PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10580, 8 October 1910, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(Peb Pbess Association.) Wellington, October 7. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30. •■ —Bills The Christ College (Canterbury) -Bill lassed. " :'. - " The Attorney-General stated that-lhe lad carefully 'considered Mr ' Stevens suggestion that the new class or,business contemplated by the measure should be limited to the Government' insurance office. There was much, .he. said, in favor of that course, but if-the business was restricted to the Government office it would 'necessarily limit, the benefits of the new legislation to the policies issued by that office, it was felt every opportunity should be given' for the conversion of policies generally. The principle of the measure was a new one, and it was very desirable it should have the advantage ot competition. He, therefore, was unable to agree to Mr Stevens' suggestion to make a Government monopoly of new business. Mr Stevens said he was convinced the Attorney-General would live to repent the attitude he had taken up, for the ■ time" would soon arrive when the value of the Bill would be lost to the country jjr Findlay considered Mr Stevens took an unnecessary gloomy view of the possibilities of a financial disaster. The Bill provided for a straightforward proposition, and lie failed to sec how there could be any jugglery about it. ill the clauses passed unaltered. The Attorney-General moved a new clause, "Every policy issued under tho provisions of this Act shall contain only such provisions as may be approved by the Governor-in-Council." The Bill was reported as amended, and passed. . .. The Tobacco Bill, Debentures, Aid to Government Railways Amendment Bill, and Aid to Public Settlement Bill wereput through Committee without amendment, read a third time, and passed. The Immigration Restriction Amendment Bill was' reported from Commit.The Council rose till 8 p.m. on nesday next. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30. —Oamaru Harbor Board Enabling The Oamaru Harbor Board Enabling Bill was read a third time and passed. • —Mr Peter Heycs.— A petition from Mr Peter Heyes, late Commissioner of Taxes, praying tor compensation on account of long and special services to the country, was read The petitioner stated that he had been frequently called upon to jemler assistance in many departments ot btate with which he was not concerned, and •had always cheerfully carried oftt such duties. He also prayed that the circumstances leading up to his recent retirement be fully inquired mto, and that such sum as he-may be deemed worthy of be granted him by way ot compensation ford-he-loss of position. - —The Estimates. — The House went into Committee on the Estimates. . Public Buildings, etc., £83,190. Replying to Mr Hemes, who asked for information in regard to the recent illness on the staff at Government House, Sir Joseph Ward said that a* the illness of the members of the stall, seemed to be similar in nature two medical'men had been called in. it has been considered desirable to open the drains with a view to ascertain the cause of the trouble, but it is not certain that the cause of the illness lay m the drain. The work done m connection with the Governor's residence was satisfactory, and. it was not true that Lord Islington bad expressed disapproval of the residence. Mr Massey said the matter demanded inquiry. An individual who had visited the Governor's residence in a semi-ofli-cial capacity has described some of_tUe work as disgraceful. This pointed to something being wrong with the -i üblic Works Department, especially ; tne branch responsible for public buildings. Mr Forbes, referring to the item ot ;£SO on Government House, Auckland, moved that this be reduced' by £oo, as an indication that the- civil list be amended by striking out all reference to Government House, Auckland. Mr Hcrries moved to reduce the salary of the architect by £l, -the object bein" l to get further information in regard to the illness at Government House. , , Mr Herdman said the Governor s residence had been a muddle from beginning to end. It was not worthy the representative of the King. It looked like a glorified grain store. Ho believed thousands of pounds bad been deliberately wasted in connection with the delay in the erection of the new Parliament . Buildings. Mr Herries' amendment was negatived on the voices. Mr Tavlor (Christchurch) moved that the item'of £I6BO (salaries of draughtsmen) be reduced by £1 as an indication that the Committee is of opinion that no public buildings similar to those being erected in Christchurch should be entrusted to a private 'architect except as the result of competition. This was affirmed by 39 votes to 20, and the item was reduced accordingly. Mr-Forbes then moved that the item of £SO be reduced by £1 for reasons already set forth. On a division the motion was carried by 36 to 31, and the item was reduced. On item' £550 for the old Parliamentary Buildings, Mr Russell moved that the amount be reduced by £SO as an indication to the Government that Parliament Buildings should be restored on the old site. Mr Fisher supported the amendment. The Minister said the matter would como before the House again when the Public Works Estimates were being discussed. The present buildings would serve the needs of Parliament for a year or two longer.' * ' ■ The House resumed at 7.30. Mr Russell's motion was rejected by 28 to 23. Mr Fisher moved that the item be reduced by £25. Before the motion was put, Sir Joseph Ward moved that progress be reported in order that a paper relating to the importation of liquor into no-license districts be laid upon the table. This was agreed to, and progress was reported accordingly, and the paper laid on the table. —Two Important Bills. — The Licensing Amendment Bill and the Gaming Amendment Bill were introduced by Governor's Message; The Bills were read a- first time. —The Estimates. — Consideration of the Estimates was resumed. After a lengthy debate Mr Fisher's motion was put but rejected by 39 .to 21. Mr Russell asked when the Government intended to accept a division on Mr Forbes motion as an indication that the Government House in Auckland should be closed. Sir Joseph Ward said the Government House, at Auckland could only be honorably withdrawn with the concurrence of the Home Office. The Government proposed to retain the House, and ask for a - ( vote for refurnishing it. That was the honorable course to follow. After' considerable argument for and against the retention of Government House at Auckland— - • , Mr Russell moved to reduce the item of £25 for fuel, etc., in connection therewith by £1 as an indication that the House was of opinion that one Governor's residence was sufficient. On a-division the motion was lost hy--34 to, 29!, ' The remaining items .in the clause were passed without alteration. " ; ' Native Department, £18,366. - ' Mr Buchanan moved to reduce the vote of £4OO, salary of the -president of the Tokerau District Maori i- Land Board, by £1 with the object ing the House to djscuss Mr JJinnie's appointment to that position, j On a division the motion was lost T)y 38 to 19. _ V\-V' The remainder of the items in'"the class passed without alteration; The. Justice Department (£370,561) was under consideration when the telegraph office closed. After 2 o'clock, when'the Telegraph Office closed, the vote for the Justice Department, £370,561, was passed. On the Mines Department, £24,447, Poland and E. H. Taylor asked the Minister if he would consider the quest-ion of raising the salaries of the Inspector of Mines at Thames, who was underpaid. The Minister promised to consider the matter. The vote was passed unaltered, aiid the House rose.