PARLIAMENTARY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14237, 1 July 1910, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY.

Per Press Association. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. WELLINGTON, June ». The Council met at 2.30 p.m. Mr Macdonald moved the Addresß-lB« Reply. The motion was seconded \if Mr Beehan. and spoken to by Mr MoCardle, all dwelling on the necessity ofroading the backblocks, and the settlement of land. At 5 p.m. the debate was adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 n.ni. ACCIDENT INSURANCE. A long discussion arose on the Premier moving that the report of tb« . Ace Went Insurance Company be laid on the table. Mr T. Tarter said thai the time had come when the Government should taks over the business of accident insurance as a State monopoly. Since the De- '.""■• partment had been instituted a saving - of £125,000 had been effected to the people by the reduction of premiums. Mr Hardy and Mr Wright opposed Mr Taylor's idea. Mr Massey said that a State monopoly was as likely to be mischievous as any other monopoly. The State Department had been run at a loss. The proposal that the Government should not lend money to people who did not insure in the State Department wa» monstrous. Other speakers having addressed the House. Sir J. G., Ward said that the Government had all along realised that""'*' there should be fell scope for private enterprise. The Government Life Department was not intended to driveother companies out of business, but to ensure reasonable rates of insurance. The country would never allow the Government Fire Department to go oit of business. Private companies re- , fused to take reinsurances from the. State Department, and if the State did not take reinsurances from other companies it would mean practically the deirch of the State Department. Referring to accident insurance, the Premier said there were great risks in making accident insurance a State monopoly, and the State Department could not now undertake the whole business. Some effort in this direction would he made this session in a legitimate way, ■: but the Government had to bear in mind the responsibilities connected wits the proposals made bv Mr Taylor. INTERCEPTING SUPPLY. An Imprest Supply Bill was brought down by Governor's Message. On the motion that the House go into Com- , mittee of Supply, Mr Mander brought . up the question of the Helensville northward railway route, and moved • that the House disapprove of the de> viation from the eastern route originally authorised. . . •;■-. Mr Pearce seconded the motion] and gave reasons for supporting the original route, and the demand for a oommis- ' sion of inquiry into the alternative routes._ T»:e House rose at- 5.30 p.m. Discussion continued on Mr er's amendment up to the supper adjournment. • i On a division the amendment mat » lost bv 40 to 24. COM3HTTEE OF SUPPLY. The Bouse went into Committee of Supply and passed a resolution pronrid* iiig a sum. not exceeding £713J3Q0 far the public servico fox the year witting 81st. March, I3IL. The Imprest Supply Bill was, ra*BL*- < first time and on the motion for th» second reading Mr Massey 'moved thai when returns are asked for tlv-v sberld be provided as eccu as .possible.- H» complained of delay in Uie rentier. Sir J. G. Ward said he would reply : to Mr Massey on the third reading. , ■> The amendment was lest' "bv 3j to ■ N 21. ' ■■-■"■■>