PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 826, 28 September 1906, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, September 27. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 o'clock. The Hou. E. C. J. Stevens moved that the attention of the Government be drawn to the state of the land insurance fund, aa pointed uut by the Public Trust Oflice in tiie annual report reoently presented to Parliament, in that the Public Trustee bad stated that under the present methods the land fund, would be exhausted in a few years. The Attorney-General said the matter had not esoaped the attention of the Government. He had consulted the Colonial Treasurer on the subject, and a Bill was at present in the course of preparation to provide for the discontinuance of payments under the Loans to Local Bodies Act, and the replacement of moneys that bad been taken. The motion was carried. ■ The debate on Sir G. M. O'Rorke's motion for the restoration of provincialism was continued for half-an hour, and the motion was rejeoted uy 20 votes to 7. The # ire Brigades Bill was further considered in Committee. At. clause 11 dealing with the proportion of contribution, the Hon. S. T. George moved to fit the Government contribution at one-seventh of the estimated annual expenditure, but after discussion lie. did nob press the amendment. Clause 13, dealing with, contribution by insurance companies, was postponed. The remainder of the clauses passed unamended, and progress was reported. The Council adjourned at 5 o'clock. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 o'clock. The following Bills were read a first time:—Lincoln Road Board Empowering Bill, Argtcultural Implement Manufacture Importation and bale Act Extension Bil!, Tohunga Suppression Bill, Mining Act Amendment Bill. The Wellington Reclamation EmDowering Bill, Wellington Harbour Board Reclamation Bill, Masterton Trust Empowering Bill, Kensington Park Rate Exemption Bill, and Eketahuna Borough Bill were read a seuond time. The. Immigration Pestriction not Amendment Bill was reported from committee, and read a third time. On the Legislative Council Amendment Bill, in committee, the committee divided on Clause 3 (number of members) —ayes 27} noes 27. The ( Chairman gave his casting vote for I the ayes. The oiause was passed. Clause 4 (notification of vacancies) ; was passed. On Clause 5 (members of the General Assembly to fill ' vacancies) Mr jdJll moved to strike out the words "General Assembly." A division ensued on a motion that | the words proposed to be omitted stand part of the question—ayes 15, noes 50. The words werp struck out. Mr Ell mov9c! the substitution of the words "House of presentatives." The votitfg resulted —ayes 45, noes. 16. The words were inserted. Mr T. MpKenzie moved to add' "and all elected members of local bodies.'' The amendment was ruled out of order, as involving the appropriation of public monies. The House adjourned at 5.30 o'olook. EVENING SITTING. . The House met a£ 7.30 p.m. After further disoussion the Bill was thrown out by 38 noes to 22 ayes. Progress was reported. After discussion, Clause 1 of the Farriers Bill was passed by 40 votes to 23. At 10.20 p.m. a motion to report progress waa put and lost—ayes 15, noes 46. Clause 3 wns amended by striking out the words "forbidding the practice of farriers without registration." Provisions of a technical character were made in Clause 4. Cause 5 was amended by the reducing of the fine for a breach of the Aot to £3. Progress was reported. The House adjorunod at 11 o'olook.