The Dying Parliament.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 1445, 25 October 1911, Page 5

Th e Dying Parliament.

"ill Local Election

AMENDED By THE LmiSttA'

TIYE COUNCIL,

AND PASSED THROUGH fWA'h STAGES,

(Preßs AMOciation)'. Wellington, Last Night.

Tho Otliilioil resumed at 2.30 p.m.

The Local JUtctions Kill in committee was amended on the motion of Sir John Fiiiiiiuy by striking out clause 3 relating to the 'Jay to ho fixed for the poll when it falls on a publfc holiday.' The Attorney-General said it was likelv to result in ooufcsion. The Bill was reported and passed fiual stages. The Legislature Amendment Bill was amonded verbally in Committee so as to make clearer the meauiug of its piovisiors. The Bill was reported as amended and passed. Tho anieudmeutj suggested fay the Attorney-General iu tho Widows Pension Bill, vliioh weie brought down by Governor's message to tno House and submitted to the Couucil for approval, was agreed to.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

WIDOWS' PENSIONS BILL.

PROTECTION AGAINST WEALTHY WIDOWS.

The House met at 2,30 p.m,

Amendments to the Widows' Pensions Bill were introduced by Governor's message. One was machinery .and the other provided that no widow iu receipt of a pension should receive mora than £IOO anunally. The latter amendment, it wns explained by the Minister, was for the protection of the fond against widows drawing fairly large inoomes.

The amendments wero agreed to,

TAUFO-TOTARA TIMBER COMPANY.

OPENING UP THE COUNTRY,

i" The Chairman of tho Committee which heard the petition from the Taupo-Totara Timber Co. for rights to acquire 200,000 acres, also to constrnot a railway from Taupn to Mohi, reported that the Committee had resolved that the matter be, held over for the consideration of Parliament next Session, and further that the; Government should cousider the question of opening up the country referred to in the petition. Mr Forbes s?id lie thought the Company should be at once informed it had no chance of getting a monopoly over the largo area of native land or a private railway. Mr Isitt moved that the prayer of the petitioners he not outertained. He could see no use stringing the Company on.

Mr Myers said the Committee was of opinion that there was not sufficient reason adduced for granting the prayer of the petition.

In answer to Mr Frasor, Sir Joseph Ward said the Government did not favour private railways.

Mr Maodonald contended it would pay the Government to give away every acre of laud in the Taupo district to keep down the rabbit pest. Mr Massey was opposed to tho issue Of Orders in Oounoil in regard to the disposal of Grown lands. He did not believe such orders were in compliance with the spirit of the Land Ant or Native Laud Act, Regarding branch lines he thought if the Government -would not make them, settlers should b;3 allowed to oocstrnct them on the understanding that theres houlrt be no monopoly and that the Government could nsumo the liue at a fair price. Sir Joseph Ward said he was dead against private or district railways being established in this country. It did not matter what were the recommendations of the Committee, nothing would be done in the matter without the authority of Parliament, The Government would not allow auy large ami of land to bo takon up without proper conditions for settlement purposes. The question wae talked oat.