GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17989, 16 July 1920, Page 5

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (Abridged from P.A. Telegram.) WELLINGTON, July 15. The Legislative Council met at 2.20 p.m. The Hons. E. MI'ICHELHON, R. SCOTT, and P. ,f. NEUHENY were sworn in. Sir FRANCIS BELL gave notice of the Law Practitioners Amendment Bill. The Hon. G. M. THOMSON gave notice of motion affirming that the time has come when tho Government should adopt a definite policy for the development of tho fishing industry, for tho purpose of providing cheap food for the people, manure for tho land, and the building up of a fishing population, upon which tho navy could depend in time of emergency. Tho Council adjourned at 2.40 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr MASSEY moved that Mr A. S. Malcolm bo appointed Chairman of Committees, which was agreed to unopposed. Mr MALCOLM briefly returned thanks. Replying to Mr J. R. Hamilton (Aw rua), Mr MASSEY said he was of opinion that the transactions of tho Stato Coal Department were having the effect of keeping down the price of coal. There was a slight loss on siles in Wellington, but as a whole there was no loss on the department's sales. Replying to Mr L. M. Isitfc (Christchurch North), Mr MASSEY said he believed that there was already statutory power to extract from immigrants a pledge of loyalty, and a promise to serve the country if necessary. He would have the matter looked into, and, if necessary, he would ask tho House to havo it put into force. The House agreed to the following, amongst other, notices of motion: —That there be laid before the House a return showing (1) the age 'of each miner 'mho is now in receipt of pension under the Miner Phthisis Act; (2) the ago at which each miner died with miner's phthisis who was in receipt of a pension under that Act; and (3), such return to covet full period of the operation of tho Act. T'liafc there be laid before tho House a return showing: (1) Tho number and valuo of woollen rugs manufactured and exported from New Zealand since 1912; (2) the number and valuo of blankets exported for the same period; and (3), tho quantity in yards and valuo of all cloth exported for the same period. Each y:.'ar to be shown separately.

That there be laid before the House a return showing (1) the amount of all wool sold in New Zealand since tho beginning of tho commandeer to buyers within the dominion; (2) the value of such wool. That there be laid before the House a return showing the amount of m,ohey loaned in each year under the Advances to Settlers Act and Advances to Workers Act, and the amounts of repayments under each Act in every year; also the amount of loans under the Advances to Settlers Act granted to settlers in boroughs and town ooard districts, as distinct f ( rom rural areas. That there be laid before the House a return showing the amount of gold coinage by tho various banks for the years 1914 and 1915. That there he . laid before the House a return showing separately (1) the number of charges and convictions for offences and the number and ages of persons convicted for drunkenness in each no-license district from January 1 to December 31, 1919; and (2), the quantity and kind of liquor sent into each no-license district from January 1 to December 31, 1919. ' That there be laid before the House a return showing the estimated annual cost of providing for a universal old-age pension for all persons (irrespective of any property or money they possess or any money they may earn) who reach the qualifying age and otherwise comply with the conditions laid down in the Pensions Act.

Mr M. J. SAVAGE (Auckland West) moved the second reading of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill. He explained the' provisions of the Bill, and agreed if the House read the Bill a second time to refer it to the Labour Bills Committee. The Hon. Sir WILLIAM HERMES (Minister of Labour) said that he was glad that the mover wished the Bill to go to the Labour Bills Committee, as one of the main principles of the measure practically amounted to a one big union systemMr HOLLAND (Buller): No; you are quite wrong. Mr HOWARD (Christohurcli South): It is one union for the industry. .

