PARLIAMENT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12550, 13 July 1905, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSH OF REPRESENTATIVES

Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, July 12. After the Telegraph Office closed, and after further debate on the Old Age Pensions Bill, Mr. Taylor's amendment was negatived by 46 to 26, and tho second reading; was carried by 59 to 10. Tho Houso rose at 3.10 a.m. Following is the division list for Mr. Taylor's amendment: —For (26) —Aitken, Alison, Allen, J. Barber, Bedford, Buchanan, Duthie, Ell, Fisher, Fowlds, Harding, Hawkins, Herdman, Herries, Kirkbridge, Lang, Laurenson, Lethbridge, Mander, Massey, T. Mackenzie, Moss, Rhodes, Taylor, J. W. Thomson, and Vile. Against the amendment (44) —E. G. Allen, Arnold, Baume, Bennet, Buddo, Carroll, Colvm, Davey, Duncan, Field, Flatman, A. L. D. Fraser, Graham, Hall, Hall-Jones, Hunan, Hardy, Heke, Hogg, Houston, Jennigs, Kidd, Lawry, Lewis, McGowan, Major, R. McKenzie, McLachlan, McNab, Mills, Parata, Pere, Reid, Remington, Rutherford, Seddon, Sidey, Steward, Symes, Tanner, J. C. Thomson, Ward, Wilford, Willis, Witty, and Wood. Pairs—For the amendment. Bollard; against the amendment, Millar.

WELLINGTON, July 12. The House met at 2.30. FIRST READINGS. The following Bills were~read a first [ time:—Nelson Harbour Bill (Graham), Lyttelton Harbour Bill (Laurenson), | Australian and New Zealand Naval Deiencj Bill (tho Premier). THE LAND COMMISSION. Mi". Massey asked when the Land Commission report would be laid on the table of the House. Tho Minister of Lands said it was not yet received from tho Governor. Mr. Massey said the position was exceedingly awkward, as the most important points were public property at the present time. Mr. Seddon said only one copy of the report had been supplied to the Governor, and it would take a day 'and a half to typewrite it. He would have a typewritten copy made to-morrow, and the report would be laid on the table oa Friday. So far as the Government was concerned, they had not given the Press or persons any information as to the report. QUESTIONS ANSWERED. Ministers, in reply to questions, statj cd— ' That a property had been acquired at Nelson for the training and care of defective children, and would be open as.soon as possible. Meanwhile a selection of inmates is being niaaeT That the question of the appointment ol an Under-Secretary of Defence had not yet been considered. The appointment might not be necessary. That tho Premier did not cause a report of his birthday speech to f& sent to a newspaper at Christ church' at the public expense. That the Teachers' Superannuation Bill will probably be introduced next week. That favourable consideration will be made to the request from the staffs of evening newspapers for weekly; br'v fortnightly half-holidays, if it is found the concession flivn be made without too great disturbance of business. ! That a proposal in inspect to natural motive power will be submitted during the session j and when the installation i takes place the same will probably be applied to Government workshops throughout tho colony. That there is no reason why, free railway passes should be issued to school teachers during holidays. That the question of making provision for exempting Agricultural and Pastoral Society grounds from payment of rates is under the consideration of the Government. That the question of determining the size of sacks of wheat and other cereals to be carried by the railways will be referred to a Parliamentaiy Committee. That there is no necessity to set up a Royal Commission to examine and report on asylum inmates, and the number of patients that could safely be released, as the Minister and officers have carefully inquired into the whole question, arid the Department is giviug the matters referred to consideration. That tha extension of the system of providing accommodation apart from ordinary asylums for treating insanity in its earlier stages is under Vconsidersfcfon. That advantage is being taken of increased accommodation tat the mental hospitals to improve the classification of patients, and steps are being taken to provide suitable buildings for new patients. That a proposal will be submitted to enable work to be further extended at both ends of the open sections of the North Island Main Trunk line, and arrangements are being made to permit of heavier work some distance beyond that now in progress being put in hand during the ensuing summer. It is hoped the work will proceed uninterruptedly to completion. That the Government is indisposed to impose a duty upon foreign coal, as cheap coal is an important factor in the development of our industry. That the question of placing a sum on the Estimates to encourage a milking competition with a view to finding the best milking strain of cattle will receive consideration. That the Government does not intend making an amendment to the law so that settlers by making double improvements may be exempt from the residential clause of tho Land Act. That the Government does not intend to deal with the question of im-, port duty on flour and breadstuffs. The remainder of the afternoon sitting was occupied Jn discussing Minis-*' ters' replies, upon the usual motion for adjournment. The House rose at 5.30. Tho Houso resumed at 7.30. Mr. Laurenson's Divorce Act Amendment Bill was reported from committee. : Mr. Baume moved its committal with the object of striking out a clause amending the principal Act in the direction of making seven years' desertion instead.of five years' desertion, a ground foi 1 divorce. After considerable discussion, Mr. Baumo's motion was lost by 42 to 17, and tha amendments made in committee on the Bill were agreed to -yon the voices. Tho third reading was carried by 47 to 11, and the Bill passed. Mr. Lewis moved the second reading of the Motor Registration Bill, the registration of motors, he said, was more necessary than the registration of private vehicles, because they were more fruitful of danger. After a ' brief debate, the second reading was agreed to on the voices. Mr. T. E. Taylor moved the second reading of the Factories Act, 1901, Amendment Bill, which provides that every person of the age of 20 years and over employed in a factory in any capacity shall not receive a wage less than 17s. per week.