PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1900, 7 November 1913, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

A DAILY SUMMARY. The Houso of Representatives regained something of its normal tone and aspect yesterday.' Matters connected with tho strike were discussed for about an hour in tho iifternoon, but subsequently a number of other subjects obtaiued the -undivided attention , of members, and, were keenly debated. . Some strenuous efforts woro made by Labour members to bring tho strike on to the floor of tho House when Mr. Veitch niove'd for leave to introduce a Bill, of which he had given notice on ■ the previous day—tho Employment of Waterside Workers and Casual Labour Regulation Bill Mr. Veitch himself disclaimed any intention of raising talk •about tho oxistjng unrest, but other Labour members took another view oS the position, and were frequently in con-, diet with tho Speaker as they sought to deliver "strike speeches." The Hon. W. H. Herries moved to adjourn the • debate, loxpldnwig that the Government considered that this was not the time for'talk. The Government's view I : of the position was eventually affirmed on a' division by CI votes to 0, Mr. /Veitch-voting fortho adjournment. ' i ' When v the debate was over the Prime i Minister niado a statement about tho I strike, in the course of which he tnen--1 tioned that tho Conciliation Commit sioner (Mr. P.- Hally) was endeavouring to promote a settlement, and that legislation would be introduced giving , effect to any settlement arrived at. Mr. Massey also emphasised'the fact that the settlers had now _ takenji hand In the dispute, and (in his opinion rightly) ! demanded a voice in the settlement. Two Railway Bills were introduced iind read a first time. The firßt wan >fh© Railways Constniction and Land ]Amendment Bill, makes effective provision in the existing law that Srivate persons or ..companies may, in Some cases, be permitted to construct Railways where the Government does not care to undertake the work. The , essential olahse in the Bill mtrodiiced yesterday raises from £5000 to £8000 the maximum cost nor mile of railways so constructed. The other Railways Bill is an Authorisation Bill relating to three small seotions of railway, all jn the Auckland province. ■ . ■ The amendments made by the L®S' a " Jative Council in the Science and, Art •Bill were agreed to. ' ■ In the evening the House resumed /the interrupted debate upon the amendments made by tho Legislative Council in the Land Laws Amendment Bill. These were agreed to, finally, on the Voices. • ... The Government 1 Railways Amendment Bill was next considered, in Committee. ■ The- debate upon the short title was protracted. Questions were showered upon the Minister, Numerous .requests were preferred on behalf of - (various districts, and many more or less 'important reforms were advocated. The 'Rill was reported, from Committee with amendments. Just before the House rose the Hon. ®\ M. B. Fisher gave notice of the Soojpnd Ballot Repeal Bill. The House rose at .0.13 a.m. The Legislative Council spent most of ffche sitting disousßing a question raised by the Hon. J; Duthie relativo_ to the administration of the Wanganui Collegiate School Grant. A number of Bills passed another stage, one of them, the Local Authorities Indemnity Bill, be- ; ing put through all stages. j'