THE SESSION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 136, 15 July 1914, Page 8

THE SESSION.

THE RIGHT TO WORK.

LABOUR HAS A GO.

[From our own Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, July 14.

Practically the whole of the afternoon's sitting was taken up bv the discussion of the Workers' Right to Work Bill, introduced by Mr John Payne (Grey Lynn). The discussion on the first reading of a Bill is not usually very interesting, but this was an exception. It is many a day since the House lias seriously spent an afternoon on a Bill which everyone is satisfied will never become law. But the principle is there! THE BILL. The chief provision in the Bill is that every worker in the Dominion who has been resident therein for not less than six months, shall have the right to work, and to receive a minimum living "wage for his or her services. - Every immigrant who has been induced or assisted by the State to come to New Zealand shall have the right to work, and shall receive a minimum living wage for his (fr her services immediately on arrival at any port in the Dominion. "Worker" is defined as "any person who works with hand or brain, or with both.'' The definition of '' minimum wage" is "a wage averaging the same as the wage awarded by the Arbitration Court for the same, or similar, services a worker has been, or is, capable of rendering.''

MR PAYNE'S SPEECH. Mr Payne, in moving for leave to introduce the Bill, said that he was going to speak at this stage just to make sure that he got an opportunity of doing so. (Laughter.) Inasmuch as they in New Zealand inherited the heritage of the confiscated lands of the Old Country, this country had inherited the idea of confiscation. t In a civilised community the least they could do was to provide a right to work for all who were born in the country. Otherwise every child that was born was born with the stigma that it could only sleep and eat and work at the will of some capitalist. The Tories were always trying to get the cheapest kind of labour, by having a number of unemployed always in the country. THE STRIKE. On three occasions during the strike of last year the Government had denied the strikers the right to work. The attempt of the Government to make political capital out of the strike at the next election would be a miserable failure. The farmer recognised that the recent rise in the freight charges of the Union Company was due to the Government's failure to handle the trouble of last year. On behalf of the workers of the Dominiou he asserted their right to work, and he intended to go on doing so until he had a thinking majority and the people behind him. (Ironical laughter.) Agitators for and against the liquor trade, for and against Bible-in-Seliools, and agitators interested in numerous other-questions, were tolerated, but the agitators who pleaded the rights of the workers were looked upon with coutempt. Why was this? Because tlie Government in power was a Tory Administration, which, lie would repeat, sat where it did by bribery and corruption. (Cries of "Ojh! " and laughter.) "A TORY GOVERNMENT." None other but a Tory Government, Mr Payne continued, could have treated the workers as the present Administration had done. In helping the great landowners to accumulate ungodly gains, the Government has been guilty of trickery which was a disgrace to tlie annals of the Empire. (Loud Government laughter.) Mr Payne: You needn't grin. You know your consciences are pricking you. Mr Speaker: The hon. gentleman must address the Chair. *

Mr Payne: Very well, sir. I say their consciences are pricking them, and pricking them hard indeed. Only a Tory Government would have attempted to wreck the Arbitration Court in the name of law and order. SYSTEM OF SLAVERY.

Mr Payne concluded by indicting the Government for being responsible for*a state of slavery which was a disgrace to so-called civilisation. The system was worse now than it was in the days of open slavery, for in those days the workers were not allowed to wtarve. At Home the industrial* system was founded on a system of prostitution. It was found that women could be employed at a much cheaper rate of wages than men demanded, and they did not get enough to live upon from thfe honest earnings of their laboxir. The industrial system was a direct incitement to national immorality. Surely they were not going to have such a system introduced into New Zealand. "RIGHT TO REST.".

