LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11746, 24 September 1902, Page 5

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, September 23,

The Council met at 2.30.

The Council decided to disagree with tre. amendments made by the House in the New: Zealand University Act Amendment and Land Transfer Act Amedment Bills*, and appointed managers to confer upon the subject. The amendments made by the House in the Manual and Technical Instruction Act Amendment Bill were agreed to.

The Stamp Act Amendment* Bill, Electoral Bill, and Opium' Prohibiton Act Amendment Bill were x'ead a tthird time and passed. The Old Age Pensions Act Amendment Bill was committed.

At clause 8 the Minister moved an amendment to provide that before a person can convey or transfer the property on which he resides, not exceeding £300 in value, to the Public Trustee he must have been the owner of it during ten years pre ; > ceding the application. This1 was agreed to, and the Billi was reported as amended.

The Tawangai Educational Endowment Reserves Bill was read a second time.

The Motor Cars Regulation Bill was committed.

At clause 3 the Hon. Mr Jenkinsoiy moved to stoike out the ipjrovision giving the local authority power to regulate the rate of speed., with a view to vesting in the Governor-in-Council poAver to make regulations to that effect.

This was lost by 18 to 8. and the Bill, was reported without amendment, read a third time, and passed.

The Hon. W. C. Walker resumed the debate on the question that the attention of the Government should be drawn to the system atl present adopted by accident insurance offices in relation to the insurance of mortgagees against the risk of loss) through accident under the Workers' Compensation for Accidents Act. He thought the responsibility of a mortgagee under the Act was very small, and quoted rates of insurance in support of that statement.

The Hon. Mr McLean said lie did not object to the rates charged, but to the fact that a mortgagee was compelled to insure for the whole amount of his mortgage.

The Hon. Mr Lee-Smith considered the system grossly unfair.

The Hon. Mr Pitt saw no reason for legislation on the subject. The system was merely meant to provide against loss in the realisation of security.

The motion was agreed to, and the Coun cil rose at 4.45.