YESTERDAY IN THE HOUSE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7928, 11 October 1911, Page 6

YESTERDAY IN THE HOUSE

BUDGET BILLS. INTERESTING ANNOUNCEMENTS. ' In. tho Houso. of Representatives yesterday afternoon, there "was the rather unusual experience of having eight new Bills introduced by Governor's message. A broad smile gradually spread over the faces of members as eight times in succession. they ceremoniously rose iii their places as each Bill was announced. This is one of the quaint old customs that attaches to the House. Among tho new legislation ■were some of tho measures promised in tho Budget, viz.;—Tho New Zealand Bank 'Note Issue, and tho Old A-go Pensions and Widows' Pension Bills. Bills dealing with co-operativo bunks. and family settlements have yofc to bo submitted. Tho eight measures, however, will provide- the Houso with plenty of work for tho time being. Tho Primo Minister’s intention regarding the State note issue is that tho Bill shall bo road a second time this session, and tho sub* seqiiont stages deferred till next session. That it shall become law next year is tho Government's undoubted intention.

Current misunderstandings regarding tho electoral rolls were dealt witli by tho Prime Minister early in tho afternoon.. A question was asked as to tho state of preparedness of tho rolls. They would l>o quite ready for tho election, said the Prime Minister. Already a great many moro names than last year were placed upon them. All names which, in consequence of a failure to return completed forme, had been- struck off, have now been reinstated, except in ' cases where the Registrars were satisfied in» dividuals had left the district. That tho new system of enrolment has been very effective was shown by tho fact that already the total number on tho roll in excess of 190 S was 28,330: Natural increase in population could not alone account for tho difference in, the figures. A question by-Mr Dillon, member for Huwke’a Bay, initiated an interesting discussion on a phase of tho laud question. Mr Dillon wanted to know if 1 tho Government were aware that a syndicate Were trying to purchase, Mr It. D. D. McLean's property in Hawke’s Bay, and could not the Government itself acquire, tho estate? Sir Joseph Ward said that tho Government, in tho' acquisition of estates, was guided by tho Land Purchase Board. Ho then seized tho occasion to refer to what was going on ,in this connection. An ©state at Marlborough, for instance, had been offered to tho Government, but at such a high figure that it was declined. But, said tho Prime Minister, with emphasis, it was intended to introduce legislation this session which would enable ; tho Government to obtain land for settlement purposes without having tho country swindled in tho process. Ho was not saying a word against tho land-ownenv as a class, but an effort was being made to obtain a prico far in • excess of the real value of tho land. Twice had the Government been foiled in its efforts to treat fairly over estate transactions. Misrepresentations were being made regard-. Ing tho attitude of the Government on this matter, and the legislation .ho intended to introduce would enable tho country to see how much reliance could bo placed in the protestations that came from the other side of the House on this matter. The country must have another system than the one which Allowed twelve owners to combine to give evidence to force up the price of land which was under offer. The Prime Minister's announcement • regarding the . new proposals, especially as ho declared legis*latipn would positively t>e pasted this session,' created considerable interest in the House—amongst .the Opposition an interest amounting almost to anxiety, Tho rest of the sitting was spent, in discussing local Bills, tho Houeo ultiv matoly rising at the early hour of 3.30, For. the remainder of the session Monday afternoon sessions are to be held.