Mr P. C. Webb (Grev) said that he would have liked to see the Bill provide also for the right to rest. The Bill should receive the earnest consideration of the House. Surely it was not. a satisfactory state of things when married men with large families had to work for .'?()/- a week, and had to pay one-third of that for rent. The who'le trouble was that the country was governed by the Merchants' Association, the shipping monopolies, the land speculators, and the financial cliques. Parliament, with its eighty members, did not control the country; it was at the mercy of these capitalistic institutions. Unless the Government, would do something to put an end to the vicious victimisation practice that was going on, there would never be industrial peace. THE "BLACK MARK." Mr (!. W. Russell (Avon) said that with regard to the victimisation charges, the public would resent very keenly any attempt, at "black-marking" men who were connected, with the recent industrial upheaval. He believed that the people were too broadminded to believe that any man should remain marked because he had made a mistake. He wanted to look at the question, however, from a broader point of view. They must realise that as representatives of the people they must consider how -far, by the laws of humanity and Christianity, they were justified in making for all men a right to work. The problem of unemployment had given rise to the greatest distress in the bigger cities of the world, and iu a smaller degree there had been occasions when New Zealand had felt the position most acutely. SUGGESTED REMEDIES. In order to cope with it as far as possible on some of these occasions, the Liberal Government had established cooperative works, and had thus to some extent relieved the distress. One way to cope with similar cycles of unemployment was the establishment of labour bureaux in order that from one district to another the surplus labour might be passed on. They should, he urged, extend the present system of bureaux in the Dominion.

Another way to provide employment was the development of the natural resources of the country. As necessity arose, he thought that they must proceed to develop their mineral resources. At the last census it was shown that the cities carried the majority of the population, which showed at once, that they must provide new industries in order that the distribution of labour might be complete. So far as his side of the House was concerned, lie wanted to tell the member for Grey Lynn that they would most carefully look into any practical method of providing - employment for every man who desired it. In other words tlie principles of State Socialism must be extended to make for this end. (Opj>o.sition applause.) DISTRIBUTION OF WORK. Mr H. G. Ell (Christchurcli South) thought that the Bill might have been termed the More Equal Distribution of Work Bill. Most of the awards in existence in the country set down a 44-hour week, but one of the largest employers, the Railway Department, employing i;!, 000 men, worked most -of their men 48 hours a week. He had advocated that the railwaymen's hours should be reduced to 45, so that the Department could absorb more of the working men of this country.

Hon. F. M. B. Fisher: And increase the cost. Mr Ell: I know it would increase the cost, but'this, front a humanitarian point of view, is the most important question this Parliament can discuss. (Hear, hear.) IS THERE VICTIMISATION? Mr Ell went on "to say that he did not know of victimisation, but he had no doubt there was a certain amount of it. It was not right to victimise a man because he had taken part in a strike. Mr Nosworthy: You believe in encouraging them. Mr Ell said he took no notice of such sneering suggestions. He had always been against strikes, and always would be.

