HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8156, 2 November 1904, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday^ November 2. MORNING SITTING. Thfl House met at 11 a.m. FIRST READINGS. The Kawhia. and Awakino Counties Amendment Bill (Sir Josei>h Ward) was read a first time. The Land! for Settlements Act Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor's message and read a first time. SELECT COMMITTEES. The Standing Orders Committee reported that it had no recommendation to' make on the petitions in favour of the proceedings of Select Committees of the House being open to the Press. QUESTIONS. In r-sply to- questions, Ministers stated that it was not the intention, of the Government to propose any .^alteration respecting " Hansard " ; that fche Government could not see its way to concede to Friendly Societies free out-patient treatment at Te Aroha, Rotorua and Hanmer; that it was not possible to introduce a general Haibour Board's Bill this session, but probably a consolidating measure would be introduced next session; that a comprehensive Bill dealing with the whole question of hospitals and charitable aid would be introduced next session. Replying to Mr Vile, the Hon C. H. Mills stated that district valuers had been cautioned not to accept any boom values, but to do their utmost to obtain the fair and equitable bedrock _ value of land and improvements,' so that .these may be used either for levying rates upon, or for.lending Advances to Settlers Office money upon. Sometimes objections reached the Department on the score that the improvements are valued too low, and at other times that they are valued too high, but the nature of the objection depended very largely upon whether the local body levied its; rates on unimproved value only or on improvements as well, and this was where fche klifficulty arose. Valuers^ouftF be again instructed to exercise every care fn placing on all. improvements their fair value, in accordance with' the terms of the Act. • .STOCK LOSSES. \ The Lands Committee reported on the petition of a number of pastoral leaseholders in Otago and Canterbury, praying for compensation for losses of stock through snowstorms. The committee reported that ithe concession applied for did not appgar to be so much a remission of rent as an extension of the term of leases and increased compensation for improvements at the end of the term. The committee was unable to recommend any form of relief beyond what might be allowed if the powers of Land Boards were extended. It recommended that- the Boards should be asked to formulate a scheme that would have the effect of giving them more power to deal with the land upon such terms as they might think advisable in the interests of the State and occupiers, but that such provision should be subject to the approval of the Minister of Lands. After a lengthy discussion the report was referred to the Government, and the House rose at 1 p.m.