PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143586, 26 August 1911, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Per Press Association. : WELLINGTON, August 25. Sir Maurice O’Korke moved “That this Council is of opinion that it is desirable that the Govoninient should appoint an emigration officer in ireland, and another in Scotland, to facilitate emigration from those countries, and that each emigrant of 21 years of age should receive *lO acres of freehold land in New Zealand.” The Hon. Mr. Luke, while not agreeing with the whole motion, took occasion to emphasise the importance of more vigorous immigration, public works, and land settlement policy. This country should have a far larger number of settlers on its lands than it has. The Hon. Mr. M’Cardle urged the necessity for closer settlement, hut objected to the proposal to give blocks of land away. The Hon. Mr. Callan said the scheme was impracticable. If the free grant portion were left out be would vote for the motion, for he agreed with the importance of immigration. , . The Hon. Mr. Beelian expressed similar views. -j The Hou. Messrs. Anstcy and M'Gowan opposed the motion, winch was lost on the voices. The Council rose.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30. , . , Mr L. M. l&itt, the newly-elected member for Christchurch North, was sworn in. and took his seat. The Methodist Charitable and Educational Trusts Bill was read a third time and passed. , Speaking to the Lands Committees report on the Land Amendment Bill introduced by himself, Mr. Newman asked that the Government should takeup the measure, as it was impossible for him to go any further with it ns a private member. The Bill provided tor increased representation by Crown tenants on land boards. Mr. Jennings supported the application for increased representation ot too Crow n tenants. . , The Hon D. Buddo said the Bill aimed at the reduction of Government nominees on laud boards, lie had never had anv complaint about representation in land boards, most ot tbo duties ot which were purely statutory. Ihe Crown tenants’ interests w<-ic «st-ntial-ly their own, and no concern or the land boards. , Mr. Outline said there was no desire to infringe on the rights ot the G<nonmient nominees. Ho regretted the Government would not take the Hill tip. Mr Rurs:c-ll said land boards were merely vehicles for registering decisions of tile Government departments. He held that greater local knowledge was necessary to properly carry out the functions of land hoards l.aml districts. and land hoards should be mMr Ell maintained that land boards were very important institutions. \\ itb regard to increased representation, he hold that the Crown tenants wove only a small section of the community, Mr. Hannan held that Crown tenants had not shown 'the interest they should have done in land board matters. The Stone Quarries Amendment Bill was resd a third time and passed. The Hon. G. Few Id -mevtil the second reading of the Auckland Grammar School Site Bill, whii l> provides for a suitable* site lor the seheol on the gaol reserve at Mount Eden. The Bill read a ?eccnd time. Tim Hon. O. Fowlds *umved the .second loading of the Education Riveters Amendment. Bill, which esteude.! the powers cf Hi di School trustees and removed restrictions imd-r the Public Bodies Lfaring Act, RL’S. Mr. Field npnlnudfd the nhrol.s c f the Bill. The‘powers conferred by it were urgently needed hy (he school tru •tecs."

Air. Kerries welcomed the Bill from the point of view of tenants on high school reserves. The Bill was read a .--eenml time. T he Patents and Trade Marks Bill was read u third time.

The H'm. J. A. Millar moved the adjournment of the Koire (a enable members to meet and welcome tlie Premier.

Tlie motion was agreed to. and the House adjourned till Tue-.day. Tlie House rose nt 5.30.