THE SESSION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 154, 5 August 1914, Page 8

THE SESSION.

SOME SECOND READINGS SMALL MEASURES DISCUSSED* CUSTOMS BILL. \> '**• The Customs Amendment Bill (Hon. Mr Fisher) was introduced by Governor's Message. In reply to Mr G. W. Russell (Avon) the Minister said that the' Fill was &.-. purely technical one of three only. The Bill was read a first time.. CIVIL SERVANTS* GUARANTEE U REPEAL. The Hon. A. L. Herdman moved the second reading of the Civil Service Officers Guarantee Repeal Bill. He said that the measure repealed the system under which the whole service was called upon to make up defalcations of individual members of the Public SerV vice. Sir Joseph Ward supported the Bill, and offered the suggestion that a sys- - tem of fidelity guarantee should be adopted in the service. The Bill was read a second time on . the voices. :\ PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTA- " TION. BILL FOR LOCAL BODIES. The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher moved the second reading of the Local Elections (Proportional Representation) Bill. He> : •■■said'that'-some local bodies had objected. ; to the measure because they could not understand some of the schedules. This was no more a reason for the rejection, of the proposal of the Bill than that a person should refuse to travel in a rail* : way train because he did not understand the mechanism of the locomotive. The system of voting proposed in the Bill was the Tasmanian system, -witk certain amendments. All that was 'asked was that the electors should exercise : some degree of intelligence. The effect of the Bill would be valuable in that it gave local bodies the opportunity of showing what proportional representation really means. If it were a success it would probably be widely adopted, and would become the general method of election in the Dominion. Mr A. E. Glover (Auckland Central).: ;" They don't want it. Mr Fisher: You probably refer to the Auckland City Council. Mr Glover: I do. * Mr Fisher: Well, I rely on the local bodies and the electors to show, some measure of intelligence. Mr Glover: They're very intelligent up there. (Laughter.) Mr Fisher: I doubt it. Their intelligence is reflected in the hon. member for Auckland Central. I dare say he very well represents the sparkling, waters of the Waitemata, and the lovely: city which sits beside them. , (Loud laughter.) . Mr G. Witty (Riccartqn) asked the Minister if he proposed..to apply the, principle, of proportional representation to Parliamentary elections. , .. Mr Fisher: Not at present. I wish, to see the result of the experiment as carried out by other bodies. Mr Witty: Trying it on the dog. Mr Fisher: You might call it so. But I believe the experiment should be tried first with the less important bodies. .... Mr Witty: Is that why you are trying it on the Legislative Council? Mr Fisher: I certainly believe, that the Legislative Council is a less important body than the House elected as the representatives of the people. :Mr.G. W. Russell (Avon) supported the* second reading of the measure, and expressed the;- opinion that if>it; were carried the;.iChristchurc]u:.''^i^/. ; ipouneil would be one of the first bodies;>to be elected under the ;new system. .Proportional representation was veryicdmplicated, and" he thought that "before the system was finally adopted, it should be fully considered by a committee, which could hear expert evidence on the question. " . ■ The Bill was read a second time. IMMIGRATION RESTRICTION. ) PROBLEM. In moving the second reading of the Immigration Restriction Amendment Bill, the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher explained that in order to prevent 'undesirable Asiatics and others from coming into, the Dominion without undergoing » genuine test, it was proposed that in future the education test should be read by the Customs officer and written' to his dictation by the immigrant.. The Minister explained that at present the Asiatic, say, could write out the test piece though he might not know a word of its meaning. Last year 118 Asiatics sat for the education test and 100 passed it? One of the unfortunate features was that many of these people, after getting through, the Customs, applied to the Government for work. Another matter which it was desired to prevent was the entering of persons suffering from contagious diseases. In the past many such people had come here seeking health, and a large number of then! became a burden to the State, in addition to being a menace to the publie health. The Bill, explained the Min- i ister, had been submitted to the Imperial Government, and no exception had been taken to any of its provisions. Sir Joseph Ward expressed the opinion that under the Bill a New Zealanderf by birth who had left the country, and after a number of years' absence returned say, from consumption should not be debarred from coming to his OAvn country* The Minister said that under such. circumstances an ex-New Zealander j would always be allowed to return to/ New Zealand provided he could show;/ that he was native-born and had pro perty in the country. i The Bill was read a second time. | -—• r. • EARLY ADJOURNMENT. At 4.55 p.m., the Prime Ministel moved the adjournment of the House,) observing that he did not intend toj [ask members, whom he knew were not! in the mood for it, to go on with any} , contentious business. A The House then rose till 2.30 p.m. to- 7 [ morrow. PRIVATE BILLS. V The Presbyterian Church Property) Act, 1885, Amendment Bill (Mr G-. M2i Thomson), and the Methodist Charitable*] and .Educational Trusts Act Amendments Bill (Mr J. Bollard) were read a third/ time and passed. i RICCARTON BUSK. | The Riccarton Bush Bill (Mr T. H.' Davey) was introduced and read a iirat time.