ABOUT THE HOUSE.

Northern Advocate, 22 September 1906, Page 2

ABOUT THE HOUSE.

By Telegraph. (From Our Special Reporter.) Wellington, September 21. BREACH OF PRIVILEGE. Out of the preliminary fogs of question, notice, and petition, a breach of privilege loomed. It was not as of yore. This mild privilege • thirsted for no man's blood. It Was a meek privilege, not lull of saws setting forth the " dignity of this House." It was a cunning privilege, suggesting that the press whfch breaks the privilege idly, shall be admitted to certain committee work. Painfully, by the hour, Mr Massey led this newer, deadlier privilege forward, explaining that the Waste Lands Committee's proceedings were being given away on all sides, in the teeth of the standing orders. Before the gallery had done shuddering at the prospect of a laborious morning's reporting, the Premier said he would consult the law and the prophets, and the phantom disappeared. Mr Massey read a par from the Times, viz., 11 THE LANDS COMMITTEE made progress with the Land Bill. Clause 3 (national endowments) has yet to be heard. The renewable lease system was much discussed,. An amendment proposed yesterday, giving occupation with right of purchase, was defeated by one vote. An amendment giving the option of the freehold to tenants under Lands for Settlement was not concluded. As to freehold v. leasehold, so far the leaseholders have had the best." When the Estimates followed, all enmity had disappeared from the road, and the Native Department went through flying. Bankruptcy, coming to the front, was beset by a multitude of enemies, headed by Mr Wilford, who developed a very deadly activity. Eventually, however, we had an instructive discussion of the whole question— bankruptcy, assignments, and the rest understood. A COLONIAL OFFICER is not to be appointed as Commandant. The Offensive Publications Bill (Mr McGowan) will enable entry to be made by any constable, at any time, into any establishment, in search for obscene pictures or printed matter. The Plumbers Registry Bill makes the Inspector-General of Schools Registrar of Plumbers, makes registration obligatory (with appeal from refusing registrar to Magistrate), and fixes January, 1908, as the date after whiili unregistered plumbers cannot be employed.