PARLIAMENTARY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13678, 21 August 1908, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

F«r Pres.* Association. WETd-INGTuN". Angiu-t 20. LEGISLATIVE COCN(-'lt,. 111? Council met at 2.30 p.in. SAVINGS BANK. Tlit? Attorney-General said that the Government had no inteution of introducing Ibe chock syolcni existing in Victoria ill ivsipecl of the Post Oftice Savings Bunk withdrawals. COST OF LIVING. The debate on Mr Ban's motion that the Government- device means whereby the heavy cost of living home by the married workers as. compared with the single men. may be lessened, ivus inierl 'lined bv the 4 o'clock rule. MOTION LOST. The motion that a return be presented uf amounts paid by privaU) individuals fur the rem of public offices was lost. COUNCIL AND HOUSE. The Council decided to insist on its amendments to, the Incorporated Societies' Bill with which the House disagreed. The Council adjourned at 4.10 p.m. HOUSE OF 11EPKESEXT ATI VES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. FIKST READINGS. The following Bills were read a first time:—Murchisoii County Bill and Otugo Heads Native Reserve Koad Bill. BILLS PASSED. The Wes'tport Harbour Board Loan Bill u';iyj read a. third time and passed. The I'rimc Minister slated thai, the iiuancial position of the Board was highly satisfactory. The Christchurch City Sanitation Empowering Bill was read a third time aud pa-istd. THKOUGH COMMITTEE. The Oawuru Towu Hall, Gasworks Sites and lie creation lleacrves Bill, Oamaru Harbour Board Loan Bill, and Chrstchurcli City Betterment Bill, were jml: through the committee stage. The City Betterment Bill gave rise to a protracted discitssiow upon the extent of the poiveiti which municipal corporations should possess to take land foist reel- widening and other purposes. Eventually by the alteration of the iievr pruviso' added' to section 13 of thy Bill by the Local Bills Committee, the principle was aflirmed, that such powers should be couiiiied to casta where the owners' coi;r=i'ui» "'was given.. The Bill was reported with amendments. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m., and resumed at 7.30 p.m. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLV.

ill-- Houtc went into committee of Supply. On the vote, Printing and Stationery, £46,270 —complaints were made iiguirj., h printing 1 lie nils ill Wellington, Hie Hon. \Y.* Hall-Jones defended tire tystem a.» being of advantage. .Some members suggCKLeil a return to the old i-yistcm of striking tlu nannij of I hosts who did not vole at an election off the roll. That wis the best means of purging the rolls. 'ills Hon. W. Hall-Jones thought that such criticism should be urged when the ciceloral vote was under discussion. Tlie vote putted unaltered. Stamp* and Deeds, £38,591. Passed without discussion. Native Department, £28,222. Mr Malcolm moved to reduce the vote by £1 ats a proltiit that sufficient information was not given the House concerning the Department. The Hon. .Mi 1 Carroll quoted statistics to show what a large amount of work Ino Native Laud Court luid done. . Mr Parata thought the Native Land Com t Bench should, be strengthened to ! expedite business. Mr Herries thought that the status of Native Land Court Judgos ought to be raised. -Mr Ngalu- thought the status of Judges should be raised, anil that the number of Judges tliould bo increased to expedite the great juessiuu of business ■waiting tin; Courts attention. Hotter accommodation was requiryd. - Mr Crecnslade thought that the salaries aiul allowances of the Judges ought to be considerably increased. Mr Baunie thought that an effort should be made to cxpiilo the business of the Court. Mr Poole thought the lands should ba thrown opwi as soon as possible. The Hon. Mr Carroll said he would' submit proposals to increase the salaries. The .Supreme Court system would riot be ■suitable, lu the past year tho Court settled 14,170 cases and earned £14,515 6d iu fees. The Judges had never been influenced by the Department. He was disposed to abolish the present appelate system which was cumbersome, allowed lor appeal on trivial grounds, mid wasted time. He- intended to transfer to presidents of "the Native Land JJoard sonu;. work at patent developing on the Court to lighten the la tier's labours. Provision would be made in the Public Works Estimates 1o tho extent of £28,000 for surveys and by January 1,500,C00 acres would be .available.

Mr Xguta and Mr Parata urged that, subsidies wuo neect-;sarv to enable the' Maori Councils to attend lo all llitir duties propurly. Tlic Hon. Mr Carroll expressed high appreciation. oi' the work done by tlio Councils. ' '

•The vote passed unaltered. . Justice Department, £140,057- —passed ■unaltered. The Home n.FC at 12.57 a.m.