IN PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3348, 14 October 1911, Page 2

IN PARLIAMENT.

00 IN OS IN THE HOUSESHIPPING AND SEAMENUBILL, (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Oct 13. The Hon, Mr. Millar, in moving the second reading of the Shipping and Seamen Amendmtnt Bill, said the chief clause of the Bill repealed the clause in the principal Act relating to the power of til© Government to collect a-' percentage- of bills-of-lading in the case of ships carrying coloured crews. The Home authorities objected to the New Zealand Government having any authority over bills-of-lading issued in England. The Imperial assent- w,as given- to the .original Act on- condition that the portion of the clause relating to Home bills-of-lad-ing was repealed. The Bill made this undertaking good. Th s BilL contained a . clause providing that where seamen are loft on shore in New Zealand by reason of illness they are deemed to.be discharged; also provisions for insuring a deposit of certain sums of money for maintenance of seamen. left on shore ill. The Bill was read a second time. RATING AMENDMENT BILL.' The Ron. D. Buddo moved the second reading of the Rating Amendment Bill, which provides thati where, on talking a poll in any district the system of rating on unimproved values is adopted, the system- shall apply to water rates, gas rates, electric light rates, sewerage rates, and hospital ami charitable aid rates leviable under the principal Act of the measure. The Hon. D. Buddo pointed out that theh second clause provides that in any district where the system was in force oii the commencement of this Act, a poll may be taken, on the' proposal that the said system shall apply to the said rates as suggested. . , _ Messrs Wilford. Witty, and Eraser asked Sir Joseph Ward, who agreed to make the second clause mandatory. Mr. Allen failed to see that sufficient reason had been given for a change in the system of rating. He thought that for whatever purposes it was unfair that a- large supply should be let off in proportion' and a smaller building should have a larger rate imposed. Th e same applied to sewerage rates. Sir J. G. Ward said tlic rating system was working unsatisfactorily in connection' with pastoral runs, and Parliament would be asked to alter it this session. Mr. Newman referred tc the case 01 holders- -of small grazing runs in the North Island. The runs were, lie contended, taken np on the inducement that the rates were particularly light, whereas the Act of last year greatly increased the rates, and some rates were quadrupled. They had a worse tenuie of any Crown tenants, 21 years with no certain rights of renewal. Tire Bill was read a second timeThe Lands and Income Tax Bill was read a second time without debate. Sir Joseph Ward moved the second reading of the- Death Duties Bill, exempting gifts not exceeding £IOOO from dutv after the passing of the Act. The Public Works Amendment Bill whs read a second time ■without discussion. ■The House rose at 11.20 p.m.