PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2687, 17 December 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

LAND SETTLEMENT ADMINISTRATION BILL.

Il’ttll I’IIKHB ASSOCIATION. I WELLINGTON, Dec. 16. In the Legislative: Council this afternoon the Attorney-General moved the committal of the Land Settlement Administration Bill, received from the House. He explained in detail the provisions of the Bill, and controverted critics who, he said, mischievously or ignorantly averred that borrowing for the purpose of land for settlement was “riding to the devil.” The Hon. E. C. J. Stevens entered an emphatic protest against the provisions of the Bill, which enabled so much to be taken from a man’s estate. The Hon. J. Anstey supported Mr. Stevens’ protest. He considered it a mistake to suddenly reduce the area from 1000 to 400 acres. The Hon. J. Rigg supported the Bill, but hoped that the compulsory principle for taking land would be retained. The Hon. H. F. Wi'gram supported the proposal. to take the purchase money of estates out of the public debt. The Hon. J. T. Paul doubted if the proposed abolition of the compulsory taking of lands for workers’ homes and farms was a step in the right direction. The Attorney-General, in reply, said that the sentiments of the Hon. E. C. J. Stevens’ represented a view which had passed away 20 or 30 years ago, and had given place to a radically different view as to the rights of the State where there was a conflict of interest between the rights of the State and of the individual where lands were required for closer settlement. It was too late to raise the sacredness of private property against the rights of the’State. He went on to outline the features of the English. Act to meet the arguments of those who • considered that the Government was treading on the corns of the individuals of the country. If we had v - .© same power in this country, he said, the whole of the large estates in Hawke’s Bay could be acquired without paying Is oil the purchase moneys. In New Zealand the Government was paying ample regard, in some cases fastidious regard, to the rights of private owners. The Bill was committed. . .

At clause o. relating to provisions as to administration, sub-clause (a) was deleted. It read, “All settlement land shall he deemed to be Crown land under the principal Act, and the legal title thereto shall accordingly be and remain in His Majesty, not in the superintendent.” The committee then adjourned until the evening. . .. c At the evening sitting, section 24 of the Land Settlement Administration Bill was altered to eliminate- the compulsion in the acquisition of lands for ■workers’ homes and workers 5 farms within a borough anr a radius of 20 miles from the boundary of a borough. The Industrial Schools Bill was reported unamended. The Inferior Courts Bill was also reported from committee unamended. All three Bills were read a third time and passed. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES BILL.

The- Attorney-General moved) the second reading of the Friendly Societies Bill, passed by the House, and explained’ that the measure had the cooperation of the friendly societies, and it was through that co-operation that the Bill was before them that night. The Hon. W. Beehan. while approving of the Bill generally, objected to loans on personal security. He thought that members should receive superannuation at the age of 65. On the motion of the Hon. J. Anstey the debate was adjourned, and the Council rose at 9.45 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

NATIVE LANDS BILL

After midnight on Wednesday, Mr. Herries referred to the alienation of lands ; and advocated extending of principle of clause 206, ■which provides that Native land held by single owners should be considered European land. The Bill, he said, was an admirable one, especially as it related to the opening up of the Native lands, but to render it effective funds ought to be granted to the Native Land Boards for this purpose. Mr. Reed opposed the principle of the Bill, which, he said, perpetuated the old .system of treating Maoris as children. Mr. Greenslade supported the Bill, which, lie said, Aras a tribute to the good work of the Native Minister. Messrs Jennings and Pearce continued the debate. •

PUBLIC WORJvS ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The House Avent into committee on the Public Works Act Amendment Bill. , ■ Clause 33 Avas struck out on the motion of the Minister, and the House rose at 5.15 a.m. IMPORTANT MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. In the House of Representatives this afternoon, tho Prime Minister made an important statement relative to the AA'ork which he proposed should be dealt with in tho week. He said that the chief Bills which would take up any length of time were the Defence and Native Land Bills. In regard to the former lie intended to amend it so as to remove the objection to the clause providing for taking over the assets and liabilities of existing corps by the Crown, by < substituting one iproviding that existing companies may retain their assets and liabilities. He hoped that the Bill as amended Avould receive very little opposition, ahd pass this session. Other Bills proposed to be dealt with before Christmas are: Customs Duties Amendment, Stamp Duties, Workers’ Compensation Amendment, King Country Licenses (avlucli provides for the abolition of Avholcsale licenses Avithin 12 months of the passing of the Act), a Bill abolishing pony and Galloway racing, Superannuation Act Amendment, Urewera District Reserves (under which the Government take over 100,000 acres of land),. Magistrate’s Court Amendment, Society of Accountants Bill, and a number of local Bills. The Land Bill would be held over till next session to alloAV of its fuller consideration by members. Ho proposed to bring in a Bill next session to finally settle the Meilde case, also a National Provident Bill, and legislation amending the Gaming Act and Local Government. He proposed that Tuesday ho set apart for the consideration of the Timber Commission’s report, and Wednesday for dealing with the Police Commission’s report, when the Government Mvould make a statement on the latter. In the event of not being able to overtake the work mentioned Parliament should meet again after Christmas.

Mr. Massey gaid that the Opposition would make no efforts to obstruct the legislation {proposed, so long as this was put through,in a reasonable manner. ”He would assist in placing the Native Land Bill on the Statute Book. The programme mentioned by Sir Joseph Ward was a lengthy one, included many contentiou s measures, and would require a month for its proper treatment. He expressed the opinion that the Government’s action in bringing in the Land Bill was not sincere. After a general discussion the House went into committee on the Native Land Bill. . . The House rose at the dinner adjournment. / NATIVE LAND BILL.

In the evening the Native Land Bill w-as considered in committee. Mr. Massey moved to add a proviso to clause 142 (which provided that native freehold land shall not be available for payments of debts) as follows: Unless the Court, after inquiry, certify that full and proper value was received for the amount of such debt. The amendment was lost by 42 votes to 22.

Clause 248 was amended on the motion of Mr. Wright by substituting one year for two as the period within which residence shall commence on open and gartly ' open land sold by the Land oards.

Mr. Herries moved to add a new paragraph to the effect that the Government may, at the recommendation of tlio Court, by Order-in-Council, declare any native to he ndt a native within the' meaning of the Act, that is to remove disabilities from natives who are practically Europeans, and bring them under the same law as Europeans. The amendment w r as lost by 30 to 22. (Left Sitting.)