PARLIAMENTARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2224, 30 October 1907, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tho Council mot at 2.30 p.m. EIRE BRIGADES BILL. Tho Eire Brigades Bill was committed. Clause 5 was amended in tho direction of making it compulsory lor olio-fourth of tlio ratepayers in any borough to record thoir votes boloro a poll on a proposal to becomo a Eiro District shall bo valid. Tho remaining clauses were passed in tho form amended by tho Statutes Revision Committee. The Bill was read a third timo and passod LAND LAWS AMENDMENT.

Tho Attornoy-Gonoral moved tho socond reading of tho Land Laws Amendment Bill. Ho said tho history of our land legislation had been largely a history of failure and mistake. Ho spoke of great obstacles which the land reformers had to overcome, such as organisation of the landed class and other interests. Tho lato Mr. Rolloston had boon defeated by elements which tho Government found itself in conflict with to-day. Tho present Government had accomplished moro in the way of land legislation than any that had precedod it. Regarding tho allegation of socialism levelled at'the Ministry, lie said that in the proper acceptation of tho term ho was a socialist, and he gloried in it. AVo wore not going to have revolutionary socialism in this country; we would have measures embodying progressive Liberalism or ' whatever else it might bo called. AA o had socialism in vogue. AV.liat did taking bind by compulsory purchaso from the large landowners for tho benefit of tlio people amount to,? No ono need be ashamed of tlio term, dll© Bill was not) an attack on the freehold. The statement was preposterous Tho Bill before tho Council aimed at a compromise between tlio two sections, and went furtlior in tho direction sought by Mr. Rolleston and Mr McKenzie than any other measure yet dealt with by tho House. The Bill had not come up to the expectations of some, but the Government- had done its best, and the lastword had not been spoken on tlio question. Further strides would have to be made in future, but tho Government had sot to work determinedly -and honestly to do what was best in tlio interests of the masses of the PC Thc Hon. AY. AY. McCardl© seconded tho motion. Ho congratulated the Government on having introduced such a measure. _ Q Tho Council adjourned at o tin o p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2,30 p.m. Mr. Carroll gave notice to introduce the Maori Lands Settlement Bill. „ , Ono "week’s leave of absence ivas granted to Mr. Lethbridge on account of ill-liealtli. . The Speaker read a communication from Mr. Gasquoine, manager or tno State Coal Depot, explaining lus action in wiring to a subordinate at Christchurch concerning a question put- to him before a Parliamentary Committee. In reply to the Prennei the Speaker ruled that a breach of privilege had taken place. On the motion of the Premier it was resolved that" the explanation of Mi • uasquoino bo accepted as satisfactory, and that no further action be taken. -