From Our Parliamentary Reporter.

Southland Times, Issue 19140, 2 September 1903, Page 3

From Our Parliamentary Reporter.

WELLINGTON. Tuesdny, Sept, l. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. RELEASING LAND. Tho second Heading ol" tho Crown (ri-anls Act Amendment Bill was mo v '«' by the Attorney-General, who explained that mauy ('rown grants had been loft in tho offices for years, incurring custody foes which had * accumulated, in some cases, till the total was above tho value of the land. The bill gave tho Registrar power to compound with owners of land as to the amount of custody foes payable, hut not loss than. 10 per cent, oi the value of the land could bo accepted. This would enable the taking up of hind which would otherwise be forfoitod. The second rending was carried. The Fertilisers Dill and Indictable Offences Summary Jurisdiction Act Amendment Bill were read a second time, and the Council rose at 8.5 p.m. HOTSK OF RKIMtESENTATIVES. STATE FIRE INSURANCE. Tho State Fire Insurance Bill was recommitted to make alterations merely affecting phraseology- There was another lonjr discussion on the principle and working of the bill, but nothing m«. was said and no alterations were made. Tho bill was put through its anal stages. ARU{TUATION COURT. In Committee on the Arbitration Court Emergency Uill, Mr Seddon. in accordance with his promise, inserted a new clause providing for Unions to bo consulted before, an appointment to till a temporary vacancy is uiado. Provision was also made for appointing deputy members of the Court at the same time as members are elected. SUPREME COURT JUDGES. The bill dealing with the retirement and superannuation of judges passed through Committee without amendment. EVENING SITTING. : On resuming at 7.30. the Arbitration Court Emergency Bill and Supreme Court Judges Bill were put tl\ro"gh their final stages, being treated as matters of urgancy. THE ESTIMATES. Consideration of the Estimates was resumed. The Public Health Deparnne.it, ii1H.444. was taken. Mr T. Mackenzie moved a reduction of tho first item as an indication unit the Government should sot up a Civil Service Board to control and regulate appointments to Government departments. On going to a division, the notion was lost by 28 to 35. Answering criticisms by Mr .James Allen, Sir J. G. Ward said that Ihe Health Department had done much to improve tho condition o< tho Maoris. Mr But hie complained of the extravagant expenditure in this department. A little more coiwnonsonso should be exercised in carrying out tho health laws, i'kero was too much interference v.-ith th 4 convenience of the publio and of comuierce.—Mr Mussey said that tl.e powers given to the department- were despotic, jjdteal bodies could he compelled to put up infectious diseases hospitals, under pain of losing subsidies —Sir .J.O.Ward said that boioro this department was established sums were expeude I under other heads, salaries wore distributed amongst various departments, and tno real "increase in 'he expenditure was £VUOO. Uubonic plague had been nuout rind other diseases, but none of them had been allowed to spread. What was £9000 in comparison to tbe benefits from the department '? "" A motion by Mr Willis to reduce tho vote of £525 for assistant chief health oflicer, by way of protest against that orticer having bfeen given a rise of Lub, was lost on the voices. Mr Wilford moved to reduce the vote for vaccination (£3000) by £1 as an indication thnt an absolutely free hand should be given in that -Jiroction and that amendment was required accordingly in the Public Health Act— Lost by 41 .to 13.— The class thon ..passed. Industries. Commence and 'tourist Department, £43,877, was then taken, and on the item, £450 for a trade representative in South Africa, Mr .las. Allen moved a reduction of £1 arf an indication that this oflicer was unnecessary. The trade would go just as well without him.— 'Mr Seddon strongly defended, and Said we could not go hack to old-time methods j we must keep our markets and also go further afield. r-Mr Jns. Allen urged that more should bo done at Home to encourage trade. — Amendment lost on the voices and tho vote passed unaltered. A discussiou on the tourist votes was proceeding when the telegraph oflice Closed at 2 a.m.