WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26.

Otago Witness, Issue 2842, 2 September 1908, Page 33

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26.

In the Legislative Council, The Hon. Mr SMITH asked the Attor-ney-general whether he would take into consideration the question of increasing the salaries paid to the registrars of electors in districts where the position was not held by a permanent Government official. He thought that £25 per annum was too little remuneration. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL replied that the matter had already received the attention of the Government, and that registrars who were not permament Government officials had had their salaries raised to £52 per annum. FARRIERS BILL. The Hon. Mr JEXKINSON moved the second reading of the Farriers Bill. which originated in the House. He said this was the third time the bill had been before the Council, and he hoped it would be passed this time. There was no intention to form a close corporation, but it was necessary to have competent farriers. He defined the system of examination and registration. He said that horses suffered at the hands of incapable farriers. The Hon. Mr MARSHALL said he could not see the necessity for the bill. He had bought his first horse when he was 15 years of age, and had paid hundreds of pounds for the shoeing of horses, but lie had never had a horee suffer at the hands of farriers. The Hon. Mr BALDEY, in supporting the second reading, said that it would benefit the noblest of animals. Unlike Mr Marshall he had had horses which had suffered from faulty work by farriers. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that under the provisions of the bill he could become a farrier, although he knew nothing about the anatomy of a horse, and if the Bill aimed at protecting dumb animals then it missed its object. He was wholly in sympathy with the bill to relive suffering, but as the bill was drawn it did not effect that purpose. The Hon. Sir HENRY MILLER said he thought the bill was on wrong lines. What was. required was another system of shoeing, and he urged that the Oharlier system snould be adopted, as this did not produce lameness. Under the present system corns developed, and corns were the cause of much lameness and suffering to horses. He did not think the bill would do much good. The Hon. Mr JENKINSON. in reply, said it had found that the Charlier system of shoeing was not suitable for New Zealand or Australia. The second reading was agreed to by 16 votes to 15. and the bill $**% s^f erred to the Stock Committee.

In the Bouse of Representatives, Ministers, in replying to questions, stated, That the representations made urging a moTe vigorous prosecution of the South Island Main Trunk railway would receive full consideration when the Public Works Estimates for the year were being compiled. That the Government was not prepared at present to make any reduction in the railway rates on New Zealand timber. That the matter of seeing that the needy were represented by counsel in cases of dispute arising between claiments and the other party under the Workers' Compensation for Accidents Act would receive the consideration of the Government. That it was proposed to make provision regarding the inspection of wool, tow, and skins before shipment, in a bill which was being prepared to amend the Shipping and Seaman Act. When the bill came nto force the Government would consider the question of whether the Marine Department would undertake the work of making the necessary tests as to the amount of moisture contained in any package. That every endeavour wonld be made to "T^mwt the Dominion from any order that might be issued by the British Board of Trade prohibiting the importation of boned beef into the United Kingdom. That it was not considered necessary to make provision in £pture to meet the cost of cooking at camps at Easter manoeuvres. If possible the Hospital and Charitable Aid Districts Ball would be proceeded with this session. That the instructions issued to registrars wer« to notify all parents who had not complied with the vaccination law, and if no attention was paid registrars were authorised to prosecute, the selection of names being left to themselves. EDUCATION BILL. A bill containing amendments in the Education Bill, introduced earlier in the session, was introduced by Governor's Message. The amendments were on the lines suggested by the Education Committee, and aimed generally at making the bill moife generally acceptable to the teachers. BILLS PASSED. The Destitute Persons Act Amendment Bill (Mr Fisher), the Counties Act, 1886, Amendment Bill (Mr James Allen), the Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill (Mr Fisher), and the Public Works Act Amendment Bill (Mr Izaid) "were read a third time and passed. DAYLIGHT SAVING. Mr IZARD moved the second reading oi alteration of time bill, which proposes to set back the clock during the summer months. He said that' he wished to refer the bill to the Industries and Commerce Committee. He did not expect to pass, the bill this session. After a brief discussion the bill was read a second time on the "voices, and was referred to the committee for consideration and report. BILL REJECTED. The Public Works Act Amendment Bill No. 2 (Sir W. J. Steward) was thrown out on a point of order raised by the Minister of Public Works. THE ESTIMATES. The House then proceeded to consider further classes of the Estimates. On the vote of £232,744 for the Department of Lands and Survey, a discussion took place in regard to small grazing runs. The MINISTER OF LANDS explained that there were two kinds of such leases, one under the act of 1885 and the other under that of 1892. The latter was practically a perpetual lease. Under the earlier act, if land was not suitable for subdivision the tenant had the option of renewing his lease, but the Government had the right to subdivide. This accounted for the different decision. Mr MASSEY said the law was as stated by the Minister, but he quoted an instance of unfair treatment of lessees whose holdings had been cut up, while that of a neighbour with a political pull had been left untouched. Mr MALCOLM urged that native grass lands were deteriorating each year, and that tenants should be encouraged to improve the properties by being given the right of renewal. Mr HOGG urged that more runs should be subdivided-. The MINISTER OF LANDS said that orders had been given for the fencing off of certain areas of Crown lands in Otago so that the native grasses could spread again, and that information be secured as to the best steps to be taken to improve and increase the native grasses. The importance of the matter was recognised. Mr WITTY urged that a bonus should be offered for the best means of eradicating noxious weeds. Many river beds were full of gorse. Mr FLATMAN said that experience had shown that gorse in river beds did no harm, while it prevented erosion. Mr HERRIES said that vigorous steps should be taken to suppress noxious weeds on Crown and unoccupied land, which at present served as a breedingplace for scores of pests. Mr T. MACKENZIE also urged that the Government should do something to prevent the spread of noxious weeds. Mr FLATMAN said that willows did far more harm than gorse in river beds. When the willows got a hold they could not be eradicated, and did much damage. The MINISTER OF LANDS said that last year the Government expended over £1800 in the destruction of weeds on Crown lands. The matter was one for the Agricultural Department, however. The Government could not attempt impossibilities in dealing with large areas of Crown lands. In answer to Mr Field, the Minister said he would like to see the whole of Kapiti Island owned by the Government as a bird sanctuary, and he believed it was possible to come to terms with the Native owners. Grazing should not be allowed on the island, because the preservation of the native vegetable life was necessary. Mr JENNINGS stated that some

