PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 22, 18 September 1912, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, September 17. The House met at 2.30. Public Service Bill. Mr Pavey gave notice that when the Public Service Bill is in Committee he will move an amendment exempting the post and telegraph service from the operations of the Bill. Sir W. J. Steward. Sir W. J. Steward offered to present to Parliament a portrait of himself as Speaker from 1891-3. This was accepted with thanks. Parliament Buildings. The Prime Minister made a statement with regard to the new Parliamentary buildings. He indicated that the buildings would be proceeded with in a modified form, at a cost of £130,000, and that tenders would be invited within a month from the present time, three months being allowed for receipt of the same.

Sir J. Ward stated that he wished to remove the idea that the Ward Government had ordered the erection of the present foundations of Parliament House. Parliament had authorised all that had been done so far.

Mr Massey said that he hoped the member for Awarua did not think he (the Prime Minister) was attempting to make party capital out of what he had stated. On the contrary, he recognised that Parliament could not remain housed where they were at present for much longer. He mentioned that the Minister for Public Works hoped to- bring down the Public Works Statement in about a fortnight's time. The Upper House. In answer to a statement by Mr Wilford, Mr "Massey stated that lie was opposed to the abolition of the Upper House, and was in favour of the Legislative Council. The House adjourned at 5.30. Bills Passed. The House resumed at 7.30. > The Gold Duty Amendment Bill. Wanganui Bridge Amendment, Waihoh and Ohinemuri Rivers Improvement Amendment Bill and Agricultural and Pastoral Sociccies Amendment Bill were read a third time and passed. i and and Income Assessment. The House went into Committee on the Land and Incomo Assessment Amendment Bill.

Tlie amendment in the clause altering the definition of "mortgage," made by the Public Accounts Committee, so as to include any annuity or rent charged upon land or secured by will and payable out of rents and profits of land, was agreed to. A new clause inserted by the Public Accounts Committee, providing that the agent of a non-resident trader may apply his principal's money in payment of tax for which the principal is liable, was agreed to. A further amendment proposed by the same Committee, providing that roots of flax plants be included in the unimproved value of land was also agreed to. Mr Lee moved to amend clause 21 (a) by giving to the commissioner or the objector an absolute right of appeal to the Supreme Court on any question of fact, where the amount of the tax exceeds £2OO.

The Minister accepted the amendment, which was agreed to. The Bill was reported with amendments. Superannuation. The Local Authorities Superannuation Bill was committed. Mr Herdman, in reply to Mr Buddo, said that the Bill would enable big bodies to make better provision for old servants. Mr Davey considered the Bill failed, inasmuch as it did not make the superannuation compulsory. The Bill was reported unamended. Auckland Education Bill. The Auckland Education Bill was next taken in Committee. The Bill was reported. The House rose at midnight.