A BIG PROBLEM,

» Continuing, Mr Ell agreed with the member for Avon that it would be wise to tackle some of the country's mineral resources. Of course, New Zealand could not hope to settle the question herself. If it were known that she could absorb ?ill her own labour, the unemployed of other countries would be flocking here. But they could do, and it was their duty to do, as much as they could towards the end in view. In any social system there must be a certain number of casually employed men, but they should certainly endeavour to see that these men should be paid highly for their casual labour in order that they could tide oVer periods of unemployment. As for the extension of labour bureaux, he was in favour of it, and believed the post offices could be used to a : very large extent as registration offices. He advocated the establishment of a poultry department to foster that industry, which might in a very short time find employment for thousands of men. ' < THE WILL TO WORK.'' Mr T. M. Wilford (Hutt) said that the question of the right to work entailed also the obligation of the will to work. He did not mean a willingness to work to death, or to "speed up," as the ■Minister of Marine put it; but he meant the giving in return for affair day's pay a fair day's work. He did not believe this country contained many slackers, for the reason that for its population the country exported such a wealth of products. Casual labour formed the worst problem. Throe days a week at 10/- a day was not sufficient for any man. He was not speaking of the permanent casuals of the Railway Department, but of the man in the town who had trouble to make ends meet. Such men had to be assisted. Whether such a measure as the one before them would do what was wished for they could not say, but it certainly behoved the Government of the day to tackle the question. There was another Tiranch of labour which must be dealt with—the partially incapacitated man. That very afternoon he had had a man to see him who had a hook instead of an arm. Nobody wanted him; he could not find work because there was such a danger of his being hurt again. Such a man could not find regular employment, although he might have just as many children de pendent upon him as an man. He had not yet seen Mr Payne's Bill, but if it was in the genuine direction of helping the under-man to get up, it would have the assistance of his side of the House. "MUCH STRPIUSED." Mr W. A. Veitch (Wanganui) said lie had been much surprised at the interjection by the member .for Ashburton that some people wanted to encourage strikers. He thought that these men should be encouraged not to strike again, but to settle down into employment, which would make for their contentment. The Public Works Department might be able to find work- for every able-bodied man who wanted it, but often the trouble was that a married man could not aiVord to keep up two Jiomes. What was the cause of unemployment? Here was a country which was prosperous, wealthy, and in which conditions were favourable, but when the money market was tight the Government was compelled to dismiss a large number of casual employees, it would be impossible, lie thought, to guarantee work to all the workers until they found a way of tiding over the bad periods. That meant that the Government must have money, and he suggested a super-tax on incomes over £IOOO a year. It did not follow mat shortening the hours of employment meant increased-cost of production. Ic might simply mean reduction of rent. There was no doubt that hand in hand with the progress of wealthy people there was a proportionate increase of poverty. In England there were thousands of children going to school hungry on account of their parents' want of employment. The same evil existed in a minor degree in New Zealand, and Parliament should not shirk its responsibilities because it was a difficult problem. Let them do their duty as public men and set their minds to work to devise some means of getting over the difficulty. Some means could be found. There was no difficulty that could not be overcome, .a ml particularly in a community where there was a great deal of wealth. The wealth of this country was increasing enormously every year, and it. was only a matter of sane readjustment of taxation. << CAST ASIDE PALLIATIV KS.''

Mr J. A. Hanan (lnvercargill) said more regard seemed to be paid to palliatives than primary forces. While every attention should be directed to land settlement everything should be done to secure skilled artisanship in the various channels of industry. There should be some system of insurance against unemployment. One of the blackest tragedies was to see a man, ablebodied, willing to work, and unable to find it. The thing was to cast aside palliatives, get down to bedrock causes, and consider them on broad national lines.

THE GOVERNMENT'S SILENCE. Mr L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North) said that he had been waiting for the "true Liberal," the Reformer, to utter one word of sympathy with a measure which had for its object the welfare of the worker. Considering that from even r platform in New Zealand supporters of the Government had declared their love for the worker, they had ex- | pected at least one word of encourage- ; ment for such a measure, but what had j they received? Merely a sneer of conj tempt from the member for Ashburton. j The learned member for Dunedin North (Mr G. M. Thomson), who was an undoubted authority on chemical manures —(Opposition laughter) —professed to be the friend of the working man, but throughout the discussion he had lain supine on his back with his eyes closed, and he had not taken any interest in anything until awakened by the arrival j of the evening paper. ! Mr Thomson: Wrong again, as you usually are. Mr Isitt went on to challenge members on the Reform side to have the courage to express their views on the measure. Hon. F. M. B. Fisher: Electioneering. Mr Isitt (laughingly): I do not need to stand up in the House and make speeches in order to let the workers know that I am always on the side of the under man. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) NEGLECT OF THE WORKERS. Mr A. H. Hindmarsh (Wellington South) said that the majority of the people must remain workers, and earn a bare living wage. If members of the House, who were enabled to hold their seats through being considerably better off than the vast number of the workers, were sincere in their alleged desire for the welfare of the people, they would give earnest consideration to this Bill. If there was a question of the valuation of land or railway sidings before the House, Mr . Speaker hardly knew where to turn to pick out speakers, but when a really important measure was introduced, for the good of the workers, not a single member on the Government side said a word. The same conspiracy of silence was preserved on the great question of education. All the followers of the Prime Minister were wealthy men, who could afford to have their children educated in private schools or abroad. What did they care about the education of the children of the people. If they were concerned Parliament would not rest for a moment until a perfect system had been evolved. He had heard the prosperity of the nation measured in sheep. How absurd! The measure of the prosperity of the nation was the happiness of its people. (Hear, hear.) He exhorted the Prime* Minister and his followers not to sit like dumb dogs, but to say something on this important measure. MR PAYNE'S REPLY. Mr Payne, in reply, pointed out that unless the workers were in a position to buy goods there would be less- output for capital. He believed the enormous increase of armaments was engineered in financial circles in order to find,an outlet for surplus capital. There was tremendous economic waste going on at present and something must be done. The TolV Party had forced on a strike and curtailed the purchasing power of the community. It was a disgraceful thing that in the year 1914-a bank clerk had to consult his manager before he could get married. He had in his eye an estate in the Hawlce's Bay district of 17,000 acres, which only erhployed 14 men at present. If he had his way he. would acquire that place or some similar estate and cut it up so that as many people as possible would be employed on it. The Government could buy the place at such a price that it j would pay to run it as a national concern for the benefit of people in need ! of employment. The land tax should only remain as a penalty tax to secure the cutting up of large estates. The proper system was a graduated income tax, travelling right on and taxing the greater incomes in even greater propor-i tioiL. |

