HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13479, 19 July 1907, Page 5

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30.

NO DUTY ON KEROSENE.

The Premier, in answer to a question, informed the House that no duty on kerosene was imposed by the new tariff. . Mr. Aitken stated that the price of kerosene had been increased by £d a gallon under the belief that it was dutiable. Sir Joseph Ward — It is not dutiable under the tariff. Mr. Aitken said the Customs authorities had told the owners of oil that on the next shipment that arrived they would demand, under the new tariff, a duty of |d a gallon. The Minister for Customs said that any Customs officer, who said there was a duty on kerosene did not know what he was doing. The only duty was on crude oil. Later the Minister for Customs, in reply to an' interjection, stated that the statement that the duty had been placed upon kerosene did not emanate from the Customs Department.

THE LAND BILLS. Replying to Mr. Massey, Hon. Mr. McNab said the Land Bills would be

brought down this week.

MUSICIANS BILL. Mr. Sidey moved the second reading of the Musicians Bill. This Bill proposes to provide for the registration of musicians and to regulate instruction in music in New Zealand and the admis-

sion of musicians to the society to be incorporated under the provisions of the Act. Members of the various registered musical societies, he explained, were to be admitted, and all persons over twenty-one years of age who had been habitually engaged in composing, teaching, performing, or writing music for three years prior to the coming: into operation of the Act should be entitled to have their names registered, together with all persons holding diplomas, degrees, or certificates showing qualifications. The remainder of the Bill was composed mainly of machinery clauses, including power to deal with offences against provisions of the Act. Owing to the opposition exhibited to the Bill in certain quarters he did not intend to proceed further with the measure this .session than having it read a second time and referred to the Select Committee. Such a Bill was in the interest of the musical profession of the colony. Mr. T. Mackenzie moved that the Bill be read a second time this day six months. He scathingly criticised the provisions of the measure, especially the penal clauses. Mr. Barber supported the amendment. He considered the Bill premature. There were sufficient examining bodies without, establishing another one. Thai was what the Bill sought to do. Mr<> Fisher, opposed the Bill, and pointed out it proposed to set up a monopoly, as ( ty> $he age of persons to be admitted. He said there were a great many persons under 21 who had the faculty of teaching music, and they were debarred from membership. Mr. Barclay thought the Bill should be allowed to £0 so far as to be considered by the committee proposed to. be set up." '„> ' ' * . ' ' Mr. Buddpjsaid that while musicians in the colony deserved sympathy, he objected to making a close corporation of them. There were, however, some good features in the Bill, and he would not like to see it killed outright. Mr. Aitken said Wellington musicians opposed the Bill on the ground that. it was unsuitably drafted, and they wished to obtain a general conference of musicians of the colony during the year to decide what was the best step to take. Mr. Hannan favoured the second reading of the Bill. Mr. Lzard said he had received information from musicians from all parts of the colony that they did not want the Bill.

The amendment was negatived by 38 to 22, and the Bill read a second time. Mr. Sidey moved that the Bill be referred to a Seleqt Committee. — Carried by 35 to 32.

ACCOUNTANTS BILL.

Mr. A. L. D. Fraser, in moving the second reading of the Accountants Bill, said it was a measure which ought to have been introduced by a Minister if the Crown. Lengthy ■as tlje Bill was, its object could be explained in a few words ; it was that the accountants and actuaries of the colony should be registered, and that the 500 or 600 accountants and actuaries, in the colony should be embodied in one solid body. He had the approval of the majority of those interested in the measure in asking for this Bill, and he hoped the House would assist in making the Bill a workable measure. He desired to see none excluded who should be included, none admitted to registration who ought not to be. Mr. Wilford agreed that the Bill was necessary, and that these men should be. given a proper status. Referring to the penal clause, he urged that it should be modified so" as to prevent harshness which would bear upon certain persons earning their livelihood as accountants. Mr. Aitken contended thai; a Bill containing such important principles as this one ought to bear the imprimatur^ of the , Government. He criticised the machinery clauses, and expressed the opinion that the door was opened too wide for safety. On the other han/i, he objected to the clause providing that no one should be permitted to audit accounts of companies unless he was a public accountant, as it would be found embarrassing in country districts where there were no public accountants. He approved the principle of the Bill, but considered that, as framed, it would be unworkable. He hoped the principle would be affirmed, and that then the Government would take the matter :n: n hand.

The second reading was agreed to on the voices.

TRUSTEES ACT. The Trustees Act Amendment Bill passed through Committee without amendment.

FARRIERS BILL. The Farriers Bill was committed.

The discussion was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.