PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 7, 24 August 1911, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESEMTATI VE3. (Per Press Association... Wellington, August 23. The Council met at 2.30. A letter was read from oirs. W. G. Smith, acknowledging the sympathy of tiio Council on too death or net husband.

Replying to Sir slaurice O’Rorkc, the iion. 51 r, 51cGowan, rcprcscnciag trie ivlinistry, •said the question or complying witn tlie request of the University bcuate that a Fill to enable tlie Senate to grant Divinity degrees, was under consideration by tlie Government.

Sir Jdnurico O’Korko moved that, in tlie opinion of tlie Council, it is desirable co establish a few pensioners’ settlements along tlie Main Trunk line, between Te Aw.uxmtu and Alarton, each pensioner to receive a cottage and an acre of land in the settlement and 23 acres within live miles of tlie settlement three years after arrival. Each pensioner to be married and accompanied by his family. He pointed to what Sir George Grey had done to establish such settlements in the vicinity of Auckland in 18-17. The Hen. S. Thorne-Gcorge, who supported the motion, said that the original settlements were mere for the purpose of defence than anything else. Pic would like to see the motion taking the direction of small farms rather than the village settlements suggested. / hue Hon. Sir. Luke, while admitting that the motion was in the right directum, contended that a more vigorous public works and land settlement policy must he pursued if the country was to develop as it should

The Hon. C. If. Mills did not think too proposal would pi no the i ight class of settlors. There were hundreds of people desirous of getting lend who wore unable to obtain it. Tho Hon. Mr. McCardls referred to the difficulties of settlement on small iTr.improved holdings, but welcomed anything that would further settlement.

The Hons. Messrs. Harris and Barr opposed it on tlie ground that there were plenty of people here who wore anxious to get on the land. The Hon. Mr. McGowan was sorry to say ho could not support the motion of his old friend.

The debate was adjourned, and the Council rose.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30 p.m. ? The favourable recommendation by the Petitions Committee of tho petition from the Rangitikei Rac'fi * Club, praying for restitution of their license, drew from the Hon. J. A. Millar a statement that ho was surprised at the recommendation of the Committee. They were asking the Minister of Internal Affairs to break the lav/. He repeated that the Government intended to stand by tho Conin'. i ssio n’ s report. Members again voiced their discontent with tho Commission’s report. ' REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. In answer to questions Ministers stated—

It was not, intended to introduce legislation tins year to extend the margin ot difference as to the population quota so as to enable tho Representation Commissioners to amend their proposals and adjust the boundaries to preserve community of interest. The Government will consider the question of setting np a Commission to _ investigate the increased cost of living. No provision would ho made in the new defence scheme for tho upkeep cf garrison bands. Garrison bands under tho old defence scheme would now become bands to tho divisions, and would become regimental bands. It was proposed to introduce this session an amendment to the Education Act, making it clear that teachers transferred against their will would have the same right of appeal as if they were dismissed. Tho question of allowing members of the education service who are not at present contributors to the teachers’ superannuation fund to have the right to become contributors as original members, was now under consideration. The matter of the Moka.ii Block had

already been before toe Government. It was believed that the recent dealings would prove satisfactory in every way, and before long a thriving settlement would l)o established. Tiie question of assisting the development of an export trade in apples by continuing the guarantee of a penny a pound was being considered

EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr. Witty moved the second reading of the .Hand Agents Registration Bill. This measure, he pointed out. was not so much to safeguard the laud agent ns to safeguard the public against unscrupulous land agents. The Bill was directed against streetcorner land agents, who bad no properties. on their' books. At the present time there was no fund into which agents were compelled to pay trust moneys received, and if they were not Matched tlio money was gone, and so wore the agents. License fees, as provided by the Bill, were to be paid to the local authority that issued the license,_ and after deducting any expense incurred in respect of license should pay the balance to the hospital and charitable aid board of the district. Every person desiring to take out a license shall enter into a fidelity bond for £SOO. He hoped the Government would take up the Bill after the second reading.

I’! r. Guthrie welcomed the Bill, the main features of which were admirahlo. ' Mr. Poole said a measure of this description was very necessary, and should he placed on tho Statute Book without delay.

Mr. Okey applauded tho principles of the Pill, hut thought the license fees should go to the local "odie.s maintaining roads which agents ted to a great extent. Messrs. Forbes, Luke, and Xewman supported the Bill. Air. Stallworthy said that the fact of registration being effected did not protect the public. - Ho hoped the Government would take up the measure. Mr. Hassell said tho measure v,c.alcl severely affect small land agents in tho country, who would he handicapped if the Bill came into operation. The Mon. !). Bnddo said that even if air. Witty v.as unsuccessful with tho measure in this session there was no reason why ho should not eventually succeed, as had been the case with ", larger number of other measures introduced by private members. Government had for some time been considering the introduction of a Bill of this nature, and in fact, it was intended

to bring it down this session. Tin's would bo done if Air. Witty's Bill did not get further than this reading. Tho. Hon. G. Fowlcls was opposed to imposing license fees, as that tended

tocreate a monopoly, or if a fee were imposed it should bo a very sinr.il

Air. Witty having replied, tiie second reading was agreed to. The House rose at 11.20.