PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 26 July 1907, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

TIICRSDAY, JULY 25. By Telegraph— Per Press Association. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at. 2.30. The Gisborne Harbor Bill (C*i-oll)' and Wellington City Empowering LSill (Fisher) werj rend a first time and lcfenvd to the Local Bills Committee.

The Loan Bill was brought down by Governor's Message and read m first time.

The Noxious Weeds Aet Amendment Bill was considered in Committee. An amendment by Mr Rutherford to exempt portions (if Amiiri anil Cheviot Counties from the operations of the Bill was subsequently withdrawn. I During the discussion Mr Slallworthy referred to the time when Mr Allison l j was fined under the Noxious Weeds Aet 'for failing to clear his land of weds. Mr Allison slated that the proseeu.lion was a politial one.

The Hon. Mr Duncan, who was Minister for Lands at the time, denied that it was in political prosecution. It* had never been brought under his notice in any way until to-day. Discussion was proceeding when the House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30.

In the absence of Sir W. J. Steward, who was in the elnjr in the afternoon, Mr Buddo took the chair. The. Noxious Weeds Act Amendment Bill was further considered in Committee. An amendment that Auckland should be included in the operations of the Bill, which occupied the attention of meivfhers during almost the whollc. afternoon, was further delutcd, and ultimately the clause as amended was agreed to. Mr Heke moved a. further amendment to limit the operations of the Bill to Nelson and Auckland City. At 11.15, Mr Ngnta moved to report, progress. lie said the Maori members did"iot desire to block business, but they objected to the Bill before the House. Progress was reported. ALLEGED STONEWALL.

The Hon. Mr. Carroll moved for an adjournment. Mr Hogg said he was sorry to oppose the motion. He rose to say that he had seen tactics adopted that day never hefore witnessed, in that House. No great object had been served beyond preventing the reading of two Bills he brought before the House, the Abolition of Plural Voting and the Flour Duty Abolition Bill. '" -':<■;*(

Mr Flalman raised a point of order as to whether Mr Hogg could speak on a matter down still to be placed before the lllouse.

The Speaker ruled that Mr Hogg was in order in mentioning the measures, hut he could not speak on. them. Mr Hogg went on to criticise the action of members of the House during the afternoon sitting in committee, particularly mentioning Messrs Flatman and Izard. Mr Flatman protested that he was not present during the afternoon, and only spoke at night, and if he was guilty of delaying the business of the House, so was Mr Hogg, who had also spoken on the Bill. Mr Hall said there seemed to be collusion between both sides of the House to keep the debate proceeding, ne characterised the speeches as rot and rubbish. When called to order, he 'withdrew the statement.

Mr MasSey said there had been no collusion on his part. The other side of the House could speak for itself. Mr Hogg said he would leave it to the House whether he should proceed with his measures, which he characterised as being of great importance to the whole colony, and which sooner or later must be brought forward. Other members spoke, and denied that they were guilty of the alleged stonewalling. The House, adjourned at 11.35 p.m. The LOAN BILL provides for Railway Construction, £375,000; additional rolling stock for open lines and such other purposes in connection therewith, £200,000; land settlement and goldfields development, construction of roads, tracks, bridges, etc.. £350,000; for the purpose of developing goldfields, £25.000; telegraph extension. £50,000; total, one mil,ion"