HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wanganui Chronicle, 25 July 1901, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BILL.

Mr McNab moved the second reading of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand Bill, to make certain provisions in reference to the Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland and the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand respectively, and to define their rights in respect of the property of such churches. He explained that the Bill was rendered necessary. by the fact that the Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland had almost unanimously decided to join hands with the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. One of the terms of the union was that the property held by the former should still remain under the trust under which it was held at present. It was absolutely necessary that the Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland should continue on its original basis and carry out these trusts, notwithstanding the union, and this Bill was to give effect to that.

Mr Jas. Allen hoped the member 'in chrage of the Bill would sasure the House that ib would not affect ■ the trusts froaj which the three professional chairs in the Otago University were filled. Very con siderahle iharm would result to higher edu cation in Otago if these trusts were inter fered with

ierea witn. .. Mr Napier pointed out that a- large number of trusts had been diverted from their original purpose, and he hoped the trusts affected by this' Bill would be properly carried out. He thought it would be a good thing if the Government would institute some inquiry into all the early trusts granted by the Crown, Mr Seddon asked if there was any intention to set aside the judgment of the Appeal Court in respect to the land given by Maoris to religious denominations. Mr 'MoNab, in replying, said no land was included in this Bill which had not been sold by*the N,ew Zealand Land Company to the orignal association formed in Scotland to form a settlement in the Southern part of New Zealand. The Bill did not affect the question raised by Mr Jas. Allen. With regard: to what Mr Napier had- said1, he (Mr McNab) could say that the Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland would be perfectly willing to have the fullest inquiry made into the management and condition of its trusts. These trusts were' bought by the Church itself, and were therefore, different from "■other trusts. The second reading was agreed to on the voices. AFFAIRS IN FIJI. In laying on the table a copy of Governor O'Brien's recent speech and translation of the ordinance lately passed by the Legislative Council of Fiji, Mr Seddon said the latter was aimed at Australia and New Zealand, and was meant to stop any change in the form of Government. He desired to place before members'all available information on this question before he brought on the motion of which he had given notice. The interests of Fiji were inseparably bound up with those of New Zealand, and it lay in the power of New Zealand to make Fiji a. success or otherwise. QUESTIONS ANSWERED. In reply to questions, Sir Joseph Ward said That the Government were considering the question of further improving the Sanatorium at Rotorua, but they had no intention at present of acquiring all the freehold rights to the Hot Springs in the Hot Lakes District. That legislation would be introduced this session to prevent the natural beauties and scenery of the country being defaced by advertisements of quack medicines and other-nauseous productions. That all railway workmen of over 12 months' service would be entitled to vote on the question of the service coining under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. Circulars on this question had already been sent out. That if the minimum wage in the railway service was fixed at 8s a day it would mean an additional outlay of £52,000 per annum.

That the Public Health Department had under serious consideration the question of establishing homes for incurables, and something would be done probably in the direction of attaching an additional ward to the principal hospitals in the colony to accommodate incurable cases.

That there was no intention to alter the scale of railway fares by reducing return fares and increasing" single fares. In reply to questions, the Hon. HallJones stated

That it was hoped this summer to have trains running over the Makohine Viaduct as far as Mangaweka. That the necessity for training the youth of the colony in seamanship w;is recognised, but the equipment of a training ship would cost a large sum of money. The House rose at 5.30. The House resumed at 7.30. LAND FOR SETTLEMENT.

The Land for Settlements Act Amendment Bill was further considered in committee. The question under discussion was the following new clause, proposed by Captain Russell: "Where the owner of land has children the areas limited by subsections 2 and 3 of section 12 of 'The Land for Settlements Consolidation Act, 1900,' bo increased follows, that is to say, of first-class land an additional area of 500 acres for each such child, of second-class land an additional area of 1000 acres for each such child; and of pastoral land an additional area of 2000 acres for each such child." This proposal was strongly opposed by the Premier, who declared it would be absolutely destructive of the lands for settlement policy. Mr Pirani said he saw no reason why there should be so much fuss aout this new clause. Landowners already had the same power of sub-division as the clause proposed to give them, provided of course that they had not received notice to acquire from the Government. Mr A. L. D. Frasev suggested tlio fol-

lowing addition to Cap_tain • Russell's clause: "Provided (1) thalT no such child shall be the owner of land elsewhere, and (2) that such areas so excluded shall ad"join each other." He believed that with, the addition the new clause would raise the Land for Settlements Act in the estimation of the people of the colony. Captain Russell accepted this addition.