HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6596, 21 September 1899, Page 4

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

." Wednesday, Sept. 20. AFTERNOON SITTING. The Honse met at 2.30 p.m. LAND FOP, SETTLEMENTS. An amendment to the Land for Settle- : ments Act was introduced by. Governor's message, extending the currency of debentures to forty years. In committee on ihe message Mr J. Allen deprecated extending the currency! of the debentures, a.s being one of the greatest objections to the colony federating with Australia. ' Mr Hemes and -Mr Montgomery con- ' demned a currency of forty years for debentures. Apparently a higher price was obtained for loans, but the higher rate of interest more than nullified that apparent advantage. Mr Taylor said that all the tendency of the time was in the direction of a reduced rata of interest for money, therefore he condemned long-dated debentures. He did not think, however, tfcat the matter of 16ans would affect the position of the colony with respect to Federation, as it was optional for the Commonwealth to take over the loans of States. The amendments were agreed to and re- < ported. VALUATION OF LAND. A Bill to amend the Government Valuation of Land Act was introduced by Governor's message and read a first time. PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARIAN. - The^ Joint Library Committee reported that having again considered the question of the appointment of a parliamentary libra- . rdan, it adhered to its former recommendaItion that applications should be called for in England. Mr Morrison thought that it was time that the House asserted itself in the matter. The situation had been referred back to the committee, after full discussion by the House, | with a recommendation that applications should be called for in the colony. He moved an amendment — " That the House recommends the Government to call for applications within the colony." Mr Pirani moved the adjournment of the debate, which was lost on the voices. Mr Hogg said that he thought that the committee was not in harmony with the sentiments of the majority of the House and therefore he considered that it ought to re sign. There wa3 plenty of talent in the colony qualified to take the position efficiently, and he thought that* young New Zealand could offer a field competent for selection. Mr M'Nab condemned the decision of the committee, and said that he was more firmly convinced than ever tliat an efficient selection could be made in the colony. -ill- Montgomery held that the committee's recommendation did not debar New Zealanders making application for the position. Mr Guinness opposed the committee.s recommendation. Messrs Meredith, Crowther, Millar. Tanner, Flatman, Hemes, Brown and E. G. ■Allen continued the debate. On being put, the amendment that applications should be called for the position within the colony was carried by 41 to 16. Mr Montgomery moved a further amendment — "That the library staff is sufficient for the present." The Premier opposed the amendment, ■which he characterised as nonsensical. He stated that the condition of the library was disgraceful, and that a change in the management must take place. The Hon W. Rclleston contended that an entire reorganisation of the library staff was necessary. The new building was an expensive one to work, and would require an additional appointment to the staff, and until that v/as done the administration would . not be satisfactory. The debate occupied nearly the whole of the afternoon, and was interupted by the 6.30 p.m. adjournment.