THE APPROPRIATION BILL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXII, Issue 9565, 30 December 1909, Page 5

THE APPROPRIATION BILL.

BUSINESS CONCLUDED

Ou resuming at 7.30 o'clock the Appropriation Bill was introduced by Governor's Message.

Ou the secoud reading Mr Alleu asked for information re clauses 18 and 19, dealing with irrigation and supply, aud empowering the raising of £100,000 for promoting settlement in arid territory.

The Premier, in reply, said clause 19 repeated part of the clause iv the Appropriation Bill, aud was intended to provide for irrigation iv places where it is required. Clause 26 provided that the provisions of the Legis-

lature Act, 1908, should not apply to payments to members of the House, who sat ou the Timber Commission.

The House weut iuto committee ou the Bill. Mr Herries objected to clause 26, which ho held to be a bad precedent in that it granted power to the Ministry to remunerate members for services on commissions, without; limitatiou. It was a dangerous power to be vested in auy Ministry. Sir Joseph Ward said the Timber Commission was oue on which it was necessary to have members of Parliament. The whole report was a good one. Mr Massey said he would not oppose the clause, but auy such clause inserted in auy future Appropriation Bill would be resisted to the utmost. The Bill was put through all the stages aud passed.

Mr Hogau gave notice of motiou that on the next sitting day he would move that the House disagree with the ruiiug of the Speaker iv regard to the method adopted in connection with the £400 vote on the Supplementary Estimates. This concluded the business of the House. Sir Joseph Ward made the usual felicitous speech on the closing of the session. Mr Massey endorsed the remarks of the Premier. The Speaker returned thanks for the congratulations of the House, aud said he believed this was the first time he had not the pleasure of wishing members "A Merry Christmas" at the close of the session. Mr Wilford, Chairman of Committees, also returned thanks.