PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8234, 12 September 1906, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. By Telegraph-—Press Association. WELLINGTON, Sept. 11. The House met at 2,30 o'clock. The following Bills were read a first time:—Waimate Agricultural Reserves Bill, Limitation of TotaHsator Bill, Hokitika Harbour Board Amendment Bill. The Minister for Lands laid on the table a return showing the capital and the unimproved values of all estates in the colony over £50,000 unimproved value, Mr W. Baume said there was no means of discriminating between provincial districts, and members would be unable to discuss the mattor with their constituents. Mr Lewis urged tbo inclusion of the number of beneficiaries in each estate. Mr Massey moved an amondmeut for the addition of names of all owners without whom the return would be useless. The Premier opooEed the amendment as uuiiecessary—at all events at the present stage—and tending to degrade the dificussioa on the land question into provincialism. He asked the [louse to wait for the Land Bill. Mr Allen (Bruce) urged that in a similar return three years ago the na ies were given. If waiting for the Land Bill mattered, why not postpone the return? 'lhe Hon. Mr McNab explained chat the return was made up for his own information at his request by the Valuer-Guneral's Department, and that he had ordered the omission of the names so that he might deal with the subject impersonally. Mr Laurenson wanted the land question discussed from the national, and not the provincial point of view.

A number of other members spoke. The House divided (Ayeu 19, noes 47), and the words were not added. The following is the division list:— For ( the amendment (19): Messrs Aifcken, J. Allen, Baunie, Bollard, Fisher, A. L. D. Fraser, W. Eraser, Hardy, Herries, Kirktiride, Lethfcridge, Lswis, Malcolm, Mander, Massey, Poole, Reminglon, Rhodes, Wiford. Againac (47): Messrs E. G. Allen, Arnold, Barber, Barclay, Bennett, Buddo, Carroll, Oolvin, Dillon, Duncan, Field, Flatman, Fowlde, Gray, Greenslade, Hall, Hall - Jones, Hanan, Heke, Hogan, Hogg,. Hornsby, Hoaston, Izard, Jennings, Kidd, Laurenson, MoGowan, R. McKenzie, McLachlan, McNab, Macpherson, Millar, Mills, Ngata, Parata, Poland, Ross, Sidey, Smith, Stallworthy, Stevens, Tanner, Thomson, Ward, Witty, Wood.

PAYMENT OF JURORS BILL. Clauses 1 and 2 of the Payment of Jurors Bill rassed unaltered. Clause 3 was amended as to the payment to be made by the party applying from £6 to £4 and from £3 to £1 10s, and the provision was made for a jury of four. The rest of the clauses passed unaltered. STAMP ACT AMENDMENT BiLL. In committee, Mr Baume suggested the reference of the Bill to a committee as promised on a former occasion by the Minister in charge. YVithout such reference the Bill woud never be understood. Mr llanan and Mr Field protested against the Bill The Minister of Justice denied that the Bill touches small sales, and pointed otit that the clause was aimed at a certain class of share transaction, He did not qbject to a reference to a committee, but he wanted reasonable discussion. The Hon. Mr Carrolll explained that he had been prevented by the lawyer at the outset frum announcing Iris intention, whioh ia to redeem bis promise to refer the Bill to a Select Committee. He had found on reflection that a fresh Committee would have to be selected representing the Government, the lawyers and the commercial interest, as best calculated to improve the measure. He would take time to select the committee, and to obtain time for the purpose, moved to report progiess, and ask leave to sit again. The motion waß carried. HABITUAL CRIMINALS BILL. In Committee on the motion of the Minister of Justice, in ulause 2, giving the judge the power to declare an offeuder a habitual criminal an alteration was made applying the power to groups of offenues instead of single offences. A similar alteration was made in clausa 3. The Bill 'was passed with slight alteration. Tho Juvenile Offenders Bill was read a third time. GOVERNMENT ADVANCES TO SETTLERS BILL. The Premier moved the second reading, explaining the amendments proposed in the existing law; the chief of whioh are the provision to raise a sum not exceeding one and ahalf millions eaoh year (the Minister remarking that for a year to come no loan would be required), the in orßase of the lending basis in leasehold from one-half to three-fifths, the invesment of the reserve fund, dates of interest, payments and simplification of acoounts. Another alteration proposed was the straightening out of the annual difficulties of the audit. Mr Massey gave the Bill a general support, and expressed approval of the provision with regard to the annual audits. He thought a clause ought to be added for helping workmen who have sections to build homes oo easy terms. The debate was adjourned. t The House adjourned at 11.30 p.m.