PARLIAMENTARY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13677, 20 August 1908, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY.

-->mt» >- —— • P«r Presg Association. ■ LEGISL ATIV E CO UNCIL. . ' WELLINGTON, August 19. The Legislative Council adjourned after a brief sitting, as a mark of respect to the late Mr Feldwick. The Attorney-General in moving a vote of condolence with • the deceased's family paid a. high tribute to Mr Feldwick as legislator, journalist and volunteer!. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, The House-met at 2.30 p.m. . ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.. Replying .{o questions; Ministers stated That there "was no intention of introducing a mechanical process for the conduct of general ejections. .-.,.-. That the* newspaper reports regarding the'workers at Broken River, Christchnreh, cannot be regarded as facts. The Government information proved that those genuinely desiring work were, still at work and making fair wages ; those who preferred agitation and notoriety, had retniTied to the greater comforts' of town life.. '

That Jthose= desirous of availing themselves of the privilege of travelling on workers' tickets on ; the railways must comply .with the regulations, governing the.issue of the'sathe and l travel by trains reaching their destination by 8 a.m.., That the Government couid not see their way to place iron-working machinists on the same, grade.of- pay; as wood-work-ing machinists. . ; '■-..,■ i . That a reduction of the minimum holi-' day privileges an fares cannot be approved.' - : ;

That until the Brennan mono-rail system has improved from the. experimental stage it would ; be tin wise of the' Government to attempt to introduce it into New Zealand.

That the matter of-acquiring the large iron one deposits ab ; Parapara- was under the Government's consideration, but the Government preferred ■ that. private writer- ; prise should be first exhausted. - Thiat there was no. authority.for-an extension' of the season for native game shooting..- . .-,..,': ...-.•'.'•.■ That the Government are not satisfied' that' the.giving of the.right to appeal tor the Supreme Court, to persons aggrieved by the decisions of the native land court or compensation court wouldimprove matters. ' '.' '.;''■-.

That the. information regarding I wool prices supjplied ;by' tlie High Cbminfesioner is as /reliable as the quotations from other sources. . That the .question of introducing a trades' Monopolies: Bill to combat the Standard Oil Company would bei considered by Ithei That, the Dairy Department were not prepared to have a comprehenluVe system introduced for testing and recording the milk yield! of any cow nominated, for entry' in the district dairy, herd book, but. the dairy inspectors; ; lately appointed would be instructed to advise and assist dairymen as far as possible to improve their herds. That"in 'any scheme for medical' inspection of schools; provision'.would be.made for an examination of the teeth of schoolchildren.

The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. BILL PASSED. Tie Quackery Prevention Bill was passed. THROUGH COMMITTEE. ""■'■'■ The Destitute Persons Act Amendment Bill was reported without discussion in committee. COUNTIES BILL. On the Counties Act Amendment' Bill' a-motion .by the-Premier that the Gover-norrin-Council should be enabled to increase the number of members 1 sitting on such councils, but, riofc beyond twelve, was agreed to. A motion to abolish plural voting in county elections was rejected by 30 votes to 23 votes. -- The Bill was reported with amendments. MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS, The Municipal Corporations Act,' 1900, Amendment, Bill No. 2, was committed.' ■. Considerable discussion' was evoked by a proposal to extend the parliamentary franchise to municipal elections. . Mr.Fisher, who has charge of the Bill, justified the principle of the measure, contending Jhafc ,t-he present law kept honest people off the roll,, and allowed dishonest people to be on.' . • The Bill was reported with, amendments. ; PUBLIC WORKS.

In Committee on the ...'Public Works: Amendment Bill Sir, J: 6. Ward proposed an. apiendment in the direction of enabling local: authorities to resume land, for street widening' in cases of narrow streets constructed by, ,Order-in-Council,,under this Bill. ; Subsequently the amendment was withdrawn on the understanding that; the clause will be amended to make the width 40ft. instead of 20ft,. '„.'■■•..'

; A proposal to amend clause 7 inthe direction of .giving local bodies greater powers to cut down trees at the corner of streets was negatived,-by 40 votes to 15 votes. -' • :■ - -

Sir W. J- Steward moved a clause requiring owners to furnish a statement of claim. The proposal was defeated after a protracted discussion. The Bill was reported with amendments. The House rose at 12.30 a.m.