PARLIAMENT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, 23 December 1909, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

[United Pbess Association.] THE HOUSE. WELLINGTON, Wed. In the House this afteronon the following answers were given by the Ministers to questions: — That Lord Kitchener has accepted the invitation to visit Now Zealand, and that suitable arrangements for him will be made when, the date, of his visit is ascertained. That the proposals submitted by tie Imperial Government to the overseas dominions in regard to tho formation of an Imperial General Staff cannot be laid on the table. That the Rangatatau block of laud near Waitotara will probably be open ed for selection in February, and the road will be proceeded with in a. month 's time. In reply to Mr Allen's question ask. ing what action the Government intended to ta'ke in regard to Mr Justice Edwards' remarks on the Consolidated Statutes, the Promier stated that he bad comunicated with the members of tho Consolidation Commission. He quoted their letter in reply, Which admits the truth of Mr Justice EdwaTds' statement that the Commissioners had introduced changes into the Consolidated Acts without specially calling attention thereto; but tbey held that these were unimportant, and that they had power so to do; also that Parliament had full knowledge of thc changes, and must be deemed to have accepted and ratified the action of the Coirtmissioners. The reply goes on to refer ta the specific cases mentioned by Mr Justice Edwards, and the Commisisoners, explaining and defending their actions in regard thereto. The letter is signed by F. Fitchett and W. S. Reid, and they point . out that Sir PR. Stout, boing absent from the Dominion, is not a party to the memorandum forwarded to the Premier. In the House in the evening a number of local Bills were passed. The amendments in the Native Land Act and Lands for Settlement Admin istratiou Act were introduced by a Governor's message. The Speaker ruled that the amendments constitute appropriations, and would have to be introduced by three iuesasges recommending same. Thursday. *'•' Aftor midnight, in committee, Mr 3idey moved to except the clause un der discussion, which had the effect of reinstating in the State Guarantee i Advances Act the provision for tte investment of municipal sinking funds with the Public Trustee. Tho motion was defeated bv 37 to 27. Mr Massey said it was the most mean and contemptible tactics to r;_ ■■store a defeated clause. ■Mr Taylor (Christchurch) asid thnt be* could see nothing wrong wilh the Government's actions. Mr Hogan contended that the Co. vernment had an equal right with boi 1. Houses to influence legislation. - Sir Joseph Ward, in, reply, said thii. he had made no secret of keoping the clause, and he denounced at length t'.je action of members who asked for loar;s to local 'bodies, and yet denied rhe right of the Government to control sinking funds. The- amendments to the Sta'« Guaranteed Advaneea Aet woio adopted.