The first reading of the Bill was carried on the Voices, and the second reading was set down for June 22.

ANOTHER PAYNE BILL

Mr Payne then moved for leave to introduce the Mortgage and Chattel Security Foreclosure Prevention Bill. He explained that it provided tlmt there could he no foreclosure so long as a mortgagor could pay interest at the rate of 5 per cent.; also that no farmer could be called upon to pay more than 5 per ceut. for any loan of money on his land. It coped with one of the biggest iniquities that afflicted the country. He wanted to know whether the Government was prepared to take this matter up and protect tlic small farmer. The Bill was read a first time.

FRUIT INDUSTRY. PROVIDING COLD STORAGE. in moving the second reading of the Fruit Preserving Industry Bill, the Right Hon. W. F. Massev said that many of the fruitgrowers had expressed appreciation of last year's Act, but they had suggested improvements, and these were embodied in the amending Bill before them. For instance, they expressed the opinion that, instead of having a lot of simfll cold storage establishments in the fruit-growing districts, it would be better to have one large establishment for each provincial district. It was proposed, therefore, to raise from £,'SOOO to £9OOO. GROWTH OF THE INDUSTRY.

lii reply to Mr Russell, Mr Massey referred to the fact that the fruit industry was going ahead by leaps and hounds. In 1912 New Zealand exported 14,809 cases of apples, mostly to England. In 191.'! 33,000 cases were exported, and this year the Dominion had exported apples so far at the rate of 85,000 cases for the year. Now most of the export was going 1o the large cities of South America. In 3912 there were 30,967 acres in the Dominion' utilised solely for fruit; in 191.'! the area increased to 3ft,797 acres; and this year the Department expects the area to go oo 41,040, an increase of 3000 acres. Personally, from what he had seen, he thought the increase would be more than that. He believed that the time for the fruit-growing industry had come, and that in the years to come ti. \v could look for just as satisfactory results as had been derived from the dairy industry. (Hear, hear). O P POSITJ ON A P PRO V AL.

Sir Joseph Ward agreed with the provisions of the Bill.' The guarantee which the Ward Government had given fruitgrowers had proved a great impetus to the industry; in fact, the industry was worth all the money that could be spent on it now in the direction of providing cold storage. He believed that the industry would attain to just as great a proportion as the dairy industry. In this connection he believed it would be necessary, so that a man could have advantage of making a living at fruit-growing, to make a.

mandatory residence clause. This would obviate that settler having to pay, as now, greatly enhanced values for the little bit of land on which he wanted to make his living and keep his family.

Mr H. Atmore (Nelson) said that, as representing a fruit-growing district, he was pleased to see the Government fostering this important industry. The Government would receive the thanks of the people of his district for the measure.

