PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12928, 26 July 1905, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

[BY telegraph.—press association.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. ■. \ •..■ Tuesday. • The Council met at half-past two p.m. SECOND READING. The Road Boards Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND. The Jubilee Institute for the Blind 'Auckland) Bill was further considered in 'Committee, and reported without amendment. TARANAKI SCHOLARSHIPS BILL. The Taranaki Scholarships Bill was committed, and progress reported. The Council rose at ten minutes past three p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday. The House met at half-past two p.m. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Further leave of .absence for three weeks was granted to Sir William Russell, on account of ill-health, and further leave for two weeks to Mr. E. M. Smith, on similar grounds. FIRST READINGS. The following Bills were read a first time: —Eltham.'Public Hall (Mr. Syines), Dunedda City and Suburban Tramways and Water Power Act Amendment (Mr. Millar), Education Board of the District of Otago Empowering (Mr. Millar), and Lyttelton Borough Council Foreshore Vesting Bill (Mr. Laurenson). SHIPPING AND SEAMEN BILL. Mr. HALL-JONES moved the second reading of the Shipping and Seamen Act Amendment Bill, which extends to December 31, 1905, the time within which application may : be made under section 27 of the principal Act ior service certificates. Mr. MASSEY said the Bill was a technical one, and very little objection could be taken to it. • Mr. MILLAR said this colony had undertaken to recognise Board of Trade certificates, and he complained that recognition had been refused by the New Zealand Department to a. man who held an English trawling certificate. Inquiry should be made into this case. Another matter was that examinations, for third-class certificates in New Zealand were so stiff that our youths were going to New Souh Wales, where the examinations were not so hard, to get their certificates. Mr. HALL-JONES promised to have inquiries made into the case mentioned by Mr. Millar and in regard to New South Wales examinations he stated that that colony was now following closer to the standard set by the Board of Trade, which was followed, 'by Now Zealand. The second reading was agreed) to on the voices.

SECOND READINGS. The Slaughtering and Inspection Act Amendment Bill (Mr. Duncan) and the Coal Mines Act Amendment Bill (Mr. McGowan) were read a second time pro forma. _ The former was referred to the Stock Committee, and the latter to the Mines Committee. • FIRE BRIGADES . BILL. , Mr. CARROLL moved the second reading of 'the Fire Brigades Bill. The brigades, had, he said, for years been trying to attain a high standard of efficiency, and to discover a means by which they would be placed) on a uniform and better footing, so far as finance was concerned. This Bill would assist them in that object. The Bill, lie said, had been exhaustively discussed by members last session.

Mr. T. MACKENZIE urged the necessity for appointing inspectors to make periodical inspection of fire risks throughout the colony. The brigades might well combine to make such an appointment. • Mr. AITKEN believed the Bill would tend to largely increase . the number 1 of local bodies in the colony, and would also lead) to a large increase in the rates. ' ' Mr. WILFORD supported the Bill, if only because it made insurance companies contribute to the cost of lire brigades. Mr. /DUTHIE objected to this continual harassing 'of insurance companies, and expressed the opinion that if this sort of thing went on they would find the insurance companies closing up their business. In the course of further debate, objection was taken 'by several members to the proposal to give the Fire Board full control of the water supply. Mi. AN AN considered the difference of opinion that existed iit regard to many of the provisions of the Bill showed the necessity that existed for bringing down a comprehensive Local Government Bill. Mr. HOGG saw in the Bill a determined) attack on the present system of local government, another attempt' at centralisation, and a move in the direction of the establishment of another State Department. Several other members also took part in the debate, which was adjourned on the motion of Mr. J. C. Thomson. The House adjourned at half-past five p.m. The House resumed at half-past seven p.m. FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

Mr. Seddon delivered the Financial Statement, the reading of which occupied' one hour and a-half.

Mr. MASSEY asked when it was proposed to make a start with the financial debate. He also complained of the non-ap-pearance of certain returns and Departmental reports: Mr. S UDD ON said he hoped members would be prepared to go on with the, debate on Friday next. He was laying several returns on the table that evening. ■. . Mr. MASSEY thought Friday was too early, and suggested Tuesday. Mr. SEDDON said he was anxious to get on with the business of the country, and hoped to see the debate started on Friday evening. The House, rose at twenty minutes past nine p.m.