PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20690, 9 October 1930, Page 15

PARLIAMENT.

dull discussions.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION. INTRODUCTION OF BILL. DEBATE ON ESTIMATES. NO TRANSPORT REPORT. [py iELE(iTi\rn.—srn iai. ni:ror,Tr.r!.] AY Kf.U NO TON'. Wednesday. There was nothing to give character Io [p.day's proceedings in tho House of Representatives, such discussions ns llicrc nero <<» minor topics being conducted on Ipiritless lines. The Workers' Compensation Amendment Pill was introduced and read a first |jmn during tho afternoon. Tliero had [, P fn <1 suggestion that the hill would be shelved this session and members wore, "urious to know whether its appearance denoted that the Government was anxious to place it on the Statute Book this session. or whether it was introduced simply [or circulation and study in the recess. The Minister of Labour, the Hon. S. G. Smith, replying to that, inquiry, said the matter was in the hands of the House, a r.igue reply which bound tho Government to no promise. A sheaf of petitions, mostly touching personal matters, was presented during the afternoon and by tho timo members had expressed their pleasuro or disappointment at the nature of the recommendations made by Select Committees the greater part of tho afternoon had gone. .As a stop-gap until the dinner adjournment, arrived, the annual report on the Public Trust Office was discussed. The House had agreed earlier in tho week to lit, until midnight and as there were only four or five classes of the Estimates left after tho good progress made yesterday, it seemed that, consideration of tho various departmental votes would not occupy the House very long. The classes relating to the Land and Income Tax Department, Stamp Duties and Public Service Commissioner were expeditiously dealt with early this evening, but the Public Trust Account was a subject which members found of general interest and a long discussion, over-run-ning the supper adjournment, developed. The vote was passed by 1(7i30 p.m. after the aoting-Primo Minister, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, had appealed for better progress. The Transport Department vote, next o.imo under consideration and some criticism was levelled at tho fact that no report on tho new department's activities had been furnished to the House. Discussion on the Transport Estimates and on an amendment to reduce, tho vote by £5 continued until the midnight adjournment, without a vote having been reached. Thp Public Works Statement and Estimates will be considered to-morrow.

DISPOSAL OF LAND.

AMENDMENTS TO BILL. DEVELOPING INFERIOR AREAS. [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL VF.POKTETI.] •WELLINGTON Wednesday. .A slight, recasting of the. Land Laws Amendment Bill has been made by the Land Committee of the House of representatives, which reported on the bill to the House to-day. .A provision in the bill was to the effect that areas of inferior Crown lands might be disposed of without, competition or bv public auction tr> companies encaged in afforestation, the cultivation of "flax or in other industries. As redrafted, the clause provides that for the purpose of promoting the development of inferior lands, areas may be set apart if. in the opinion of the Land Development Board, such lands are not suitable f<>r closer settlement. It. was originally stipulated that such lands should be disposed of by way of lease, but this has been amended to disposal by way of sale on deferred payments. This may be effected either bv tender or public auction to anv film or persons whom it. is considered will promote the development of such lands. .Another clause in the bill provided that rural Crown lands that are not disposed of within one year after being declared open for selection might be disposed of on special terms within one year. As amended, this clause provides that where anv Crown lands are not disposed of within three months after being offered, the Land Board may dispose of them by tender or auction. A further clause provided that owners of certain leases in perpetuity might exercise the rigi.t to acquire the fee. simple at any time during the of I he lease, but, that has been amended to require such art ion to be taken before December ,31, 1935.

1 LEGISLATIVE COIINriL. RATING AMENDMENT BILL. COMMITTEE'S ADVERSE REPORT. [pv IELESRATW. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AVK TiL I N'Cr TOX, "Wprlnrsfl ay. Thp T!^11 ricz Amendment Bill ,v,,s ( ,r " ported from thp Statutes Revision (lonirriiMre to the Legislative Council to-day. 'I he; commit tee. recommended that IliP l.ill should not, bp allowed fn propped, but- .should hp referred to t)ic liovcinmptit. 1 hp. < 'inimit tpp ;dso recommended tli.'tt the I Klections arid Tolls Amendment, I'.ill should not hp allowed to proceed. Replying lo Sir .Fames Allpri, flip de-puty-Leader, the Hon. R. Mast pis, said it Ta" intpndpd lo make a. complete review nf the Superaiiriuat ior. I'utlds. It.' was considered that thp inquiry should stand over until thr. conclusion of the present session. The National Art flallcry and Museum Rill was passed with an amendment providing for the appointment of thrPC members of the board for a period of seven years, with the right nf re-appoint-ment at the end of the term. The Births arid Deaths Registration Amendment. Bill v.as passed.

PROfrHKSS OF BILLS. [fir TELEr.EArH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] \VELLINGTON". Wednesday. The Loral Legislation Bill was reported .from the Lands Committee to the House of Representatives to-day without amendment,. I li« Nativp Land Amendment, and Nat i\ e L;md Claims Ac!_jn.-.t inon( Bill "as ippoilfd from (hp Native Affairs Co'iniiittpp villi amendments. The W niinak>iriri River Improvement Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor-General's message and was lead ;i first time.