Mr G. M. Thomson (Dunedin North) emphasised that tree planting should be extensively encouraged as a general principle. Mr V. H. Reed (Bay of Islands) said that the extent to which the fruitgrowing industry had grown in a short time was evidenced by the fact that there were | now 41,000 acres of ground with fruit j trees. There would be an immense quantity of apples available for export shortly and ' now markets would have to be opened. There were a million acres of land available in the north, and splendid apples were being grown. Mr R. Scott (Otago Central) stated that in his district the great desideratum was water, and he had no doubt, when the irrigation schemes were developed, the fruit industry would greatly expand. The Bill was in the right direction. CHEERFUL PROSPECTS. After members had expressed their approval of the Bill the Prime Minister said he was glad -the Bill was so well received, and members were so optimistic. Personally he was much more hopeful of the industry than he used to be. No doubt prospects had been improved with the opening up of outside markets. So far as the gum lands, in the north were concerned, he • meditated a scheme of financial assistance "for those settlers who wanted to go in for fruit-growing. .Probably by the end of the session he would have the scheme ready. When the Panama Canal was available they would be able to send part of their fruit to the eastern side of America, New York and other cities. .At present there was room for a' considerable expansion of trade with South America and so long as a good quality of fruit was grown there need be little fear of the markets. He thought water might be obtained in Central Otago by boring, and this would be better than expensive conservation works. Fruit-growers in many parts of New Zealand were suffering considerable disadvantages. Fertilisers and cheaper freights were needed. The Bill was read a seeoud time. HARBOUR AMENDMENT BILL. The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher moved the second reading of the Harbour Amendment Bill and briefly explained its provisions, which were mainly of a machinery and consolidating character. They had been considered by the Harbour Boards' Conference, and every attention would be paid to any representations from any board. Mr G. W. Russell (Avon) said there were some important departures from the existing law; for instance,* Clause 4 provided that, in addition to travelling expenses, members of boards were to receive a guinea fee for all meetings they attended. Was this principle to be extended to county councils and other local bodies? Clause 15 provided that a board should be called upon to pay, plus advertising, only 10 per cent, of the cost of elections. He thought they should be put on the same footing as other bodies in this regard. Mr T. M. Wilford (Hutt) thought the Bill should be referred to the bodies interested. One clause they should be particularly careful about was the one giving the power of delegation to trustees; also the reference to the ownership of certain islands. The motion was carried. The House adjourned at 11.30 p.m. BIBLE IN SCHOOLS. PETITION FROM CHRISTCHURCH. SOME PROMINENT SIGNATORIES. One of the most interesting petitions laid before the House in opposition to the Bible-jn-Schools referendum is that! presented to-day by Mr H. G. Ell, and signed by 22 well-known residents of Christchurch, most of them prominent school teachers. In the petition it is stated that it is proposed to submit a question involving acute denominational differences of belief to a poll where weight of numbers, not right or wrong, justice or injustice, would prevail. If this principle is established in New Zealand, any denominational majority could inflict any injustice they chose on a helpless minority. The matter of-religious instruction is a matter for the separate Churches and separate parents to deal with in their own. way, each according to their own conference, and no denoni- i ination acts rightly in bringing religion into the political arena, If any denomination or combination of denominations does so, then Parliament should reJuse to ;illow even a minority to bo overpowered by weight of numbers. The signatories to the petition are:—John Caughtey, M.A., William Bean, A. R. Blank, T. A. Fletcher, G. R. Whiting (Spreydon), Rev. John Laird, W. O. Gilniour, C. Hill, Sarah S. Page,' Hugh G Wake M.A., J. C. Adams, Ada Wells, A. C. Maxwell, N. Sustins, Catherine A. Andersen, Chas. Chilton, Johannes C. Andersen, W. S. Wauchop M.A., F. T. Evans, I). M. Sharlaw, E. U. Just (Lytteltonj. LOCAL ELECTIONS POLLS. A GOVERNMENT MEASURE. The Hon. F. M. I>. Fisher moved the second reading of the Local Election and Polls Amendment Bill. He explained that it was merely a machinery bill, making improvements in the present local elections law, chiefly with a view to preventing the possibility of plural voting.