settlers had suffered in connection witßt the rebate of rents by the Government. The MINISTER said that there seemed to have been some misapprehension in regard to the rebate of rents and the distribution of grass seed. The Government ha not been prepared to give grass seed to men who could well afford to assist themselves, and the departmental officers, knowing that the consent of the Minister and of Parliament were necessary, were n<J^at-all likely to have made rash promises. Some curious claims for aid had come forward, but the Government had been on its guard against imposition. Next year's Estimates would provide for a large number of rebates in connection with recent grass fires. The details of the vote were discussed at considerable length. The MINISTER stated that he was making arrangements £o deal with the question of sand drift. Dr Cockayne would be at liberty in % few months, and would be employed toreport as to plants adapted *-f or preventing a movement of sand across th* country. The vote was passed unaltered. The next class taken was the Vakuu . tions Department (total vote, £34,501). The MINISTER said that he was endeavouring to remove existing anomalies in regard to salaries, and the „ matter would be dealt -with in. the Supplementary Estimates. Mr<WILFOKD protested against thd valuations being raised in a wholesale manner and land values forced up by Government officials. He suggested that landowners should be represented before, the court by an expert valuer. Mr T. MACKENZIE moved that the vote be reduced by £1, as a direction to the Government to instruct valuers not to overestimate the unimproved value of lands. The MINISTER said that the valuations for sale purposes' were decidedly higher than the valuations for rating and taxation purposes. His constant instruction to the Government valuers was to keep well behind the market values, and when a valuer Was found to be fixing his valuations too close to the selling values he was told to be more careful. The motion to reduce the vote was defeated by 30 votes to 15, and the class was passed. ' * At 1 a.m. the LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION moved to report progress, but the' motion was defeated, on a division, by 30 votes to 11. / "The Estimates for the Education Department were then considered, ' the total vote being £856,842. Mr T. MACKENZIE protested against the undue interference by officials with the education boards. Mr WILFORD moved to reduce the salary of the Inspector-general by £1, as an indication that school books should be supplied free. The MINISTER- OF EDUCATION" said) he considered that in possessing am Inspector-general and an assistant Inspec-tor-general the department was understaffed rather than overstaffed. Mr WDLFORD moved the reduction of £1 in the vote to indicate that school books should be provided free. The Hon. Mr FOWLDS said he did not . think that education boards should be dissolved, but the question might arise as to whether \the local body should provide a certain amount of the cost of education, so as to give 'it a sense of responsibility in the matter. The only argument in favour of uniform school books was the saving of expense, but in, the opinion of experts it would be a. misfortune to the educational system of New Zealand. The question was being; fully considered by the Government. The amendment was carried by 22 votes to 16. The vote for training colleges and train* ing of teachers was passed.