PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2036, 26 September 1908, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

THURSDAY EVENING’S SITTING

[Press Association.]

AVELLINGTON, Sept. 25 In tlio Houso alter midnight,. Mr. A. L. D. Eraser thought the Alining Amendment Bill was better than nothing, though it was not comprehenM mV. T. Y. Seddon considered there were good points ill tlio Bill, hut lio would have liked to sue a good deal more in it. It did not. moot tlio requirements of the industry. He roforred to the need for the Public Works Department to control tlio mine-.; wlioro electricity was used, and asked that regulations should be gazetted with that end in view. Ho also thought more systematic- prospecting should be undertaken by tlio Geological Department-. The debate was continued by JJr. Clmpplo and Mr. J. Allen, the latter approving of the clause protecting surface pastoral land. Hon. J. McGowan having replied, the House went into committee on tlio Bill. . , Hon. A. R. Guinness moved to provide for the payment of wages fortnightly, and to allow thirty minutes’ crib-time, hut neither amendment. was carried. The Bill was. reported, and tho House roso at 2.15 a.m.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. AFTERNOON SITTING.

The Council met at 2.30 p.m. Hon. T. K. Alacdonald moved that it was advisable in the best interests of the people of tho Dominion thatcompetitive designs be invited from architects for all buildings required to be erected by tho Stato of tho value of £3OOO and over, as not only would tho opportunity of employing such designs be a great -incentive to tho younger 'men of the profession, but it would greatly add to beauty and economy in connection with the buildings required for carrying on the work of tho St-ato.

After discussion, during which tho architectural branch of tlio Public Works Department was criticised by Hon. T. K. Alacdonald and warmly defended by Hon. J. Barr and the Attorney-General, the motion was withdrawn.

The following Bills wero read a first timo: Auckland University College Land Act, Land Drainage Amendment, Palmerston North Dairy School Reserve, Harbors Amendment, Gore Public Library Vesting, Defence Amendment-, Hamilton Domains, Heavy Traffic.

The Impounding Amendment and Fire Brigades Amendment Bills were read a third time and passed. The Public Bodies Leases Bill was put through committee, and reported without amendment. EVENING SITTING. The Council resumed at 8 p.m. The Quackery Prevention Bill (dealing with punishment for false representation of drugs or appliances) was passed through committee, reported without amendment, and read a third time.

The Imprest Supply Bill, No. 4, involving a sum of £798,000, was putthrough all stages. Hon. J. E. Jenkinson urged the cancelling of premiums paid by nurses entering State maternity homes. The Attorney-General said that the matter of providing nurses for tlio poor was under the consideration of the Premier in connection with the National Provident- Bill.

The Auckland University College Land Bill and the Land Drainage Bill were put through the second and third readings and passed. The Council rose at 9.30 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. AFTERNOON BITTING. The Houso met at 2.30 p.m. The Premier gave notice that the House sit oil Alondays at 2.30 p.m. The Imprest Supply Bill for £798,000 was brought down on the motion of the Joint Committee.

A general discussion, chiefly relating to local matters, ensued. Mr. 0. Hall dealt at considerable length with the operation of the Rating on Land Values Act, 1896, referring to the argument that the exemption of palatial buildings and mansions from taxation fell heavily upon the working man. lie quoted statistics to show that nates had fallen on unimproved values instead of rising. Mr. A. AV. Hogg referred to the scarcity of currency, and said t-lie lack of capital impeded very seriously the operations of country settlers. Tlio money-lenders inado merciless use of their opportunities, and general distress ensued upon unemployment consequent on this st-a to of things. A class of people boro were cornering the wealth and accentuating distress by raising tho price of money.' It was the duty of the Government to assist settlers freely by means of loans.

Mr. W. F. Massey, replying to Mr. H. G. Ell, said that the effect of rating on unimproved values was to reduce rates and taxes on many rich people’s property. The House adjourned at 5.3 Q, p.m. % EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m., and the debate on the Imprest Supply Bill was continued. The Bill having passed committee, further debate occurred on the motion for the third reading. Tlie Premier, replying to criticisms, protested against the wailing of tho Opposition in regard to the financial stability of tho country. Referring to the advances to settlers, Sir Joseph Ward Raid that less than six months of the financial year had passed, and already over £1,000,000 had been paid out to settlers and workers. Ho was opposed to a State -issue of notes, which would spell disaster to the country. The Bill was read a third time and passed. Hon. J. A. Millar moved tlie third reading of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill.

Mr. J. F. Arnold said he thought tlie House was putting a very good measure on the Statute Book, as it provided for pure conciliation, whilst also providing for compulsion if pure conciliation failed. There were some things in the Bill which lie did not like, but lie thought if tlio measure was loyally accepted it would accomplish what was designed and would prove -acceptable to tlio workers. (Applause.) Mr. W. F. Massey, while admitting the Bill had been improved in committee, opined that it would be amended again and again until the compulsory element was eliininafecl altogether. Dr. Chappie was more sympathetic than hopeful regarding the success of the Bill.

Mr. A. R. Barclay said that- the only advantage the workers gained from the Bill was tlio abolition of imprisonment for strikes. The Conciliation Councils would prove only modified Conciliation Boards.

Mr. T. Mackenzie praised Mr. Arnold’s speech. Mr. T. M. Wilford said tlie labor problem could not be solved by statute. In considering the Arbitration Bill it must be remembered that tlio problem was not- merely economic but social. He paid a warm tribute to the Minister.

lion. j. A. Millar replied at some length. Ho spoke ill appreciation of Mr. Arnold’s speech, and said lie accepted the full responsibility for the Bill, which provided a legalised conference witli tlie spectre of the Court in the background. It was not the final solution of the labor problem, but if it improved conditions it would justify itself. _ The Bill was read a third time and passed. Tho Fire Brigades Amendment Bill, the Auckland University College Land Bill, and tho Land Drainage Amendment Bill were received from the Legislative Council, and were read a first time.

The Education Amendment Bill was re-committed. The House was sitting when the telegraph office closed.