PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 5668, 23 July 1914, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph.—Fress Association. Wellington, Wednesday. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. COUNCIL REFORM. Hon. J. McGregor resumed the debate on the Legislative Council Bill. He said he was still of opinion that the Council should be made elective. Impartiality was not possible in the case of nomination, as the men appointed were necessarily party men. Electhn by the people was the only proper method of reform. Hon. W. C. P. Carncross recognised that the Bill was to be passed, and he proposed to make a few "dying remarks" upon the measure. He admitted that the appointments made by the Liberals were distinctly party, but that was only a case of history repeating itself. In the past measure after measure had been turned down, until the Liberal Government made appointments to enable its legislation to be carried through. Speaking as one who had had long experience in both Chambers of the Legislature, he said, in all sincerity, that although he had much to thank the people for, there should be one House entirely free from the terrible pressure which was brought to bear upon the members of another place. He believed that the Government was sincere in wishing to pass the measure, but it was idle to think that an elective system would prevent party feeling in the Council, and it was in the best interests of the country to have one chamber in the Legislature free from party.

Hon. 0. Samuel said there was nothing to ahange his opinion with regard to the Bill, but it would be idle for him to utter words he had uttered in the past. The majority which in the past brought them success had gone, and the new appointments made it useless to employ idle resistance. He could never vote for the Bill, but he recognised the concessions made to those in opposition. Hon. A. T. Maginnity said he came to the Council with no speciiic instructions from the Government. He was sent to the Council as an extreme Liberal, and as a Liberal he supported the elective system. The whole system of government in New Zealand was representation -by the ponular vote. In county councils, school committees, and all other public institutions the popular vote prevailed, and they had to consider the feeling of the people, and deal with the Bill from a democratic standpoint. The Bill carried out the Liberal creed, and gave the people the same opportunity for the election of Legislative Councillors as for members of the House of Representatives. The debate was continued by Hons. C. H. Mills, R. Moore, J. BairandG. Jones, all of whom, except the last-named, supported the measure. The Council adjourned at 10.15 p.m. • HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. NEW BILLS. Mr McComba gave notice of his intention to introduce the Legislature Amendment and the Industrial Unions and Trade Unions Bill. The Dunedin City Council Empowering Bill was introduceed by Mr Staiham, and read a first time. Hon. J. Allen introduced the New Zealand Loans Amendment Bill, which was read a first time. LICENSING BILL.

Mr Payne gave notice that when the Licensing Amendment Bill was in committee he would move an amendment providing for compulsory voting, and reducing the required majority from 55 to 51 per cent. QUESTIONS.

The remainder of the afternoon sitting was taken up by members in discussing replies given to questions by Ministers, and local grievances were freely aired. In answer to questions, Ministers said:

There is nothing to prevent any industrial unionists or trade unionists, who desire to use their funds for political or other similar objects, from doing so, by registering their societies fur the purpose under the Incorporated Societies Act. The Government would consider the advisability of introducing into the Licensing Amendment Bill amendments (a) enabling a poll to be taken in any Maori district in which the question of no supply to Maoris has been decided in the affirmative, and (b) throwing the cost of any such poll on the Consolidated Fund and not on the Maori Council of the district.

In the event of national prohibition being carried, it will be the duty of the Government to submit proposals with the object of miking up any deficiency in the revenue re suiting therefrom.

The Minister of Defence had no reason to think there is any grave

unrest as regards a territorial being required to serve in any part of the Dominion; on the contrary, he had every reason to believe that everything is proceeding most satisfactorily.

Sir lan Hamilton's recommendations are being carried out, and full particulars in connection therewith are contained in the annual report by the general officer commanding, which will be presented to Parliament shortly.

Railway carriages are regularly cleaned and scrubbed with disinfectants.

The Government is considering the advisability of erecting houses for the members of the police force on departmental sites now lving idle. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. IMPROVED LANDS BILL.

Mr McCalluia moved the second reading of the Railway Improved Lands Bill, contending that large sums had been lost to the State because in the jiast no provision had been made to secure the added value given to land by railway eonslruetion. The railways at present authorised and building would cost £21,000,000. He suggested that a commission should decide as to which of these lines would pay best, and that the added value given to the land should go into the coders of the State.

Mr Pearce opposed the Bill, and said he would divide the House

against it. The debate proceeded on academic lines until 11.2:1, when it was adjourned, on the motion of Hon. James Allen, and the House rose.