PARLIAMENT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 24 October 1912, Page 8

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 23

Tho House met at 2.30

Tho Hon. Mr. Herdman presented a report from Mr Kettle, S.M., on. Pakatoa road >and Rotoroa Islands (Inebriates' Home). The report stated, inter alia, that every effort was made by the Salvation Army authorities to make the inebriates comfortable. They had expressed gratitude for the manner in which they had been treated. The homes had fully justified their existence. Mr Kettle suggested that the inmates might be let out on probation after a certain period of detention. He reported that the holding of political meetings and canvassing lor votes did not tend towards the promotion of discipline on the Islands. PUBLIC WORKS FUND.

Mr Myers asked the Minister of Finance whether it was a fact that £74,000 was to be raised for the Public Works Fund.

. The Hon. James Allen replied that the money had to bo raised.

MINISTER'S VISIT TO ENGLAND

Mr Russell asked the> Premier whether it was his intention to send the Minister of Finance to England. Mr Massey replied that the Government did intend to follow that course, and that Mr Allen would go Home ss soon as possible after tho session endod.

Mr My«rs asked if Mr Allen would officially attend the sittings of tho I m - perial Defence Committee!"

Mr Massey replied that the matter had not been considered.

NO ANSWER FOR MR. BROWN

Replying to Mr Brown, the Premier stated that he did not intend to reply to the notice of motion standing in Mr Brown's name censuring the 'Government for the discontinuation of the cooperative railway works, unless he had tho written authority of the leader of the, Opposition. .

Mr Brown said that was unfair to him, as the Opposition had no leader APPRECIATION. "

The House passed <a resolution of appreciation of the services rendered by the late Mr F. S. Weston. of New Plymouth.

VARIOUS QUESTIONS. Ministers, replying to various questions, said:

A specific enquiry will bo made into the question of impersonation and transfer of immigrants certified in Britain.

The present arrangements in regard to the Government grading of grain are not satisfactory, and the "Chambers of Commerce in grain exporting districts have been asked for their views on ohu subject. On receipt of their replies the whole matter will receive careful attention.

The High Commissioner has been •instructed to invite applications in the United Kingdom for the position of <ren-ei-al manager of railways. Should applications be received from countries outside Great Britain, they will be forwarded to the Gavernment"'for consideration. It is intended to confer the appointment on the most suitable applicant, who must, however, have had practical railway experience. An endeavour" will bo made to give effect to Mr Ell's suggestion for the installation of slot telephones at all country post offices whero the toll is M, or Is, telephones to be switched °"rri il countr .V offices are closed. Hie House ■adjourned. Tho Houso resumed at 7-30 p m. Iho Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Amendment Bill was reported unamended trom Committee.

THE LAND BILL lhe House went into Committee on tho La ml Bill.

At clause 3, dealing with town planning, Mr. Myers advised bringing a town-planning expert from England, even if tho appointment were only temporary.

Tho Minister said the Bill was not a town-planning measure. They were simply making an experiment with the subiect.

Dr. Newman moved an amendment to tho effect that all righte-of-wny shall be 66ft. wide.

Tho Premier declined to accent tho amendment on tho ground that the adoption of such a motion would mean placing difficulties in the way of those who desired to cut up their land. Tho amendment was" lost by 48 to 19, and tho clause was passed. Later on. Mr. "Davey urged that something should be done to prevent people with capital from going into a land ballot and thereby preventing poor opponents from getting on to the land. Jho' Premier said he had svmnathy with the proposal, and if possible*a regulation would bo drafted "dealing with the subject. Tho intention was, he said, m answer to Mr. Forbes, that landless applicants and those..who had been for two years unsuccessful at ballots, had to bo first satisfied.

Mr. M^colm urged that a. man \vho had sold his Crown lease should never bo again allowed to take part in a land ballot. Mr. Malcolm suggested that instead of a ballot .land should he thrown open for selection at market value.. Mr. Witty hoped no such suggestion ivo>ild ever bo entertained.

The clause giving preference to landless applicants was passed unamended. At clause 8, providing: that the Minister may po.stna.no payment of rent; hv a Crown tenant when relief is deemed neeo>sary on account of natural .cruises or otherwise, tho Premier explained th.-it tho object of. the clause Was that every oaso for remission should be considered on its merits.

Mr. R. W. Smith moved to amend the olnuso so as to provide that the amount of rent proposed shall not excewl four yo-y.tv,' rent, instead of three years, as proposed in the Rill.

Mr. Massey submitted that the no^tnorr.nif>r>+. to thrn^ venrs. was as much as the State could afford.

After midniebt tho amendment was lost, on tho voices.

At <-lan.se 9. dealing with tho ox-change of national endowment lands for other areas of equal value, Mr. Russell moved that, siioh oxr-hn*iro«: be surne-t to refommendi+ion by tho Land Pnrch;».«:o Board. Thf>re was nothing in tho clause an to the limitation of the extent of endowment land to bo exchnng-

Thn Minister replied flint ihn rirnt^o wo.s to aflFcct. otilv smnll r.r^n*. of tri^o, four or fivo nr-res. ~Ho hnd him«olf intended to add snrh a provision ?.s Mr. R'i'-011. suggested.

Tho clause passed with Mr. Russell's amendment.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCTL

The Council met -at 2.30. The Auckland .Harbour Board Bill passed its final stages unamended. Tho Taicri Land Drainage Bill was reported with amendments. The Public Service Bill was finally ;io csod. The Council rose.