PARLIAMENTARY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14056, 13 November 1909, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOCSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ear ITeaa Association. WELLINGTON, Nov. \± The House met at 2.30 p.m. CLAIMS OF VETERAN'S. Mr ilcJJonaid asked ttte uuverument v/nat it intended to do m regard to recognising the claims ot old soldiers win cm were continually being made. It was 30 years since the Maori wars, but so far lio comprehensive scheme had "beeu formulated to deal witJi the matter. Mr Hemes urged the Government to announce its intentions as early as possible. The Hon. Mr Carroll said that the whole matter was at present being considered by the Government. Mr Massey and other members on both sides ot the House urged the Government to deal sympathetically with the claims of the Maori war veterans. SINKLXG FUND.

Mr Davey, chairman ot tne Petitions Committee, reported that it had no recommendation to make on the petition of the Dunedin City Council praying that section 25 of the Loans to Local Bodies Act, 1908,- be repealed.

The section provides that sinking funds must he invested in Government securities, even when there is no Government guarantee of tho loan, instead of being invested as formerly by the sinking fund commissioner. Mr Davey explained that tho committee considered the matter one of policy. He moved that the report lie on the table. Mr Sidey moved as an amendment that the report be referred to the Government for consideration. The amendment was supported by Mr Allen, Mr Glover, Mr Baume, Mr. Massey, and Mr Phillips, who held that local bodies had a right to control their own sinking funds. Mr McLaren, in supporting the amendment said that he was opposed to the policy of centralising power which was dangerous to democracy. The question involved in the amendment was one of local government. Mr K. McKenzie opposed the amendment The object aimed at in demanding a repeal of the clause was to enable boroughs to traffic m their OV Mr Laurenson denied that local bodies were the respositories of power as Mated by Mr McLaren. Mr Ell said that there was abundant evidence to show that local bodies were far more conservative than the Government, and. in many cases could not be trusted. ... Mr Gathrie supported tho amendment, and -Mr Duncan (Oamarn), «pP °On d tbe amedmenfc being put it was carried by 34 voteSvto 25 votes. NATPp) LANDS. The Native Land Bill was read a second time pro ' forma, and referred to the Native Land 9 committee. HOSPITALS BILL.

The House went into committee on the Hospitals and Charitable institutions Bill. On. clause 42> sub-clause 10, Mr Massey pointed out that the local authority* was authorised to raise" contributions under the Local Bodies' Loans Act instead of under the State Guarantee BilL The Hon. Mr I'owlds explained that this could be amended later on, in tne event of the State Guaranteed Advances Bfll being passed, this session. The fact that the Bill had not passed u:ls a reason why the measure should not be mentioned in the sub-clause. Mr Henries suggested the taking or the sub-clauses of clause 42 cue by one, which the Minister agreed to. Mr Rhodes moved to strike out miliflause 2 which provides for a board tasking an estimate of- its expenditure during April in each financial year, and to substitute an amendment to the effect that every old board shall he-

fore the 20th March, 1910, for the guidance of the newly elected body prepare au estimate of the- probable expenditure for the ensuing year, and every board beforo the same date in each succeeding year shall estimate its probable requirements for a similar period. After a discussion the amendment was lost on the voices. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr Fowlds in accordance with notice moved to add to sub-clause 1. clause -IT, the following—"The Governor may if he thinks fit, having regard both to population and to the rateable value of property in any such part of a hospital district, by an Order-in-Council in December in each year appoint such number of members lis he thinks fit, not exceeding three as representatives of that part of the district on the board." The motion was agreed to.

On clause 49 providing for .moneys belonging to a board being paid into the bank pending investment, Mr Witty moved to insert the words giving "the board power to lodge the money with some local authority authorised by statute to borrow money, otherwise than from a bank. After considerable discussion the amendment was defeated by 42 to 23. On the motion of Sir W. J. Steward it was decided to delete the words in class 52, sub-clause 1, providing that no money, land or property shall, without the consent of the Minister be accepted by a board in trust for theestablishment of any new institution. On clause 58 which provides that a board mav borrow on seculrity for building and other purposes, Mr Luke moved to add words giving the hoard power to borrow money by way ot special loan under the Loans to Local Bodies Act. . . The amendment was negatived by 37 to 36. ~..-,.<-.. i On the motion of Sir \V. J. Steward an amendment to borrow by way ot bank overdraft was agreed to. Other clauses were amended and tlie House rose.