PARLIAMENT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10496, 5 November 1912, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Per Press Association. Wellington, November 4. The Council met at 11 a.m. On the motion of the Hon. Rigg,, the Joint Committee’s report on Mr Joshua Jones’ claim was referred to Government for consideration. The Hon. Bell moved the third reading of,the Land Bill. The Hon. Rigg said he was prepared to vote against the third read' ing on the division on the grounds that it was a freehold Bill, and he stood for land nationalisation. The Hon. Samuel reviewed the provision of the Bill, and said they were to be congratulated that “this poisonous cloud” of leashold was being dispersed.. The best interests of the mass of the country were sacrificed in the past because of the establishment of lease in perpetuity. The Hon, Mills favoured the leasehold tenure. ( The Council then adjourned.

The Council resumed at 3.30. The debate on the Land Bill was continued by the Hons. Barr, Loughnan, Paul, Anstey, Beehan, Harris, and the Minister having replied, the second reading was carried by 18 to four. The Loan Bill passed all stages, and the Council adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Per Press Association. Wellington, November 4. The Home met at 3.30. THE INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS, ; • J. The NeW Zealand Institute of I Architects Bill (the Hon. Herdman) was read a first time. j Replying to Mr Russell, the Minister stated that it was not intended to proceed with the measure this session. It had been introduced in order that it might be circulated. RAILWAY AUTHORISATION. A Railway Authorisation Bill was introduced by Governor’s massage. Replying to Mr 1 Witty, the, Minister said the new railway works proposed to be autnorised were North , Auckland (branch . line to Whangarei), North Island Main Trunk (Waiuku branch), East Coast Main Trunk, Gpunake branch, Featherston-Martinborough branch,' Oulverden-Waiau Balclutha-Tuapeka branch. THE IRON INDUSTRY, The Special Committee set up to consider the Jiron and steel industry reported against the proposals of the Ethelburga syndicate and recommended that the Government should make inquiry into the iron industry in the Dominion. The report was referred to the Government for consideration. PROGRESS OF BILLS, The House went into Committee on the Town Boards Amendment Bill, the Public Reserves and Domains Amendment Bill, Ellesmere Lands Drainage Amendment Bill, the Westport Harbour Amendment Bill, the State Fire Insurance Amendment Bill.

Mr Ell asked if the Minister of Finance would insist on all mortgage insuring in the State offices. The Hon. Allen replied that lie had already stated that he would recommend that preference should he given to the State office. Mr Ell said that the reply was bluff. Previous Ministers : had insisted on it. Mr Allen: “That is not correct, ’’ Mr Ell - contended that the Minister’s act was an act of disloyalty to the State Department. The House adjourned. The' Honso resumed at 7.80. In committee on the State Fire Insurance Bill, Mr Fisher quoted Cabinetj|minutes of the Seddon and Ward Administrations /which set out that Cabinet had released the State departments from insisting on compulsory insurance in the State office. ‘ The Hon. Mr Allen said the circular recently issued by the department was necessary from a legal standpoint. If business were restricted to the State offices, it would mean the ruination of the Farmers’ Co-operative Insurance Companies. The State offices were not created to shut out others, but to act as a check on them. Mr McKenzie submitted that unless the Government took care of the State fire insurance business this department would be brought to grief, and then up would go premiums again. Mr Laurenson remarked that no amount of dodging would alter the following facts:—Last year the Liberal 1 Government issued a circular requiring borrowers of State money to insure with the State. This year the Massey Government merely urged borrowers to give preference to the State insurance. The Military Pensions Bill was considered in committee. Mr Okey said the people who would benefit under the Act were prepared to accept a smaller pension so long as it was given purely for services rendered and not by way of charity. The Hon. Mr Fisher said that all claims had been fairly considered. He did not think that any Government could go further v than t! e pre--sent proposed to go. , In committee on the Military Pensions Bill, the Minister accepted an amendment by. Sir A. Guinness providing that moneys drawn from, the bank for an applicant’s use shall not count as income.

The Bill was further, amended by providing that persons who have been absent frfon the Dominion for a short period should not be debarred from, receiving the pension. After midnight, amendments to the Railway Bill were introduced (providing for representation by secretaries of the A.S.R.S., Locomotive and Engine Cleaners’ Association, and Railway Officers’ Society on the Appeal Board), ’«fand were read a first time. The Military Pensions Bill was read a third time and passed. The House was still sitting when the telegraph office closed at 3 a.m.