PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6361, 8 November 1907, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7. The Council met at 2.30. SCAFFOLDING ACT AMENDMENT. The Scaffolding Act Amendment Bill (Hon. Dr Findlay), which had boon remitted from the House of Representatives, was put through committee and passed. LAND LAWS AMENDMENT. After a preliminary diecussion (which if* reported under another heading), the Council considered the Land Laws Amendment Bill in committee. Notice of proposed amendments had been given by the Hons. T. Paul, J. Kigg, and J. Anstey. Referring to these, the Hon. Dr Findlay stated that, having conferred with those who wished to make amendments in the Bill, ho had met thorn as far as he could in tho amendments, of which ho had given notice; therefore, he intended opposing the further efforts which would be made to alter the Bill. Tho Hon. J. T. Paul moved to reduce the term of the renewable lease from sixty-eii years .to fifty years.—Lost by 20 to 7. He then endeavoured to make tho reduction apply to the term of renewal, but again failed. The clause enabling holders of renewable leases to pay off up to 90 per cent, of tho capital value was amended by the addition of the following sub-clause, on. the Attorney-General's motion: Nothing in this section shall so operate us to affect the right of any local authority to the payment of " thirds." Such payments shall, in the case of lands the rent of which is reduced under the provisions of this section, bo payable in such manner and either out of the rent received from such land or out of the interest payable, as the Governor from time to time prescribes by regulations. The Hon. J, Rigg sought to delete all reference to pajment of 30 per cent, of the capital value of a renewable lease.— Lost by 24 votes to 1. It was sought by the Hon J. Anstey to remove cropping restrictions after a tenant had exjxmded 50 per cent, of the capital value of his land in improvements.—Lost by 19 votes to 2. CONCESSIONS. The rental payable by a lease-in-per-petuity holder who surrenders hie lease and takes up a renewable lease was fixed at 5 per cent, of tho capital value of land for settlement land, and 4 per cent, in the case of other land. Upon the At-torney-General’e motion, the 5 per cent, rental was reduced to per cent. It was explained that the reduction would constitute an extra inducement to conversion 'of the lease-in-perpetuity tenures It was also decided, upon the Hon. Dr Findlay’s motion, to extend the right of a pasturage lease or license holder to Improve his run In the following manner : (a) To cultivate any portion of his run for the purpose of growing winter feed for the stock depastured on the run; (b) To plough and sow In grass any portion of his run not exceeding three thousand acres; (c) To clear by felling and burning bush or scrub any portion of his run. and sow the same in grass; (d) To surface sow in grass any portion of his run. Any improvement made under this clause, with the exception of cultivation for purposes of winter feed, shall be considered in fixing tho amount of compensation payable to an outgoing lessee. Other amendments making improvements in th© wording of various clauses were proposed by the Minister and accepted. The Hon. J. Rigg moved: Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the principal Act. on the passing of this Act there shall be no further sale of the feesimple of any Crown land. The Hon. Dr Findlay pointed out that as the Council had passed clauses permitting alienation of Crown lands, it would be stultifying itself by adopting the motion. Th© mover pressed for a division, but 1 only found one supporter, tho motion beling thrown out. The. BUI was reported. FIRST READING.

The ApnricTiltural Labourers' Accommodation Bill, received from the House of was read a first time. The Council rose at 12,55 a.m.