PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2668, 25 November 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

CONGRATULATIONS TO SIR GEO

McLEAN

fPutt Press Association. l WELLINGTON Nov. 24. The Council met this afternoon after a fortnight’s adjournment. The Attorney-General congratulated the Hon. Sir George McLean on the. honor conferred upon him by the King. Sir George McLean expressed his warm acknowledgement of the congratulations extended to him from one end of the country to the other. . SECOND READINGS. The Wanganui Roman Catho.ic Bill (Hon. J. B. Callan), and the Roman Catholic Archbishop Empowering Bill (Hon. It. A. Loughnan) were read a second time. The New Zealand Society of Accountants Bill, to enable certain persons to apply to the Council of the Society for registration, was read a second time on the motion of tire Hon. 0. Samuel. The Magistrate’s Court Amendment Bill, requiring three days’ notice of intention to defend an action, and also setting aside a full detailed statement of claim in favor of a short statement in actions for goods sold and delivered, was read a second time on the motion of the Attorney-General. The Attorney-General moved the second reading of t-he Chattels Transfer Act Amendment Bill. The discussion was adjourned, and the Council rose. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. STATE GUARANTEED ADVANCES BILL. In the House after 12 o’clock on Tuesday, at clause 16 of the State Guaranteed Advances Bill, “cases in which money may he advanced,” Mr. Herd man moved to strike out of the section the words “to mining companies and persons as guaranteeing mining advances under part V. of this Act.”— Lost by 37 to 16. Mr. Luke moved to include “holders of perpetual leases of land owned by Harbor Boards and local authorises” as “persons entitled to take advantage of the advances office.” —Lost on the voices.” > . . A proposal to include persons wishing to secure loans to construct water races for the purposes of irrigation was lost by 30 to 21. Mr. Massey moved an amendment to limit borrowing to six millions, which was lost bv 26 to 16. At clause 18, the sanction of both Chambers to the loan was altered to sanction by the Lower House. Progress was reported, and the House rose at 3.10 a.m. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. At the afternoon sitting to-day, Ministers, replying to questions, stated that the Government will consider the advisability of introducing legislation abolishing grand juries; that the Premier was not prepared to lay Commissioner Dinnie’s statement traversing the finding of the Poliec Commission before the House, but there was no reason why a private member should not do so ; that a Bill amending tlie Libel Act with the view of giving the press the same immunity from prosecution as is enjoyed by the press of Great Britain has been prepared; that the establishment of a complete system of medical and dental inspection of school children is being seriouslv considered with the view to seeing what can be done; that as the accuracy of the agricultural statistics obtained under the old methods has been frequently questioned, the Government has decided to adopt a new system, which will be less costly and more satisfactory. The Wellington Harbor Board Bill (Mr. Field) was read a second time. * The Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland* Special Powers Rill (Mr. Baume) was read a third time. THE GOVERNOR'S SALARY.

Mr. Taylor (Christchurch), in moving the first reading of the Governor’s Salary and Allowances Reduction Bill, said that the emoluments of the Governor were out of all proportion to the work done, and would maintain 70 workingclass families in comfort. He desired to see the salary cut down to what it had been previous to the increase during the period of prosperity in 1900. Sir Joseph Ward said that, while he was anxious for economy, he could not agree with Mr. Taylor’s remarks. So long as it was considered 1 necessary to have a. representative of the Iving in the Dominion, his position should be adequately supported. Mr. Hanan said that the Government. when embarking on a scheme of retrenchment, should begin at the most highly paid offices. In his reply, Mr. Taylor said that there was absolutely no reason for keeping up a, Governor’s residence at Auckland, and he hoped the time would come when the Dominion would select' its own Governor. The first reading was agreed to. GRAND JURIES ABOLITION BILL. The Grand Juries Abolition Bill (Mr. Taylor) was read a. first time, and the House rose at 5.30 p.m. STATE GUARANTEED ADVANCES BILL. At the evening sitting, the House went into committee to further consider the State Guaranteed Advances Bill. On clause 36, sub-clause 3, Mr. Massey moved that the Minister's annual return include particulars of the rate of interest to bo paid on loans and the date.—Lost by 35 to 20. . On the motion of Sir Joseph Ward, clause 37, specifying the classes of land on which advances to settlers may be made, had the following clauses added after the paragraph, viz:—(N) Crown lands held on lease for agricultural purposes under the Mining Districts Lana Occupation Act, 1894; (O) Crown lands held in license for residence sites under the Mining Acts IS9I and 1905; (P) Crown lanasi hold on lease under the Mining Acts 1898 and 1908; (Q) Maon lands which have been transferred in trust • for leasing, or were held under leases from a Maori Land Board under the Maori Lands Administration Act, 1900, for 21 years with right of renewal. On clause 43, providing for a rebate of interest when instalments were paid punctually, Mr. Taylor (Christchurch) objected to this as a vicious principle, and said ho would call for a division on the clause. ' * Mr. Jtusscll agreed with Mr. Taylor. •Messrs Hogan,. Hall, and Buxton supported the clause, and on a division the clause was retailed by 4S to 6. (Left Sitting.) '