HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Northern Advocate, 21 September 1906, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Press Association. Wellington, September 20. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Auckland Girls Grammar School Bill, the Napier Harbour Board Bill, the Civil Service Superannuation Bill (Lawry), the Bank Profits Bill, the National Annuities Bill, the Training Ship Bill (new clause), and the Sale of Explosives Bill were read a first time. The Arbitration Act Amendment Bill (in committee) passed unamended. The New Plymouth Borough and Taranaki School Commissioners Exchange Bill, the Havelock Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute Incorporation Act Amendment Bill, and the Waimumu Stream Drainage Bill were reported and, by special leave of the House, read a third time. The Vincent and Maniototo Hospital Districts, the Otago Dock Validation, the Otago Dock Acts Amendment, the Greymouth Harbour Board Loan, the Auckland Savings Bank Special Donation, the Dunedin District Drainage and Sewerage Act, 1901, Amendment Bills w?re read a second time. The Government Valuation of -Land Bill (Kirkbride) was read a third time. Two Bills were thrown out by large majorities— the Rating on Unimproved Value and the Local Franchise (both Mr Ell's). ,The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. Wellington, September 21. In the House at the evening sitting, Mr Witty moved the second reading of the Land Agents Bill, which, he said, was in the interests of the general public. The Hon. Mr Fowlds said that the Bill was giving preference to Unionists with a vengeance, because nobody could* go into business without paying a license fee of £20. They would soon get to the stage that no man could do anything without a license. After a brief discussion, the second reading was agreed to on the voices. Mr Lewis moved the second reading of the Contingent Vote Bill to amend the law relating to the representation of the people in the House of Representatives, and making an absolute majority necessary for election, by enabling an elector to mark his ballot paper with a contingent vote for any candidate for whom he desired to vote, in the event of more than two candidates standing. The Hon. Mr Millar, as on a former occasion, opposed the Bill. If it became law, he guaranteed to manipulate the votes so as to suit himself. A candidate would take fine care to tell bis friends not to give their contingent votes to N the second strongest candidate, but to the weakest. It .would lead to all kinds of trouble, to 21. The Bill was thrown out by 33 votes Two Ministers (Messrs McNab and Fowlds) voted for the Bill. Three Ministers (Messrs W. Hall-Jones, McGowan, and Millar) voted against it. The Noxious Weeds Act Amendment Bill (Mr R. McKenzie) was further considered in Committee. A stonewall on lines similar to those on the previous occasions when this Bill was in Committee was set up. Members accused Mr McKenzie of endeavouring to legislate for his own electorate, and not for the whole Colony. No progress was made, and the House rose at 10-30 p.m.