PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2658, 13 November 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THURSDAY NIGHT’S SITTING

fl’uu Pnicss Association.] WELLINGTON, Nov. 12

After 'midnight on Thursday progress on the Musicians’ Bill was reported. Tlu* Native Land Amendment Bill was brought down by Message from the Governor, and read a first time. Mr. Dive moved the second reading of the Mutual Fire Insurance Bill, giving power to effect insurance on premium, notes on the share principle. The motion ivas carried on the voices, and the House rose at 12.40 a.m. OLD SOLDIERS’ CLAIMS.

In the House of Representatives this afternoon, Mr. MacDonald asked the Government what it intended to do in regard to recognising the claims of old soldiers, which are continually being made. He said that it was 36 years since the Maori wars, but so far no comprehensive scheme had been formulated to deal with the matter. Mr. Herries urged the Government to announce its intentions as early as oossible. The Hon. J. Carroll said that the whole matter was at present being considered by the Government. Mr. Massey and other members, on both sides of the House, urged the Gbivernment to deal sympathetically with the claims of Maori war veterans. INVESTMENT OF BOROUGH SINKING FUNDS. Mr. Davey, chairman of the Petitions Committee, reported that ii Had no recommendation to make on the petition of the Dunedin City Council praying that section 25 of the Loans to Local Bodies Act, 1908, be repealed. The section provides that sinking funds must be invested in Gqvernment securities, even when there is no Government guarantee of the loan, instead of being invested, as formerly, by sinking fund commissioners. Mr. Davey explained that the committee considered that tno matter was one of policy. He moved that the report lie on the table. Mr. Sidey moved, as an amendment, that the report be referred back to the Government for consideration. The amendment was supported by Messrs Allen, Glover, Baume, Massey, and Phillips, who held that local bodies had the right to control their own sinking funds. Mr. McLaren, in supporting the amendment, said that he was opposed to the policy of centralising power, winch was dangerous to democracy. The question involved in the amendment was one of local government. The Hon. R. McKenzie opposed the amendment, and said that the object aimed at in demanding the repeal ot the clause was to enable boroughs to traffic in their own stocks. Mr. Laurenson denied that local bodies were the repostories of power, as stated by Mr. McLaren. Mr. Ell said that there was abundant evidence to show that local bodies were far more conservative than the Government, and in many cases could not be trusted. Mr. Guthrie supported the amendmThe Hon. T. Y. Duncan (Oamaru) opposed the amendment, which on being put, was carried by 34 to _o. NATIVE LAND BILL. The Native Land Bill was read a second time pro forma, and refer.ed to the Native Lands Committee. HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS BILL. The House went into committee on the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Bill. On clause 42, sub-clause 10, Mr. Massey pointed out that the local authority was authorised to raise contributions under the Local Bodies Loans Act, instead of under the State Guaranteed Advances Act. The Hon. G. Fowlds explained that this could be amended later on in the event of the State Guaranteed Advances Bill being passed this session. The fact that the Bill had not been passed was the reason why the measure was not mentioned in the sub-clause. Mr. Herries suggested the taking of the sub-clauses of clause 42 one by one, which the Minister agreed to Mr. Rhodes moved to strike out subclause 2. which provides for the Board making an estimate of its expenditure during April in each financial year, and to substitute an amendment to the effect that every old Board shall, before 20th March, 1910, for the guidance of the newly-elected body, prepare an estimate of probable expenditure for the ensuing year, and every Board, before the same date in each succeeding year shall estimate its probable requirements for a similar period. After discussion the amendment v as put and lost on the voices. Tlio House rose at 5.30 p.m. At the evening sitting the House resumed consideration of the Hospitals Bill in committee. . _ The Hon. G. Fowlds, in accordance with notice, moved to omit the words “but there shall be no representatives of the district on the board ot the hospital district” from suo-c ause 1, clause 47, and to add. the following: “The Governor may, it he tiiinKs nr, having regard both to population and to tlio rateable value of the property ill any such part of the .hospital district, hv ordor-in-Counci 1 in December ot each vear, appoint such number ot members as lie thinks fit, not exceeding three, as representatives of that part of the district on the board.” The motion was agreed to. On clause 49. providing for moneys belonging to a'board being paid into the bank pending investment, illWitty moved to insert words power to a board to lodge money with some local authority authorised uy statute to borrow money otherwise than from a bank. . , After considerable discussion the amendment was defeated by 42 to 23 On the motion ot Sir Y\ . J. Stew ai it was decided to delete the words m clause 52, sub-clause 1, providing that no money, land, or property shall, without consent of the Minister be accepted by the board m trust foi the establishment of any new mstitutiom On clause 58, which provides that a. Board may borrow on security foi banc ing and other purposes,. Mr Luke moved to add words giving.the boa d newer to borrow money by wa> oi special loan under the Loans to Loca Bodies Act.