The Rt. Hon Sir J. G. Ward said lie would like to be assured that the door was not being opened to an abolition of the secrecy of the ballot. The numbering of ballot papers, proposed in the Bill, perhaps rendered it possible for persons to find out how people had voted.

Mr T. M. Wilford (ITutt) suggested the municipal conference, now sitting in Wellington, be given an opportunity of discussing both this Bill and the Local Elections (Proportional JRepjresentation) Bill. He thought the opinion of the local bodies should be obtained before Parliament decided to let the Bills go through as they were.

MENACE TO SECRECY

Mr G. W. Russell (Avon) pointed out that clause two of the measure was practically going to spoil the secrecy of elections, for, instead of the old method of the flap of the ballot paper being gummed down by the returning officer, a system of counter foils had been introduced. He wanted to know

what circumstances had occurred to warrant such a drastic change. The Hon. ,T. A. Millar (Dunedin West) agreed that this clause was going a long way to destroy the secrecy of the local elections. He could not agree to it as it stood. The Minister, in reply, said that the clauses of the Bill to which the member for Avon referred were copied word for word from the Legislature Act of 1908, under which the Parliamentary elections were held. The measure would not be finally passed through Parliament until the municipal conference had an opportunity of looking into both the Bills. Referring to local elections, he said tiie Government wanted, is possible, to embody in them all reasonable suggestions made by the conference. The Bill was read a second time.

NOTES FROM PARLIAMENT.

ELECTORAL ROLLS. The Leader of the Opposition (Sir Joseph Ward) said in the House tonight that he. had had complaints from all parts of the Dominion to the effect that forms of application for enrolment on the general election rolls could not be obtained. He had had scores of letters and many personal applications. The complaints did not come from the cities, but from the smaller towns, and the country districts. He would like very much to know whether the new system of enrolment by postmen and policemen was a success, he doubted whether it could be. ,No doubt it was economical, but the matter of cost was not always entitled to the final consideration.

Replying to this criticism later in the evening, the Minister in Charge of the Electoral Department (Hon. F. M. B. Fisher) said that the of enrolment was working out well. Mr Witty: Have they started? Mr Fisher: "Oh, yes! " Mr Witty: "Nobody's heard anything about it." Mr Fisher: It is behtg done so expeditiously and quietly that the hon. gentleman probably hasn't heard of it. • ARBOR DAT. Mr T. M. Wilford (Hutt) asked the Prime Minister this evening whether he could do anything so that civil servants, who had a holiday on Arbor Day in past years might have the same holiday this year. A prohibition had. been passed in regard to soino members of the general staff who formerly enjoyed the holiday. Mr Massey said that if the hon. gentleman would put a question on the Order Paper he would be prepared to answer it.

Mr Wilford: To-morrow is Arbor Day. Mr Massey said that an arrangement had been made by which Civil Servants would get the same number of holidays annually under the new arrangement as under the old. "SPRINGING THE SECRET." In the House last night, during the discussion of the Harbour Boards Bill, Sir Joseph Ward desired" to inform the Chamber of the fresh legislative councillors who were to deal with the measure. He had got out the name of Mr J. G. W. Aitken when he was called to order by the Speaker. "I thought, Mr Speaker," observed Sir Joseph, "you would like to hear who they were yourself.' Perhaps the, Hon. the Minister for Education would not object to hear the names." Mr Allen: Not at all.

Sir Joseph Ward: I am sorry I am prevented from imparting the information. I bo\v to your ruling Mr Speaker.

BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS PETITIONS.

The Speaker was again besieged today with petitions protesting against the introduction of the system of Bibleteaching in schools. There were 19 of these, the signatures totalling 8904. SKIM-MILK CHILDREN.

