GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13983, 16 August 1907, Page 5

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THURSDAY, AUGUST 15.

Tha House met at 2.30 p.m.

The PRIME MINISTER gave, notice of lis intention to move that in future Go■annnent business take precedence on Wednesdays. •

OTAGO HARBOUR BOARD EMPOWER.

ING BILL.

The Olago Harbour Board Empowering Bill (Hon. ,1. A. JtiHar) was read a first time, and was referred to the Local Bills Committee. FORMAL BUSINESS.

Tho whole afternoon was falcon up in discussing formal business. THE TOTALISATOR,

During tho afternoon petitions containing 36,000 signatures wore presented praying for tho abolition of tho tota-lisator. Several petitions were also presented praying for the contimianee of the totnlisator. The House adjourned at 5.5 p.m. to allow members to attend the reception to Webb, the champion sculler. \ EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. The Wailara Harbour District and Empowering Bill was read a second time. LOCAL BILLS. The Gore Streets Bill and the Wellington City Empowering Bill wore read a second lime. CLOTHING AND FOOD SUPPLY. On the motion, to go into Committee of Supply, Mr BARCLAY moved an amendment—"That in tho opinion of this I'louso the time ha« coine when the Government should tnko control of the foot! and clothing supply of the people." He said that tho evils which had existed for so many years past had readied such dituonsious that some action was necessary in the interests of the people, a-s the rich wore becoming richer and the poor were becoming poorer. A state of things existed ill which the producers of wealth received the least and lived in imminent danger of distress and starvation, whilst, the rich became more wealthy. Thore was not a member in tho House who was not conversant with the wretchedness, poverty, and despair of tile poor people in all countries. The Arbitration Act had done a certain amount, of good, but it stopped too soon. It provided a certain wage for a man in work, but did not provide for a man who had no work. If American tnists could produce for personal gain at cheap rates, how much tetter and cheaper could not. the Government undertake the control and supply of necessaries for the bonefit of t.lie people. Mr ARNOLD .seconded the amendment pro forma. Mr HEKE urged that Mr Barclay should include timber in his amendment! as tho existence of a timber ring in this colony hod increased the cost of this necessary building material.

On ft division, the aniondmont was nogntived by 55 votes to 10. MINING ON AGRICULTURAL LANDS. Mr JAMES ALLEN asked if tho Government intended to take any 6tops in regard to mining on rich agricultural lands., Ho suggested that something required to bo done to compel the soil ,to bo replaced where the land was broken by mining operations on private lands. Mr REID urged that before a miner's licenso was granted the regulations should enforce that tho soil should be replaced. Mr BENNET said that, when t.he soil was first disturbed it should he placed in a, position ready- lo lie replaced when mining operations ceased, and not allowed to be washed away.

Mr R. M'KENZIE said that if the suggestion of the member for Bruco were brought into force it would ruin the dredging industry of the colony. The Hon. Mr M'GOWAN said the Government had not been neglectinE the matter, whioh had been looked into, and ho was going to obtain another report. Some lands had actually been improved by dredging. Hie Hon. Mr DUNCAN said the .report of the commission that inquired into the subject was lo the otfect that agricultural land should bo protected, and miners wero agreeable to this course. It had boon stated that for a cost of about. £300 dredges could he fitted , with an appliance not only to save the soil, but. to improve it, Mr FLA.TMAN endorsed Mr Duncan's remarks. He said it was a standing di.V grace that the Island Block soil was being washed away. Tho land of Island Blook was somo of the finest agricultural land in the colony, and if the appliance mcntionod by ilr Duncan had been used with tlio dredge the land would have been made more prolific in tho growing of crops. Tho motion was carried THE ESTIMATES.

The House went into Committee of Supply. On tho vote the Colonial Secretary's department (total £75,554) Mr Lang, referring to the electoral department (£8767), urged that tho returning officers in tho scattered country districts should bo better remunerated than in compact districts. Tho PRIME MINISTER, in a reply to Mr Barclay, said that the main electoral rolls would he printed by the Government department. The supplementary rolls could be printed locally. In reply to Mr Lang, Sir JOSEPH WARD said he was perfectly satisfied that tho remuneration 1 ' granted the returning officere if 20 guineas was adequate for tho responsibilities and duties, and ho would not agree to any variation of the rates. ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES. A discussion ensued oil the ■ Representation Commission, several membors express, ing dissatisfaction with tho re-arrangement of electoral boundaries. Tho PRIME MINISTER said that tho commissioners had carried their dnticß according to tho law as it existed' at present. There would be no legislation this session to amend tho boundaries. An amendment to reduce the expenses of tho Representation Commission by £1 was negatived by 38 to 13. The Electoral Department vote (£8767) was passed unaltered.

BILLS PASSEL. During tlio afternoon the Nelson Institute Bill and the Borough of New Plymouth Electric Loan and Waterworks Validation Bill were read a third time and passed. Progress was reported, and tho House rose at 1.55 a.m.