HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Timaru Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 3056, 14 September 1899, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Conclusion of Tuesday's sitting. THE ESTIMATES.. Stamps and Deeds Department, £25,300.- Passed. < olonial Secretary's Department, £92,035. [ The item Minister's salary representing the Maori Race, £400, waa on a division carried by 19 to 12 Item, Electoral £26,200. Adverse comment was made upon the charge that some Returning Officers and deputies had displayed party spirit, and took a prominent, part m elections. Tae Premier admit ted that cases of that nature had occurred, but that such steps would be taken as would prevent, as far as possible, a recurrence of such appointments. Item Printing anrl Stationery, £25,176. In answer to Mr G. Hutchison, Mr Hall-Jones said there was at present no intention to introduce linotype machines. Progress wag then reported, and the House rose at 2.45 a.m. The House met at 2.30 p.m. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Notice was given to ask for leave of absence for three weeks for Mr Wright on account of illness. A DISPUTED BRIDGE SITE. Mr Pi rani gave notice to introduce the Gorge Bridge Bill. A RETURN REFUSED. Mr Tanner, chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, brought under the notice of the House a matter m which the committee wished for direction. The committee wished for certain retarns regarding the number of temporary clerks employed m the Gowrnment service, which the Colonial Secretary refused as not being m the order of reference, and that such return could only be furnished upon order of the House. The report of the committee on the subject was read. The Premier contended that the order of reference did not empower the.committee to order the return, and the majority on the committee were of the same opinion. The matter was now left open for the House to deal with. As an amendment to the motion that the report be agreed to, Mr Allen moved that m order to remove doubts as to the power of the Public Accounts Committee, the House affirms that the Public Accounts Committee has power to call for persons, papers, and records. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. SECOND READINGS The Slaughtering and Inspection Bill, Orchard and Garden Pesta jßill, and Noxious Weeds Bill were read a second time. LOANS TO LOCAL BODIES. : The Government Loans to Local Bodies Act Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor's message. The meapure is intended to reduce the rate of interest, to local bodies. Mr G. Hutchison did not think the Bill would confer any benefit upon settlers. Mr Pirani said that it w«b ridiculous the Government bringing down a policy measuie at this stage of the session. He contended that the Bill would discourage settlers raising loans to improve roads. He believed that it would pay the colony to let settlers have money at 2 per cent, for the purpose of making roads. Mr Hogg said that the Bill would be a great boon to. settlers, and would satisfy the cry that had been m vogue for a number of years for extension of the period of repayment at reduced interest. The Premier said that he intended on the second reading to bring down a table showing how the reduction m the rate of interest worked out. Mr Allen contended that long before | 'he period of maturity of the loans the I rate of interest on money would be itjri-aUy reduced, Therefore, the Bill

would be of no benefit to se! tiers. It would be far better to reduce the rate of interest to 2 percent, and let he local bo'-iies make their own road?, and thus relieve the H<u-e of the Jog-rolling 'hat, "rent on m connection with such wo ks The Premier said that the actuarial working out of the amount payable showed a reduction of half per cent. The spttlers had asked that the rate of interest be reduced and the period of repayment extended, and the Bill pro posed to do this. The Bill was read a first time on the voices. COUNCIL AMENDMENTS. The Premier moved that the amendments made by the Legislative Council m the Land for Settlements Act Amendment Bill be agreed to. Mr G. Hutchison movpd that the anv-ndment made m cliuse 7 be not agreed to. The clause provide? that native land should be exempt from. the operations of the Bill. The amendment waa ruled out of order. The Premier's motion was carried on the voices. VOTING REFOKM" BILL. On the motion to commit the Local Government Voting Reiorm Bill, a division was called for — A.yes, 31 ; Nops, 31. The Speaker gave his casting vote m favour of the ayes, and the Bill was committed. The Bill provides that a proposal is carried if the majority of votes recorded at a poll are recorded m favour thereof. A motion was made to report progress on the Bill with a view to commit the Government Accident Insurance Bill. A discussion ensued. Mr J. Hutcheson and Mr Taylor defended the principle of the Bill. Mr Gilfedder approved of a compromise, and suggested that the number of votes exercisable by one person be three. Mr bollard opposed a bare majority, and advocated that only ratepayers be allowed to vote on proposals to raise a loan. Mr Duthie said that if extravagant borrowing went on it waa the workmen who would have to pay for it i i the shape of higher rents. He had no objection to absentee vote being abolished, but thought that a two-thirds majority should be retained m order that a proposal be carried. After a lengthy discussion the Premier ' moved an amendment to clause ?., tnat > m boroughs a three-fifths majority be i necessary to carry a proposal, and that '• residential votes do not count. i The amendment was agreed to on the •• voices. I A new clause moved by the Premier— i that a poll may be taken at any time after the 'passing of the Act, but when 1 once taken the question •annot be again i submitted for three years, was on a di- i vi-ion lost by 35 to 24. < The Premier moved that fie voting i outsHo botoughs be one vote up to £1000 s of valuation, uvo votes to £iOOO, thi'ee votes to £3000, and upwards.— Carried ! by 46 to 9 'I GOVKiiNMENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE BILL. < The House went into committee ou • the Government Accident Insurance t Bill. i Progress was reported on a division by 36 tc 20. t The House rose at 1.40 a m. 1