PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 5023, 22 July 1903, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. TUESDAY, JULY 21. Tho Council met at 2.110 p.m. HOSPITAL AND CHABITABLE AID BOAB.DS. Tho ATTUHN’EV-GENTCHAL, replying to tiio Hon \V. Beoliuii, said the CovorimifiiW intended bringing i u legislation iliis session amenamg die Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards Act, and had Aho question of the appointment of Government nominees under cunsideuitio.i. No conclusion had yet been arrived at. In the matter cf making provision for .a subsidy of LI for LI to cnablo friendly societies to erect and maintain dispensaries, ho was sorry he could not wive tho lion gent lonian the assurance ho desired. In regard to tho suggested subsidy of £1 for £T to friendly societies desirous of erecting and main mining cottage hospitals for tho sick of such, sooioi ios the Government did not think it desirable to nuiko tho provision indicated in the question. LAW PRACTITIONERS. The ATTOIIKEY-GENERAL moved tho second reading of the Law Practitioners Bill, widen, he e.vpliiiued, was intended to admit English practitioner.; to practise in the colony without examination here. It also provided for reciprocal admission of barristers and solicitors practising in any other pars of the British dominions. The Bid was rend a second time without discussion, and referred to the Statutes llevision Committee. HOUSE OF REPREfeENTAtSVES

TUESDAY, JULY 21. The House met at 2.30 p.ln., but ruljouriied shortly afterwards in order /tint Hie Speaker might present the Address-iu-lteply to his Excellency the Governor, mid resumed at 3.5 p.m. THE HOtt’OKARE DOMAIN. The Rotokare Domain Act Repeal Bill was introduced by Governor’s mes'i'lio PREMIER explained that the bush on tho Rotoknuo Domain, in the Hawera district, oloso to Ng.itro, was being destroyed, as it was intended to pint some ot : the laud down in grass, and lie asked! that this Bill, winch would prevent this being done, should bo passed as a matter of urgency. The measure, lie added, provided for compensation to the lessees. Some discussion look place on this Bill, and the question of the compensation to bo paid to the lessees. The Premier said that there wero three lessees, and one of them claimed £I3CO, or £Tot!t) if ho wele al.owed to retain the portion lie had clean’d, about seventy acres. Several members Urged that the Hawora Borough Council, which had given the lease of the land should he responsible for the payment of Compensation. The discussion was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. EVENING SITTING. , The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. ORCHARD AND GARDEN PESTS. On the .motion of the Hon T. Duncan, the Orchard, and Garden Pests Bill (sec down for second reading) was discharged from the order-paper, there having been another of a. similar nature brought down by Governor’s message. The new Dili, which was entitled, A Dill to Prevent the Introduction to New Zealand of . Diseases Affecting Orchards and Gardens, was reported from committee of the whole, read a first time, and sot down for second reading next sitting clay. NATIVE AFFAIRS. Permission was granted to the Native Allaire Committee to deal with petitions sent forward last session, but not then decided upon owing to lack of time. ROTOKARE DOMAIN. The debate on tho Rotokare Domain Act was resumed. Several -members of tho Opposition urged that for the sake of half an acre of bush the rights of private members wero being sacrificed by the Government. Tho Premier replied that if the Scenery was to be preserved it would bo well to pass the Bill at once. Tho Government had sot apart this largo area of land in a spot possessing historical associations, and the’ House should ensure the carrying out of that, desire. Unless the Dill was passed the Lessees would begin clearing the land immediately’. A division was then taken on the question that tho Bill lie taken, through all its stages at that sitting as a Bid of urgency.-—Ayes, 42 ; hogs, 10. A discussion occupying about an hour and a quarter took place on tho motion for tho second reading of the Bill, but it was eventually agreed to on the Voices. Mr TAYLOR, then moved that tho Dill bo referred to the Waste .Bands Committee to investigate and I’cporfc upon. He was of opinion that the lessees wero trying to force- the colony into a position that would compel it to grant compensation to tho lessees. Tho House divided.—Ayes, 23 ; noes, 48. In committee on tho Bill, Mr R. McKenzie moved the insertion of a provision that any compensation bo paid by the Borough Council of Hawera out of tho revenue of the borough. Tho PREMIER could not sec his way to accept the amendment. The Government was prepared to take tho land over from the local body by, issuing an Ordtel’-in-Council as sdou as the Bill became law, and it would, therefore, be unfair to mate tho local body pay compensaticla. Mr McKenzie withdrew bin amendment after having hoard tho Premier's explanation of the position. An amendment to tho Bill was carried on the motion of tho Premier, providing for tho application of the machinery of tho Public Works Act, 1894, to any dispute that may’ arise between a leaseholder and tho Minister for Lauds. Another clause was added on the motion of tho Premier providing that all sums received by the Hawera Borough Council from the lessees shall ho repaid to them by the Council without any deduction whatever. Certain other amendments proposed by various members were not agreed to, and tho Bill was read a third time and passed. SHOPS AND OFFICES BILL. The Shops and Offices Bill was read a second time pro fortua, and referred to tho Labour Bills Committee. LOCAL RATING POWERS. The PREMIER moved tho second reading of the Road and Town Districts Rating Bill, saying that various local bodies throughout- the colony’, finding, that they could not levy sufficient rates, bad appcEo.-l to.the Government for an

bia, therefore, proposed to dot)bio tiro existing powers. In answer to a number. the Premier said lie was willing to accept mi amendment. in the Bill giving road districts the power to rate themselves far special purposes in addition to the limit. Tho motion was agreed to. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. Sir JOSEPH WARD, in proposing tlie second reading of the \teights and Alnaisurcs UM.j said that it would legalise tho metric system of weights and measures, and give the Governor-m-Couucil power to declare the system iu force in tho colony after the Ist January, i!JOO. Air j A AIKS ALLEN supported tho Bill, saying that lie had advocated the metric system for a long time. Ho recommended that the system should be taught in tin: schools. Sir JOSEPH WARD said that every effort would be made to have a knowledge of tho system epread throughout the colony. Tho second reading Was agreed to. OTHER BILLS. On the motion of the Hon W. HallJones, the Inspection of Alaehiucry Bill was read a second time. TJio Gold Duties Bill was, on tho motion of the Hon J. AicClowan, read a second time pro forma, and referred to tho Alines Committee. Sir Joseph Ward, on behalf of Mr Carroll, proposed tho second reading of the Sand-drift Bill 1 , pro forma, and thin being agreed -to. the Bn. wars sent to the Land;; Committee. The House rose at 12.5 a.m.