The MINISTER said that was at any rate one reason "whv the Bill should go to the Labour Bills Committee- ' If it went there he would not oppose the second ingMr J. P. LUKE (Wellington North) said he had some experience of one big union so far as the tramways of the dominion were concerned, and he was not at all sure the proposal of the Bill would be a benefit to Labour. The proposal might not be for one big union for the dominion, but it was one for afeig union that could strangle its one industry. Mr W. A. VEITCH (Wanganui) said it was absurd that tho Union Steam Ship Company's employees, for instance, should have branch unions all over the country, when they could economise and facilitate settlements by having one organisation. He agreed that some danger _ might acorue from the formation of one big union by an attempt to usurp the functions of the General Government. He would never stand for that, slnoe he believed the Government should be in the hands of the people's elected representatives in .Parliament. But that had nothing whatever to do with the underlying principle of the Bill, which was merely intended to facilitate tho organisation and working of trade unions that were connected with industries spread all over tho dominion.

Mr I). G. SULLIVAN (Avon) said the intention of the Bill was merely to accomplish in a quicker and simpler manner what was accomplished now. Where a dominion award was being made both parties called together representatives from several centres at" considerable expense. This proposal would overcome that. The principle of the Bill would reallv tend to carry matters away from the one big union idea; besides it would cheapen the administration of the Labour Department. Mr E. KELLETT (Dunedin NortW was in favour of the Bill, but agreed it should go before a conimitece -or full consideration- * - i. Mr D.' JONES (Kaiapoi) said a small body, of workers in one corner of New Zealand could, under this Bill, ask far a dominion award. Before a dominion award vero mado evidence' should be called in all centres affected. To give the Commissioner a vote in the conciliation clause piroceedings would be equivalent to settmg ,up another Arbitration Court. As a general rule the Conciliation Council did not call evidence. If the Commissioner had a vote he would pructioally settle a case by his recommendation to the court. Mr W. E. PARRY (Auckland Central) said that the way to stir up industrial strife would be to olose the door against the voluntary organisation of workers. 11l reply, Mr SAVAGE said that, unfortunately, the idea underlying this Bill was not "one big union." He stood for unity of Labour, call it what they would. Mr HOLLAND: That is what they are afraid of. Mr SAVAGE said.that if tho Act ware riot brought up to the requirements of to-day, the workers would cancel their registration under the Act and unite outside. They would not be kept from the industrial field. Tho Bill was read a second time without opposition, and (referred to the Labour Bills Committee. Mr A. HARRIS (Waitemata) moved the second reading of tho Destitute Persons Act Amendment Bill. He said it was i, simple Bill to sociure the appointment of officers of the court to enforce payment of orders under the Destitute Persons Aot, ISIO, in tho cities of Auckland, Wellington, Chnatchurch, and Dunedin. The second ircad : ng was agreed to, and the Bill referred to the Statutes Revision Committe.n.

Mr R. A. WRIGHT {Wellington Suburbs) moved the second rea<ling of the Maori War Medal Bill. Ho said the Rill was intended to 4 secure some recognition of •.o services of men who were not' under fire. The Bill proposed that only a medal should be given to such men—not a pension. He invited the Government to adopt tho Bill and pass it. into law. Messrs YOUNG, MITCHELL, T. W. RHODES. HARRIS. ATMORE, FIELT), HUNTER, and TIIACKETR supported the Bill ns an act of justico to Maori war veterans.

Messrs JENNINGS and ISITT opposed it on tho grounds that ample opportunity had been given forr claims for medals t-0 be put in, and the matter should not bo reopened. 'Mr MASSEY said there was no particular objection to the granting of medals proposed by tho Bill, but ho warned the House against an agitation for pensions in all directions. The financial position of

