HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14525, 12 November 1910, Page 8

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Friday. The House of Representatives eat at 2.30 p.m. LOANS AMENDMENT BILL. The second reading of the New Zealand Loans Amendment Bill was moved by the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward), and agreed to, after a short discussion. OLD AGE PENSIONS. The second reading of the Old Age Pensions Amendment Bill was moved by Sir Joseph Ward, who explained the pro*visions of the measure. Mr. Massey (Loader of the Opposition) said the Bill was mainly dtesigned to remedy the mistake made*in the Act of ; last year, which had in many instances actually reduced pensions instead of increasing them as intended. He trusted the passing of the Bill would remove the complaints against the old l age pension law. Mr. Poland (Ohinemuri) said it was tho ditty of the State to provide for persons who were incapacitated from earning a living, as well as aged persons. The second reading was agreed to. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. LOANS AMENDMENT BILL. In the- evening the New Zealand Loans Amendment Bill was taken in committee. Mr. Allen (Bruce) moved to add a clause providing that the returns of loans and the cost of raising the same shall be placed before the House within 12 months after the loans are raised. On a division the clause was rejected by 45 votes to 27. "Mr. Herdman (Wellington North) moved a new clause providing that the particulars and terms upon which loans were floated, together with the cost and expenses of same, shall be laid before Parliamnt within two years of floating. This was rejected by 28 votes to 44. The Bill was reported with amendments. OLD-AGE PENSIONS. The House went into committee on the Old-Age Pensions Amendment Bill. Several members raised the question of old soldiers' claims. Mr. Massey suggested that old soldiers with clean records should receive a military pension of 10& per week. Mr. Taylor (Christchurch North) asked the Government to publish its decision on the claims already considered by magistrates. Sir Joseph Ward said the Government would deal with the claims as they were received without delay. The Bill was reported with amendments and read a third time and passed. LOCAL BILLS. On the suggestion of Sir Joseph Ward it was decided that the House should meet at 10 a.m. on Saturday for the purpose of dealing with local Bills numbering 25. DESTITUTE PERSONS. On the motion of Sir. Joseph Ward it was agreed not to insist on the amendments made by the House in the Destitute Persons Bill, which were disagreed with by the Council. (Left sitting.)