House of Representatives.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8861, 11 July 1907, Page 2

House of Representatives.

The House met at 3.80. FIRST READINGS. St. Andrew’s Church (Wellington) Trustees’ Empowering Bill and Agricultural Labourers’ Accommodation Bill were read a first time. In reply to questions, Ministers stated: — > That it was the intention of Government to proceed with amendment of Friendly Societies’ Act this session, and, where practicable, to include amendments suggested by committee of Friendly Societies’ Conference hold in Wellington last year. That it was intended to legislate with a view to restricting the immigration of Chinese. That a resolution from workers urging that duty bo removed from imported wheat and flour was receiving careful consideration. That it was not contemplated to introduce a Fair Rent Bill this session. That in tiie Arbitration "Bill to be introduced, the recovery of penalties or flues imposed by the Arbitration Court would bo considered. That eyery care w’as being taken that the issue of awards in connection with the Exhibition should be strictly in accordance with the judges’ decisions. Where objections were made the fullest inquiry would bo made. In only two instances had it been thought necessary to cancel awards. That applications for extension of telephone communication in sparsely populated districts would ho dealt with on their merits. At present reductions could not be authorised. That the importance of deep sea fisheries has been taken into cou- | sideratiou, and the Marine DepartI meut had done what it could to on-. ! courage them. The GovemmentJiad I chartered the Nora Niven trawler, and hoped the result would bo the locating of valuable fishing bods. That the question of altering the Government Railways Superannuation Fund Act so as to allow broken service being computed for the purpose of ?re tiring allowances had received full consideration at the hands of Government on many occasions, and the request could not bo' granted. That the suggested abolition or reduction of the sheep tax would bo considered before the proposed amendment of the Stock Act was printed. That Government was not prepared during the present session to make any change in the existing' scale of teachers’ salaries. It was hoped to improve the scale, but the precise way this could bo done was not a question that could be settled immediately. That Government did not contemplate introducing an amendment of the Municipal Corporations Act this session. That the question of pay in all grades of railway men would bo considered when the classification proposals are under review. That the progress of motive power for farming operations was being closely watched. Replying to Mr Field, the Premier stated, regarding the Mauawatu Railway, that 1 ‘it mtist bo obvious that the Government’s first concert! must be the conserving of the interests of the colony, and while, as I have said, the Government is quite willing to treat on fair terms a proposal to purchase, it will not be entertained at any inflated value. It is not absolutely necessary that, the Government should acquire the line for the purpose of carrying on the traffic originating on the Government lines, as it is recognised that a suitable connection could be made for the diverting of the traffic to the' Government lines. I recognise, however, that the Mauawatu Railway has been of considerable use, and the owners are deserving of fair consideration should they desire to dispose of it.” The Premier announced that tne Financial Statement . would be brought down on Tuesday night, and accompanying it would be the most important Bills of the session— thoiio relating to the laud proposals, the Land Bill, Endowment, and Land and Income Assessment Bills. The circulation of those measures before the debate proceeded would give hon. members full information relative to the Government’s proposals. Later on the Native Laud Bill would be circulated. . Mr Fisher asked if the Government had any intention of setting up a special committee in Connection with the tariff. • The Premier: No; we might have set up a special committee twelve mouths ago. Mr Fisher: Is there to be no facility for manufacturers to give evidence on existing anomalies? The Premier replied that it was a wrong time. Representations should have been made long ago. When the tariff came down with recommendations no committee could bo set up. If any other course were adopted it would mean no tariff this year. On the House resuming at 7.30, Sir William Steward moved, as he lias for many years, the second reading of the Legislative Council Election Bill. He stated that whilst he was convinced the majority of the members of the House were against any proposal for the abolition of .the Upper House, ho was dqtlauy convinced that the majority wer§ strongly of opinion that there was d better means of appointing members than at present. He appealed to members to assist him to arrive at some practical reform. Mr Barclay expressed the opinion that a second Chamber was not a necessity of good government. He stated that the House of Lords was . looked on as an incubus, almost a curse. The American Senate was rapidlv surrounding itself with power and the Chamber representatives of the people were gradually fading into insignificance, and it was the same in other countries. He was convinced the Council was neither necessary nor usefnl. He intended to vote against the Bill, as it did not go far enough. Mr Wilford said it was idle to give a second reading to the Bill, because if it passed all readings it would meet the fate of other Bills sent to the Upper Chamber, and be cast out. Mr T. McKenzie would support the Bill for the purpose of indicating that the present system of making appointments is unsatisfactory. Messrs Fisher and Ell supported the Bill. The Premier opposed the Bill, and defended the recent appointments. Mr Massey, referring to the appointments recently made to the - 1 } Upper House, said they were not | the men who would have been selected by the people. He considered that men Who had been members (representatives), and there were plenty snob, should be nominated to the Upper Chamber. Alluding to the appointment of the Attorney-General to the Upper. Chamber and the Executive, ho referred to Dr. Findlay’s defeat as a candidate for the Wellington electorate for a seat in the House. Yet now lie had a place in the Executive. The position was intolerable. Mr Gray expressed the opinion that the Council was no better than the House in the matter ef hasty legislation. Ho intended to vote against the motion. After Messrs Laurence, Symea, Lang, Allen, and others had spoken, Major Steward replied, and the motion was carried by 40 to 29. fThe following is the division list: Ayes—Aitken, Alison, J. Allen - (Bruce), Arnold, Barber, .Bennett, Boland, Buddo, Colvin, Davey, Ell, Fisher, Greenslade, Hauan, Hardy, Herries, Hogan, Izard, Jennings, Lang, Laurenson, Lewis. T. McKenize (Waikonaiti), Malcolm, McPherson, Mander, Massey, Okey, Poland, Poole, Reid, Ross, Sidey, Steward, Symes, Tanner, Thomson,. and Witty. Noes.—E. G. Allen (Chalmers), . Barclay, Carroll, Dillon, Duncan, Field. Fowlds, A. L. D. Fraser, (Napier), W. Fraser (Wakatipn), Graham,. Gray, Hall, Heke, Hornsby, Houston, Kidd, R, McKon'izo (Motueka), McGowan, McLachlan, MoNab, Major, Millar, Parata, Remington, Soddon, Stallworthy, Ward, Wilofrd, and Wood. Mr R. McKenzie moved the second rending of the Noxious Weeds i Amendment Bill. A division was taken withont debate and carried by 41 to SB, The House adjourned at 11.45 p.m.