PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2677, 6 December 1909, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

house of representatives.

THE COMMISSIONER OF TAXES.

• rj’Kit Pukhb Association.! WELLINGTON, Dec. 5. After 12 o’clock on Friday night, in Committee of Supply. the debate on Air. AVright’s amendment struck off the salary of the Commissioner of Taxes as an indication that the House disapproved of the scant information supplied by the Government to members in regard to the recent inquiry, was continued, and provoked reerminatiens on both sides, ine Opposition demanded that the report of the Judges on the alleged irregularities should he laid on the table. Mr. Alassey said that it was rumored that persons connected with the Legislature were implicated. Sir .Joseph Ward stoutly refused to accede to the demand, and said that if the House carried the amendment he would not lay the report on tho table, some one else could do it. The debate was carried on till 1.00 a.m., when Air. Wright’s amendment was out and lost by 40 to 21. IN COAIAIITTEE OF SUPPLY. After 2 a.m. the debate on the Agination Department, in Committee oi Supply, proceeded. Replying to Air. Okey, the Premier ■ aid that the amount saved by retrenchment was £303,603. He cpuld not promise to give retrenched civil servants employment. The inland revenue vote passed without further challenge. The Post and Telegraph Department vote was passed with the exception of £67,700 Class 3, for the conveyance of mails bv sea. which was postponed. On the public buildings vote. Air. Alassey said that a "very serious mistake had been made in not rebuilding a portion of the old Parliamentary buddings burned down. He hoped that this would yet he done. Sir Joseph AA'ard said that if the old buildings were re-built, it would probablv cost thrice what had been exjicnded, owing to the necessity for providing accommodation' for members. Air. Alassey said that the fire was not accidental, and the Premier had been talking nonsense. If -I contracthad been pushed on for an addition to the buildings it would have been ready for the following session. S The vote was passed. HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS BILL. At 3.20 a.m. the Hospitals Bill was brought down from the Legislative Council, with amendments, which the Hon. George Fowlds moved should be agreed to. "Several members strongly opposedthe deletion of clause 72. which gave hospital boards the right to enter into an agreement with a friendly society for the treatment of members at such institutions on special terms. The Hon. G. Fowlds said that the House would have an opportunity to consider the matter again when the Friendly Societies’ Bill was before the House. On the motion of Air. Alassey tho House adjourned at 3.35 a.m. LOCAL BILLS. The House sat this morning at 10 o’clock. The following local Bills were read a second time:—-Katake County (AH. Okey). Wellington City Streets Emgiwering Bill (Air. Luke), Wairoa arbor Board Empowering and Loan (Hon. J. Carroll). Opunake Harbor Amendment (Air. Dive), Waipukurau Reserve (Air. Hall), Taranaki Agricultural Society Empowering (Air. Otago Dock Trust Lands Reclamation and Street Widening (Air. Clark). Gisborne High School Amendment (Hon. J. Carroll), Otago District Hospital Board Kaitangata Reserve Vesting (Air. Allen). New Plymouth Harbor Reclamation," Reefton Recreation Reserve (Air. Guinness), Heathcote Road N Board Waterworks (Air. T.aurenson), j Auckland City Loans Consolidation and Empowering (Air. Baume). Otago Harbor Board Empowering (Hon. J. A. Millar), Otaco Dock Trust Alerger Act, 190 S, Amendment (Air. Clarke), Otaki County (Air. Luke). INANGAHUA COUNTY COUNCIL BILL. When the Inaugaliua County Council Bill was called on for the second reading, the Premier objected to the provision for the extension of the railway, and contended that tlio Bill was not a local Bill. The Speaker ruled that it was. The Premier said that the matter was so important that he would later on move to question the Speaker’s ruling and take the view of the House. The Hon. R. AlcKenzie moved the adjournment of the debate. Sir Joseph Ward seconded the motion, which was carried by 27 to 23. HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS BILL. The amendments by the Council to the Hospitals Bill were considered. >■ The Hon. G. Fowlds moved that the amendments he agreed to. He assured the House that the striking out of , clause 72 did not prejudice the position of friendly societies, because they were able to contract with the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards under clause 69, subsection 4. which provides that Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards may contract for the payment .to them by any other hoard,. body,.society, or person, of the cost of any relief afforded by the first-mentioned hoard to any person. . Considerable discussion followed, many members expressing strong disapproval of the throwing out of clause 72 by the Upper House. The Hon. G. Fowlds threw out a suggestion that an amending Bill could he introduced to meet the position caused by the throwing out of the clause. He might have to abandon the Bill if the amendments were not agreed to. The Hon. D. said that tho clause did not affect tho main law as existing at present. There was nothing to prevent a hospital authority from entering into an agreement with other bodies, such as friendly societies, for payment in respect of maintenance of members of such societies. A short amending Bill might he introduced to meet the difficulty, and he suggested that an agreement he com© to with tlie Council that this be done. At 12.55 p.m. the Hon. G. Fowkls replied, and was proceeding when the House rose at 1 p.m.