HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17125, 29 October 1917, Page 5

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

(Per Pres3 Association.) WELLINGTON, October 27.

THE "WASHING-UP" BILL. The House resumed at 7.30. The Premier said it was impossible for him to review the wlnle of the 126 clauses in the Reserves and Other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies' Empowering (Washing-up) Bill. He would therefore adopt the usual course by formally moving the second reading, and <n Committee lie would afford all the information necessary. He moved the second readingMr. Anderson pictested against the manner in which druses were inserted in this Bill. All sor'j of subjects were dealt with, concerning whicfr the mem'>er for the district was never informed. No clause slaukl be included until the member for the district was satisfied it was rot calculated to do harm. He observed that several mat-* ters were being dealt witji in this public Bill which really should have been brought forward in the form of a private Bill, a proceeding greatly to be deprecated. * Mr. Ell contended that we were too careless in the matter of the preservation of our foreshore rights and. scenic reserves. He congratulated the Premier on his interest in the matter of scenic reserves, but a greit deal still remained to be done. In specific instances, whica, he quoted, it was most necessary that this should be done while the State had the power and finance to do it. Mr. Hornsby entered his emphatic protest -against the manner in which provisions which cyght to have occupied the serious attention of the House in the form of local and private Bill*, were being smuggled through in .this Bill. He drew pointed attention to clause 26, authorising the laying off of a street in the city of Auckland of a, less width than 40 feet, and declared that this was the surest way to create slums, of which there were too many m the Dominion already. He instanced other clauses to which he took exception, and severely handled clause 62, facilitating the construction of a second slip at Evans Bay, by the Wellington Patent Slip Coy. Surely, he said, the Patent Slip Company could have brought this business before the House in the form of a private Bill, when the House could be apprised of all the facts. The Bill would probably pass, but it would be on the principle of "you scratch my back and Fll scratch yours"—so that member^ interested would share in the good things provided in the measure.

The Premier said tie was quite prepared to <hbp the Bill if members did not like it.

Mr. Edward Newman (Chairman of the Lands Committee) said the Committee had carefully considered the clauses, and he justified several of those criticised by Mr Hornsby. Jf. there was anything improper in the Bill the blame must rest with the members who had pressed the Government to incluHe them.

Mr Massey, in reply, declared that there was nothing questionable in the Bill; in fact, like Caesar's wife, it was above suspicion, as was every other BUI he had had the haa»ur to introduce. Most of the clauses were prepared by departmental c Seers, and he knei> little of them personally. The Bill was read a second time ou the voice, and craered to be committed.

The Native Land Amendment and Native Land Claims Adjustment Bill (Native Washing-up Bill) was, on the motion of the Hon. Herries, ordered" to be committed.

On the motion of tihe Premier, Clauses 100 and -.3 and 116 were struck out of the Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill. New clauses were added: (1) Authorising the Auckland University College Council to borrow money for the erection or omprotements of building j (2) authorising the Hawera Borougn Council to transfer certain land to the Tananaki Education Board as a site for a technical high school. The Bill was reported with amendments, read a third time, and passed. The Native Land Amendment and Native Land Claims Adjustment Bill wiis passed with minor amendments moved by the Minister, who also moved a new clause validating the appoini>ments of commissions under the West Coast Settlement Reserve Act, which was agreed to. '

The Bill then passed its final stages. On the motion oi the Hon. Russeu an amendment amide in the Social Hygiene Bill by Ihe Legislative Councu was agreed to. The House rose at 11.50 till 2.30 tomorrow.