PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14819, 24 October 1911, Page 8

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

THE ELECTORAL ROLLS.

[BT TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION'.]

Wellington, Monday. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Workers' Compensation Bill was read a first, time. The Local Elections Amendment Bill was read a second time.

On the second reading of the Legislature Amendment Bill the Hon. W. C. F. Camcross (Taranaki) said that it was a pity the census details asked for in the electoral enrolment forms had not been knocked out, as they comprised a "grotesque fad."

non. 0. M. Luke (Wellington) said thatmuch latitude was given to registrars in allowing them to take names off the rolls. Hon. J. Bigg (Wellington) said it was

time that tho margin allowed country districts in electoral boundaries was abolished or minimised, as there now were but few places that had not a borough near them. He also urged the repeal of the second ballot.

Hon. W. W. McCardle (Auckland) defended the margin for country districts. Sir John Findlav. replying to a suggestion that the drafting "of the electoral laws should be given out, said that the drafting of the licensing laws by outside lawyers was obtained because no laws in the country had caused so many lawsuits, and the services obtained were those of an expert. The fact that he was a no-license advocate had no bearing on the matter. Regarding the second ballot, Sir John Findlay said he personally thought it would sooner or later bo superseded by some system of transferable voting. The Bill was read a second time. The Council rose at nine p.m. until tomorrow morning.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES.

LOCAL BILLS CONSIDERED. The House of Representatives sat at 2.30 p.m. The amendment* to the Auckland Harbour Board Empowering Bill were introduced by Governor's message. .The Wellington City Empowering Amendment Bill was read a third time. The Mount Hutt County, Mohaka County, Waiapu County Council, and Otaki County Bills were rejected. A number of Bills were then read a third time. Others passed their second reading, and were committed. The House adjourned at 1.30 p.m. On resuming at 7.30 p.m. the House went into committee on the Local Bills, the Wangamii Harbour Board Empowering Bill being stonewalled.

At 10.15 p.m. a motion by Mr. Newman (Manawatu) to report progress was defeated by 59 votes to 23. Twenty minutes later a similar motion was also defeated. At 11.30 p.m. three more motions in the same direction had been rejected, and the debate continued. (Left sitting.) PRECIOUS HOURS WASTED. STONEWALLING A BILL. [BY TELEGRAM.— CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Monday. The dying Tiours of the session have now been reached, but this evening members showed themselves very careless of the brief hours which still remain for the completion of the programme before the Lower House. A stonewall was set up on the Wanganui Harbour Empowering Bill, which came before the House in committee during this morning's sitting. The measure encountered strong opposition during its preceding stages, and members on both sides of the House renewed their objections to its rating proposals when the Bill came on again. It was admitted that the rating district proposed by the measure was unfair, and the acceptance of a fairer proposal would have assured an easy passage for the Bill. The member for Wanganui (Mr. Hogan) declined the offer of a compromise, and he was supported by the Prime Minister and members of the Government party in frequent divisions on motions which were intended to dispose of the Bill for this session. At midnight the IJill was still before the committee, and practically no progress had been made.