IN PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3306, 26 August 1911, Page 2

IN PARLIAMENT.

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. TO ENCOURAGE EMIGRATION. A NOVEL PROPOSITION. LjCEE PIIEBS ASSOCIATION.J WELLINGTON, August 24. The .Council met at 2.30, when the Hon. O’Rorke moved; —“That this Council is of the opinion that it is desirable that the Government should appoint an emigration officer in Ireland, and another in Scotland, to facilitate emigration from those countries, arid that each emigrant of 21 years of age should receive 40 acres of freehold land m New Zealand. The Hon. C. M. Luke? while not agreeing with the whole of the motion, took occasion to emphasise the importance of a more vigorous immigration, public works and land settlement policy. This country should have a far larger number of settlers on its lands than it has. The Hon. W. W. McCardle urged the necessity of closer settlement, but objected to the proposal to give blocks of land away.

The Hon. J. B. Callan said the scheme was impracticable. If the free grant portion were left out, he would vote for the motion, for he agreed with the importance of immigration. The Hon. W. Bechan expressed similar views.

The Hons. M. Anstev and J. McGowan opposed the motion, which was lost on the voices, and the Council rose.

HAPPENINGS IN THE HOUSE. CROWN TENANTS AND LAND BOARDS. BILLS READ AND PASSED. The House met at 2.30, when Mr L. M. Isitt, the newly elected member for Christchurch North, was sworn-in and took his seat. The Methodist Charitable and Educational Trusts Bill was read a third time and passed. Speaking to the Lands Committee's report on the Land Amendment Bill, introduced by 7 himself, Mr Newman (Manawatu) asked that the Government should take up the measure, as it was impossible for him to go any further with it, as a private member. The Bill provided for increased representation by Crown tenants on Land Boards.

Mr Jennings (Taumarunui) supported the application for the increased representation of Crown tenants. The Hon. D. Buddo said the bill aimed at the reduction of Government nominees on Boards. He had never had any complaint about the representation on Land Boards, most of the duties of which were purely statutory. Crown tenants’ interests were essentially their own, and no concern of the Land Boards. Air Guthrie (Oroual said there was no desire t-o infringe the rights of Government nominees. He regretted the Government would not take the Bill up.

Mr Russell (Avon) said the Land Boards were merely vehicles for registering decisions of the Government Departments. He held that greater local knowledge was necessary to propeny carry out the functions of the Boards, and that the land districts and Land Boards should be increased. Mr Ed (Christchurch S-outh) maintained that Land Boards were very important institutions. With regard to increased representation, lie held that Crown tenants were only a small seci’Vn of the community. M - ■ Hnnan (Invercargill) held tlm Crown tenants had not shown the interest they should have done in Land Board matters. The Stone Quarries Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. The Hon. Geo. Fowlds moved the second reading of the Auckland Grammar School Site Bill, which provides a suitable site for the school on the gaol reserve at Mt. Eden. The Bill was read a second time.

The Hon. Geo. Fowlds moved the second reading of the Education Reserves Amendment Bill, which extended the powers of high school trustees, and removed the restrictions under the Public Bodies Leasing Act, 190 S. Dir Field (Otaki) applauded the objects of the Bill, and said that the powers conferred by it were urgently needed .by such school trustees. Mr Herries (Tauranga) welcomed the Bill from the point of view of tenants on high school reserves. The Bill was read a second time. The Patent Designs and Trade Marks Bill was read a third time. The Hon. J. A. Millar moved the adjournment of the House to enable members to meet and welcome the Premier.

The motion was agreed to, and the H'Uise adjourned till Tuesday. The House rose- at 5.30 rv.m.