"We are living in a Country where women and"* children are sweated to death for the benefit of the large land ami stock-owners, the financial compares q,nd the banks, " said Mr Payne in the House this afternoon. "I see an lion, member 011 my left laughing," he continued, "but he might be interested to know that, what I say is true of his own district." An hori. member: What district • is that? Mr-Payne: Taranaki. There is a class of children there known as the '♦skimmilk children," who are sweated disgracefully. TRADE UNION FUNDS. ' Mr P. C. Webb (Grey) gave notice to ask the Minister of Labour whether he would introduce legislation this session to enable unions to use their accumulated funds as thev liked, whether for political purposes or otherwise. The question arises out of the recent, court decision that the, funds of one union cannot be devoted to the support of a strike instituted by a union in another trade. AN OPPOSITION PROTEST. Sir Joseph Want entered a, protest in the House this afternoon against the fact that the sitting had been commenced before the Order Paper for the day had been circulated. Several members called out that they had their papers, and it was noticeable that they were all on the Government side of the House. Sir .1. G. Ward: You'are 011 the favoured side.

Tho'"Speaker said that the Order Papers were 011 their way from the Printing Oflice. Mr G. W. Forbes (Hurunui): There is not a single Order Paper on this side.

The Prime Minister said that the .drawing-up the Order Paper lay with him, but that morning he had had to receive nine deputations, and it was almost 1 p.m. before he could attend to the paper. lie was very sorry if the delay had inconvenienced lion, members. Sir J. G. Ward (cheerfully): That's all right. (Laughter.) CUSTOMS LAW. The Hon. P. M. B. Fislier has given notice to ask leave to introduce the Customs Amendment Bill. THE NAPIER "SCANDAL.'' 111 answer to the charge levelled against the Pensions Department by Mr J. Vigor Brown (Napier) the other evening, the Minister in charge of the Department, the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher, brought before the House this after-* noon the record of Constable Charles James Steevens, who was last year transferred to the Pensions Department at Napier. It showed that Steevens joined the Police Force at Aucklaud in 1898, and resigned on his transfer to the Pensions Department on June'lU, 191.'!. In 1910 at Wellington he received a reward in connection with a conviction for taking'liquor iuto a no-licenfee district. The following year he got another reward for the arrest of two deserters at Wellington, and in 1912 he obtained the long service medal. In 1898 he was cautioned for not reporting to his act-ing-Sergeant that he had been called to an Auckland hotel. In 1900 he was admonished at the Thames for '' neglect \ in failing to report certain scandals"! concerning a constable after becoming j aware of the same.

A report was also received from the Commissioner of Pensions stating that Steevens was appointed Registrar at Napier some time after he had made, an application for transfer from the police. Having satisfied himself that Steevens had the requisite qualifications for the post the Commissioner got the necessary authority for the appointment, the Minister not knowing whom he had in his mind when the recommendation waß made.

"The chief thing against Steevens," Mr Fisher commented, "is that he once, refused to 'peach on a pal.' " "FULL OF LOAFERS." '' The Tory Party have the idea at the < back of their minds that the country is full of loafers who don't want to work. As a matter of fact there are twc/ kindSr of loafers who are a burden on modern society —the rich loafer who won 'fc work, and the poor worker who won't work. Before we condemn the latter class we should consider how it has been formed." —Mr J. Payne (Grey Lynn) in introducing his Right to Work Bill. A SCHOOL HOSTEL. [From our own Parliamentary Beporter.] WELLINGTON, July 15. Mr Tucker, the chairman of the Ashburton High School Board, Mr Davis, the Mayor, and Messrs W. Nosworthy, M.P., W. J. Dickie, M.P., and C. A. C. Hardy, M.L.C., waited on the Minister of Education to-day, and asked for a grant of £ISOO, and authority to borrow up to £4OOO, for the purpose of provid ing a school hostel. The Hon. Mr Allen said that similai applications were being made every week, and the question was one of expenditure. The request would be considered with the others, but the problem was a difficult one. Regarding the request for authority to raise a loan, he said an Order-in-Council could probably be arranged if the proper form of request were sent in.