PARLIAMENT AT WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12660, 14 September 1904, Page 6

PARLIAMENT AT WORK.

GALLEEY NOTES AND LOBBY GOSSIP. [BT TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL COPPJiSPONDBNT.] ■■' ;■ Wellington, Tuesday. ; v Thus committee on the Fire Brigades Bill completed its work to-day, but the Bill as amended will not be reported to the House till the Cabinet has given its approval to a new clause, inserted to protect the holders of municipal debentures, issued for fire brigade purposes, when the brigades and equipment pass out of the control of the municiI palities to fire brigades boards. ;'; ! ':.; RICH AND WANTON. In the Legislative Council to-day the Hon. Mr. Jones said" From the workers we get the purest thoughts and the most noble actions." He went on to say that as a rule the wealthy classes " were rich and wanton." Was not the colony a better place to live in since the workers had had a voice in the legislation. Ip Australia the capitalists had had full sway up till recently, and there had been only dissatisfaction, with ' the result . that a Labour Government had arisen, and although for the moment it was under a cloud, that would) not long be the case. THE HON. MAHUTA. The Post the other day rather rashly predicted that the Hon. Mahuta intended soon to assert his independence in the Legislative Council. In, to-day's issue of the same paper Mahuta contradicts the statement, and says he has no intention of doing what the Post predicted, namely, " asserting his independence in the Legislative Council in a manner which will leave no doubt of his intentions in the minds of his hearers." RATES ON NATIVE LAND. The Native Affairs Committee have considerably altered Mr. Carroll's Native Land t Rating Bill. They have inserted a new clause providing for the - levying ', oi full rates on all native lard(a) of which there is a European occupier; (b) that ia situate within a borough or town district, or within ten miles thereof; : (c) within ~ five miles ot any Government or county road ; ; (d) that has at any time been acquired by pur-; chase or lease for valuable consideration by any person: (e) that has at any time been; liable for full rates: or (!) is 'incorporated • under part 2 of division \ 2 of the ; Native Land Court Act of 1894. Other native lands, it is proposed, should pay half-rates if the title has been ascertained; but should be exempt from rates, it the title has not been ascertained. It is proposed, however, to give the Governor power to declare ! any native lands, except papatupu land, | liable foi full rates, : ; and "-: to exempt' any-:j native land from rates.'- It is also pro- i posed that the owners or nominated owners j of native land may be sued for; th* • rates, \ but ■': that the Native Minister may step :in and pay the rates with moneys appropriated by Parliament, for the purpose, and until the rates are repaid to the Crown the land cannot be dealt with.-

SHOAL BAY.

Mr. Witheford gave HOtioe to-day to introduce the Auckland Harbour Board Empowering Bill,; to enable the* Harbour Board to transfer Shoal Bay to the Dtvonport Borough Council -as:'• a recreation ground for llevonport.

JOTTINGS. . Mr. Massey is urging the ;Minister^ for Railways to fence the railway line between; Raiigiriri and Huntly.' • I think it was the Premier that Tom Bracken had in his mind'seye when he wrote "not understood."—Mr. .MoLachlan. Mi'. Kaihau presented three petitions today, bearing ■ the signatures of 3560 natives, asking for the removal of restrictions cm native land.. * "The greatest statesmen at the present tamo belonging to the British Empire are Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Seddon. — Mr,. Trask. j' The Premier has given notice to move thE.t on and after September 14, 'for■: the remainder of the session, 'Government business take precedence on Wednesdays. Mr. Harding has given notice to ask the Minister -. for ' Publio Works whether ho t is) aware that seven men were discharged lately from working on the Ahuroa tunnel, also when the tunnel is expected to be completed. ■ Mr, Hemes presented a petition to-day with about 260 signatures, ; ' urging better means of communication between ; Gisborne and Opotiki, by the speedy completion of the road known as the Pakihi. Road, between Opotiki and the Motu, via the Otaia Gorge. "It would be a great mistake," said Mr. Kirkbride, "to eliminate the reduction vote, ■.". i would be quite willing to add .; anothei issue to the ballot paper, ■so that the people would have the; right to say whether; there should be no-lioense, continuance, reduction, or increase." , !;