HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXI, Issue 7934, 16 December 1909, Page 4

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

WELLINGTON, December 15. , QUESTIONS. In the House this afternoon, Mirtisters, replying to questions, stated that owing to the changes effected and contemplated m the various Departments, it-has not been possible, to complete the classification of the Civil' Service, but as' soon as the final departmental arrangement's have been made matters will be further considered; Mr Justice Ed wards' s remarks: m connection with the recent case of iisury m Auckland had not heon specially brought before the Premier, but the matter will receive consideration during recess; that it is inadvisable to restore the right of holders of small grazing runs to exchange their leases for:j leases m per--petuity, which was given tinder the Land Act, 1890 and taken away by the Land Acli. 1907, as the results of such exchanges were not satisfactory: that a BSard. will be appointed to'mako enquiries m both Islands as to suitable localities for training camps,"r and -representations that these be situated not, less, than,,s miles from a licensed house will be fully considered; that an amendment of the Old 'Age Pensions Act, exempting the cottages of sioners from the limit of the property allowed to bo held, will be given, effect to this session. KING COUNTRY LICENSES BILL. 'The Premier gave notice that he would introduce a King Country Licenses Bill, which he intended should bo passed this session. The remainder of the afternoon was occupied m a discussion on answers to questions, and the House rose at 5.30. p.m. . The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS BILL. Tho Managers appointed by the House to conduct the second conference upon the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Bill reported that they had met the Managers appointed by the Legislative Coiiiicil, and had come to an agreement. The report was agreed to. COAL MINES BILL. The Coal Mines Act Amendment Bill was considered m Committee. Mr Herdman moved an amendment providing for placing tho Mines Department on the same footing as a private firm m 'regard to. accidents occurring m carrying on its various branches, so that it may bo sued m connection therewith, thus, repealing, so far as the Department' was concerned, the clause m the Crown Suits [Act which debars such suitsT" ' . j ThS'l.Miiiister' s.opposecl '.the amendment' "as.'-.being tbo „'important,'important 'tcF^W dealt with jit:/this 8i11..... .■,.-.<-. •■-■;■> The 'Chairman of Committees ruled that'the. amendment was an appropriation' "bla'use,"as"it"proposed (i£6 'increase the liabilityrof; ;tho: CfGwrt;' and. ; it was not, therefore, in-o|-der. ' " ■••■■■■• . A motion by Mr Massey to report progress m order to take ri ho Speaker's opinion on the Chairman's ruling was lost by 37 votes to 31. Mr Massey moved an amendment to the effect that the Minister of Mines may sue and be sued m connection with all disputes arising out. of the working of the Department, all costs thereof to be paid out of moneys to be appropriated for the purpose. The Hon. R. McKenzie held that the amendment was tho same m substance as the previous one. The Chairman ruled the amendment out of order. * Mr Massey moved to report progress m order to take the Speaker's ruling on the point. The Hon. J. A. Millar took exception to these attempts to amend the Crown Suits Act by amending another Act. The motion was lost by 37 votes to, 32. On the Bill being reported with amendments, Mr Massey moved that the Bill be re-committed for the purpose of inserting a clause embodying the principle of his amendment ; but this was ruled out of order by the Speaker, and the Bill was read a third time and.passed PUBLIC WORKS ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The Public Works Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. NATIVE LAND BILL. The Native Land Bill was then considered m Committee. WELLINGTON, December 16. After 2 o'clock the House spent most of the time m discussing motions to report progress on the Public Works Amendment Bill, which was passed through the! committee stage, minus Clause 13, which was struck out on the motion of the Minister. The House rose at 5.15 a.m.