NOTES FROM THE HOUSE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 43, 25 October 1900, Page 3

NOTES FROM THE HOUSE.

PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

(From our special correspondent.) The debate on the Crown Tenants' Rebate of Rent Bill was resumed on Monday and carried on with vigor for some time. The Minister for Lands, in replying to the opponents of the measure, said they were so miserably seltiah that they could not see the advantage that would accrue to settlement by a reduction in rent and by the reaction in cities. He urged the House to go into committee on the Bill and endeavor to make a good Bill of it. The second reading was carried by 39 to 20. In the evening the Premier moved to recommit the Land for Settlements Consolidation Bill for the purpose of inserting a clause similar to the one proposed to be inserted in the Crown Tenants' Rent Rebate Bill vesting in land boards discretion to make a rebate of rent. The motion was carried on the voices, and consideration of the measure in committee took up the remainder of the sitting. On Tuesday Mr.iStevens brought down the report of the North Island Main Trunk Railway Committee, who expressed themselves in favor of the central route, for the following reasons : — The distance was shorter, the grades were easier, the line would pass nearly through the centre of the island, and the country was good on both sides for nearly the whole distance. Later on it was decided by 35 voteß to 27 to disagree with the amendment made by the Council in the Private Industrial School* Inspection Bill whereby all Government grants would cease at the end of 12 months, and managers were appointed to confer with representatives of the Upper House in the matter. In the evening amendments were brought down by the Governor's message reducing the number of additional members of the House under the Representation Bill from 10 to six. Mr. Seddon explained that originally he proposed 10 on the assumption that the population of the Colony had increased to 800,000, but he found from a memo by the registrar that the population was only 763,000. The debate on the Representation Bill took place on Wednesday afternoon. The Premier explained that when he proposed to make the increase in the number of members ten, instead of six as originally proposed, he was under a misapprehension as to the population of the Colony. By making the increase six it brought the quota to about the same number as at present — namely, 10,000 — and made the total number of the House 80. After a short discussion the amendments were agreed to. The Manawatu Railway Purchasing Bill was taken in committee and passed. The House went into committee on the Public Revenues Bill, a measure introduced for the purpose of simplifying matters between the Treasurer and the Audit Department, and also for extending the amount of the unauthorised expenditure from £100 000 to £150.000. The measure was under discussion until the early hours of Thursday morning, when it was reported and read a third time. On Wednesday the Council decided not to insist on the amendment to the Private Industrial Schools Inspection Bill, and consequently these institutions will get grants as heretofore, subject, however, to the conditions contained in the measure. On Thursday afternoon several measures were advanced stages. In the evening Mr. Seddon moved that a oommittee be set up to inquire into the question of federating with the Commonwealth of Australia. He said he did not intend to enter into a discussion of federation, but merely wished to gain information for the guidance of the House. He could express an opinion on the subject, but would prefer to have more information before doing so to guide him in a matter of such serious moment to the Colony. So many subjects required to be gone into fully before committing himself for or against that it was better to refrain at present. Gaptain Russell agreed to the motion and terms in which it was couched. The question of federation affected the Colony so much that it was necessary to be careful in coming to a decision in the matter. The question of alien labor was one of the most important matters connected with the subject. He believed that such labor would some time dominate Northern Australia. He hoped the appointment of commissioners would be such as would command the confidence of the Colony. The motion was agreed to. Mr Seddon, speaking on the report of the Joint Defenoe Committee, said the time was opportune for adopting a complete scheme. Recent events had aroused a spirit of Imperialism, and now ftiat the Colony had been aroused to its state of insecurity, the occasion was a favorable one for carrying out any scheme of defence. Harbor defences were necessary in the main ports, and the necessary military forceß would have to be raised to support them. With such a people as we had in this Colony there was no necessity for a stand* ing army. The experience cf our men in South Africa showed how quickly the men of the Colony could adapt themselves to military work. Although at its inception the scheme would entail large expenditure, it would gradually decrease, and the result would be that we would have a large reserve force of drilled men in case of necessity. He stated that harbor defence, manufacture of ammunition, and acquisition of field batteries were proposed. As to the staff, it was thought that it could be obtained from amongst the contingent* who had served in South Africa. The necessity for organisation and equipment in case of emergency was pointed out in the formation of the Imperial reserve force. He believed the Colony would have the assistance of the Imperial authorities. Rifle clubs and cadet corps would be encouraged. There was now a necessity for

strengthening the Australian squadron, and he hoped representations on that subject would be successful. The proposals were moderate, and he hoped the report would be adopted. The motion for the adoption of the report was carried. When the House met on Friday the Premier read a cable from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the effect that he could not at present agree to the annexation of Fiji by New Zealand. Mr. Seddon said that the people of Fiji were in as bad a position as the Uitlanders in the Transv»ai, inasmuch as while lL« people were taxed to the extent of £30 a head, they had no voice in the Government of the colony. He said, geographically uuJ naturally, Fiji ought to form part of New Zealand. Suva was only 1400 miles from Auckland, the nearest points of the two islands being only 900 miles apart. A great majority of the people in the Fiji came from New Zealand, and it was the duty of this Colony to assist them as much as possible in obtaining closer connection with this Colony. As to the colored labor difficulty, that could easily be adjusted to their mutual satisfaction. The people of Fiji wished for federation with this Colony. The imports from Fiji to this Colony amounted to £281, 00U, while the exportß amounted to only £70,000. He moved the resolution of which he had given notice in favor of Fiji being federated with this Colony. After an animated discussion the motion was carried. In the evening several local Bills were piloted safely to port, and the Supplementary Estimates were introduced, and after a eharp discussion passed. The House adjourned at half past eight on Saturday morning, and resumed business again an hour later. The Premier informed members that the Bank of New Zealand had reduced its indebtedness to the Colony by the payment of half a million in hard caeh. The following were among the items in the Supplementary Estimates :— The Speaker, £200 additional (making £800 a year) ; Chairman of Committees, £200 additional (making £600 a year) ; Sessional allowances to members of both Houses, £40 each in excess of the amount provided. The House sat until the early hours of Sunday morning when the bnsiness of the session was brought to a close by the Premier complimenting the Speaker, who in turn complimented the members, and then the curtain waa dropped.