the second read-' ing of the Woodville County Bill, which he said would meague four local bodies •. into one, and considerably lessen the j cost of administration. Agreed to on the voices. CTCLE BOABDS BILL. Mr Fowlds moved the second reading of the Cycle Boards Bill, which is intended to enable cyclists to tax themselves for the purpose of making and maintaining cycle tracks for their convenience. —■■-- The second reading was agreed on the voices. ' The House rose at 5.30. The House resumed at 7.80. SCHOOL DEILL. The State School Children Compulsory Drill Bill was committed. Mr Pirani moved that the word " compulsory" in the title of the Bill he omitted. A long discussion followed, in which the question of military and physical drill in all its bearings was exhaustively dealt with. Finally the amendment to strike out the word " compulsory" was carried by 30 to 24. '

In clause 2. which made it compulsory to teach military and physical drill to boys and girls attending the public schools, Mr Miller moved an amendto provide that the clause should apply only to physical drill, thus deleting military drill from the provisions of the Bill. .

After considerable discussion, Mr Millar's amendment was agreed to on the voices. j

In the subsequent clauses all reference to military drill was struck out, consequent on the adoption of Mr Millar's amendment.

Clause 6 was struck out, andin its place was substituted a section providing that upon the principal of tlie school being satisfied that any boy or girl is unlit to perform physical drill, exemption shall be granted. The Bill was reported as amended, and the third reading was set down for this day week. EIGHT HOUES BILL. Mr Fisher continued the adjourned debate on the second reading of Mr G. W. Russell's Eight Hours Bill. Ho supported the principle," but would have more to say in committee. On division the second reading was carried by 25 to 17. The House rose at midnight.