THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3829, 2 August 1927, Page 25

THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT.

I LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WELLINGTON, July 27. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. SAMOAN ADMINISTRATION. "Sir James Allen, Sir John Sinclair, Sir Francis Bell, and Messrs J, Barr, J. B. Gow, J. A. Hanan, L. M. Isitt," V. H. Reed, and G. J. Smith were appointed a committee to act .vith the committee appointed by the House to consider the petitions concerning the Samoan Administration. FREIGHT ON MANURES. Mr E. 11. Clark asked the Leader of the Council (Sir Francis Bell) whether, to enable farmers effectually to comply ■with the request to do their utmost to produce more, the Government would seris ously consider at once the question of carrying farm manures on the railways at the same rate as lime. Sir Francis Bell replied that the rates ■were reviewed in 192 G when a substantial reduction was made in the charges. The rates now in force were the cheapest in the tariff, and had been of considerable assistance in enabling farmers to increase their purchases of fertilisers. It was regretted that the time was inopportune for making further concessions. ANIMALS PROTECTION BILL. In the committee stage on the Animals Protection and Game Amendment Bill Sir Thomas Mackenzie agreed to an amendment to meet the objection raised by Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, who pointed out that the effect of the measure, while it sought to protect native birds, was also to protect other birds which were not native birds, notably the starling and the brown owl, which were the enemies of native birds. The Bill was reported as amended, but the third reading was deferred. The council adjourned at 3.18 p.m. WELLINGTON, July 28. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. CHURCH PROPERTY BILL. The Church Property Trust (Canterbury) Amendment Bill was read a third time, and passed. SAMOA AMENDMENT BILL. In moving the second reading of the Samoa Amendment Bill Sir Francis Bell said he regretted that there was a division of parties on the question. It had been hoped that all New Zealanders would present a united front. It would appear later that the Government had a responsibility in a right cause, and that others had supported the cause of exploiters. Power to deport aliens, he said, was a power inherent in the Sovereign of the nation. Power to expel residents who were engaged in preventing the exercise of Government authority was more exceptional, but it existed as a necessary part of the right of Sovereign authority. Exactly the same powers as were proposed in the Bill were conferred upon the High Commissioner of the Western Pacific. Mr Justice Isaacs, of Australia, had justified deportation as a prevention of the stirring up of strife. There was no ground for complaint or dissatisfaction in Samoa, and it did not exist except as promoted by Europeans for their own purposes, and not for the benefit of the Samoans. Sir Francis Bell said he hoped the Bill would be passed unanimously. Sir E. Mitchclson said that Mr O. F. Nelson was responsible for the trouble, and there would be no peace in Samoa Until he was got rid of. He hoped the Government would lose no time in deporting the agitators. Mr L. M. Isitt attacked the members of the Labour Party, declaring that they were now embracing the capitalists against whom they had thundered for years. Despite all efforts to stir up strife in Samoa, there was not one native leader who was not gratefully attached to Sir George Richardson for what he had done for the natives. Mr Isitt denounced Sir Joseph Carruthers's pronouncement upon the conditions in Samoa as irresponsible, reckless, and inconsiderate. Sir Robert Stout submitted that there was nothing improper in the Bill, which only asked that if persons were considered dangerous they should be asked to leave.

Mr J. A. Hanan said he saw no objection to the measure.

Mr W. 11. Triggs said that the Administration was bound to arouse the resentment of the traders when It took steps to enable the natives to get a fair price for their copra. Mr W. Earnshaw supported Mr Isitt’s remarks concerning the opponents of the Bill, and said that power had existed right through history to turn out those who were inimical to the welfare of the community.

On resuming in the evening Mr W. H. MTntyre spoke of the proposal to place in the bands of one individual power to deport his fellow men without trial. An inquiry should be held wiUi a view to setting things right without resorting to the proposals in the Bill. He opposed the idea of deportation, which was degrading and an extreme punishment. , Mr A. S. Malcolm said he could see no injustice in the Bill. There was sufficient trial already provided. Sir James Allen declared that some questions were beyond party politics, and one of them was the control of the native races. It was foolish to say there was no trial.

Messrs E. Newman and F. Mander supported the Bill, advocating that every facility should be given to the natives to ventilate their grievances.

Replying to the debate, Sir Francis Bell said that the preventing or hindering of the functions and duties of the Government was a crime for which there should be an ordinary trial, but it was a case of political prevention of trouble and strife, and the proposed action was supported by Mr Justice Isaacs, and also by the Supreme Court of the United States. ■ The Bill was read a second time without a dissentient voice. The Council adjourned at 9.45 p.m. WELLINGTON, Juily 29. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. BILLS PASSED. The Imprest Supply Bill (No. 2). the Canterbury College and Canterbury Agricultural College Bill, and the Massey Agricultural College Bill were received from the House, and put through all their stages and passed. The Samoa Amendment Bill, the Animals’ Protection and Game Amendment Bill (Sir Thomas Mackenzie), and the Justices of the Peace Bill were put through their final stages and passed. RENT RESTRICTION BILL. The Rent Restriction Dill was introduced from the House. Speaking on the second reading, Sir Frederick Lang said that last year they were asked to pass the measure and trust to the Government not to make a further extension. Instead of restricting rents, the legislation had tended to cause rents to go up. Mr W. Earnshaw suggested that a continuance of the legislation was not really helping the situation. Houses were going to rack and ruin and were being held unimproved, pending a demand for replacement bv industrial and commercial buildings. It was time the restrictions were ended. The Bill was useless to effect any rea] purpose. Mr R. Moore regarded the Act as a dead letter, and said he did not think its repeal would make any difference at all without a decrease in the cost of building. Mr G. J. Garland said the measure did net affect new buildings. The Minister of Labour (Mr G. J. Anderson) appeared to have been ill-advised, and the speaker hoped that next year he would bring in a measure repealing the Act. Mr A. S. Malcolm declared that the Act had destroyed the confidence of private builders, and had the effect of restricting the_ building of dwellings for rent. The second reading was defeated bv 15 votes to 14. The following is the division list :— Ayes. Noes. Bell Allen Rhodes Carrington Barr Cohen Clark Fleming Earnshaw Gow Hawke Hanan Isitt Lang MTntyre Mackenzie Moore Malcolm Reed Mander Scott Mitchclson Sinclair Newman Smith Rikihana Stout. Stewart Triggs. The Council adjourned at 4.40 p.m. until Wednesday next.