tho country was good, but it could " n6B\ stand unlimited demands which might be ■ uiado upon it Economy was necessary. iVlir JYI'OOMBS (Lyttelton) moved the second reading of the Shops and Offices Act Amendment Bill, which was agreed to ; without discussion, the Bill being referred to tho Harbour Bills Committee. Tho Hon. G. J. ANDERSON moved the third reading of the Revocation of' Naturalisation Papers Amendment BilL '* Tho House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30- . ■ - " Mr T. K. SIDEY (Dunedin South) gretted tho Government had not accepted his amendment in committee granting the right of appeal under the Bill- Our. legisla-• tion was thus far behind that of other counMr W. DOWNIE STEWART (Dunediii : - West) could not understand the objection to Mr Sidey's amendment. He recommended the Government to recommit the Bill and put the amendment in. Sir WILLIAM HERRIES said tho amendment was merely an attempt to get the work of the Natiorfal Government re-, viewed. The amendment should have been moved when the original Bill was before tho House, but it would not have been so popular then as now. The Hon. W. I>. S. MACDONALD repudiated the suggestion that Mr Sidey was striving after popularity. Mr MASS BY said if the amendment was a good one there was no reason, why -it . should not bo considered and incorporated in the Bill by the Legislative Council that body thought lit. The Biil was read a third time, and passed. Tho Hon. G. J. ANDERSON moved the second reading of the Registration of Aliens Amendment Bill, which provided for* the registration of women who become . aliens by marriage, and to remedy other defects which had been found in the working of the Act of 1917. Tho Government, did not. desire to continue this class of war legislation, any longer than necessary, but ivo did not want to encourage the same class of immigration as we formerly did, ; and until things became normal it must continue. .. Mr SIDEY" protested against alien children of 15 years being compelled to register. The MINISTER said he would consider 1 the point. . _ , Messrs FRASER and HOLLAND' denounced tho proposal to make alien British women who followed the natural instinct of marrying a man they loved,_ j<ist because ■ he was .bom in a country different from theirs. It was a recognition of a principle abhorrent to modern thought that a man possessed Droperty in a woman. Mr M'OOMBS said the Bill was illogical, because while it penalised women who maxy riod aliens it did not so penalise men wba married alien, women. Women's socwtifiS' throughout the world resented this principle, and had appealed to tho League of Nations to have this disability on their sex .removed. Mr W. E. PARRY said ho was opposed to the cowardly contents of the Bill. Mr R. A. WRIGHT contended that the Bill was necessary, because wo must coun-. <er the scientific spy system, established by; Germany. \ Mr W. A. VEITCSH said ths> Bill only affirmed the principle that the nationality of the family followed the nationality o£ ; the head of the family, and that wee the only basis on which any family could be established. Tho Hon. A. T. NGATA pointed out that the New Zealand Parliament had never said that British women had married aliens, became they were aliens. That had' been done by Imperial Statute, and if the Labour - Party objected to that they must make representations to Mr Uoyd George. Mr D. G. SULLIVAN said tho Bill, wafl an insult to tho women of the dominion. Messrs Atmore. Brown, M'Nicol, :andIsitt supported the Bill. -.■■■ !-* Messrs BARTRAM and SAVAGE -opposed the measure, which was read a. seooiid • time. Mi'; The Hon. G. J. ANDERSON" then* moved the second reading of the Amendment Bill, which provides' thtit ■> women may.be appointed registrars of marriages. Another provision was that a notq of divorce shall be attached to the marriige register. The houre during which! marriages may be solemnised was extended:to 8 o'clock in the evening. Clause \5 nised tho Salvation Army as a.jreligipija body. ' The Bill was road a second time, after several members had expressed the opinion that-women officers of the Salvation. Arnyy should have the right to solemnise marriages.

Sir WM. HESRRIES moved the second reading of the Customs Amendment pill," which, he said, was intended to relieve ex. porters from the intolerable position .canised by the foreign rate of exchange, and - friya, the department the option of assessing Customs duty either on a "mintage" rate, or on the "eornTTiercial" rate. He asked ..that the measure be treated aa a matter of urgency, and passed through all its stagea. The Bill was read a second time. ■

The Bill was out through its comimttea stage unamended, was read a third time, and passed. The PRIME MINISTER intimated; thai he- would not talc© any further business, and the House rose at 9.30 p.m.