PARLIAMENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8250, 22 September 1915, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

(Per Press Association). Various Bills. WELLINGTON, September 21. | | In the liouso of Representatives j to-night, The Savings Banks Act Amendment Bill and the Fruit Preserving Industry Act Amendment Bill were, put through. Committee without amendment. In Committee on the Scenery Preservation Act Amendment Bill, The Prime Minister said the Bill did not propose to destroy any of our soonic reserves, but the position was that there was no legal power to enable prospecting to be done on any of these reserves. In some cases it was known that gold-bearing reefs existed on scenic reserves, and it was considered advisable to permit prospecting to take place on these reserves. He acknowledged the great service rendered to scenery preservation by Mr Ell. The Swamp Drainage Bill passed through Committee with unimportant amendments.

The National Provident Fund Amendment Bill was taken in, Committed.

The' Hon. Mr Myers explained that the Bill did not touch the questions in which friendly societies were interested; the Bill merely extended the time in which local bodies might come under the superannuation clauses of the original Act.

Mr Harris moved that no sum of money be paid to any person by way of commission unless such person is permanently' employed in the interests of the National Provident Fund.

Mr Anderson said, although he was an ardent supporter of friendly societies, ho thought the amendment unwise. There was really, no need for friction between the societies and the National Fund, and the payment of bonuses was always a good thing for any business.

The Hon. A. M. Myers said his colleague the Hon. J.A. Hanan was looking into the question from the friendly societies' point of view. His (Mr Myers) duty would be to look into it from the National Fund point of view, and when they had enquired into it, legislation would be introduced next session. He suggested the withdrawal of the amendment.

Mr Parr expressed the opinion that even ttaa friendly societies would not thank the House for piecemeal legislation on the subject. ,

The Prime Minister said he was prepared to recommend the Ministers in charge of the respective Departments to .call a conference of representatives of the societies and the Government to go into the whole question of their relations. It would not be done this session, but ho would do it during the recess.

The amendment moved by Mr Harris was then lost on -the y.oiccs, and the Bill "was reported' without amendment.

The House then ■'went into Committee on the War Funds Bill.

Mr Witty asked that some provision should be made to prevent irresponsible persons collecting funds. Everyone collecting should nave to produoe his authority if required.

The Hon. A. L. Herdman said there wore difficulties in the -way, but if a satisfactory clause could be drafted, he would ask the .House to consider it.

The Bill was \passed with amendments moved by the. Minister.

Th? Savings Bank Act) Amendment Bill and Fruit Preserving Industry Act Amendment Bill wore read a third time and passed.

The Scenery Preservation Act Amendment Bill, the Swamp Drainage Bill, and the National Provident Fund Bill were read a third time and passed. The Hon. W. Fraser "moved the second reading of the Local Railways Act Amendment Bill, which he cxl plained was only a technical .measure i necessary to correct an omission in the Act of last year, which did not permit in all cases the local railway to con- J nect with the Government railway. ' The second reading was agreed to on tho voices. The Hon. James Allen moved the second reading of the Military Manoeuvres Bill, .explaining that it gave the Government power to take land for camps, etc., and was largely, based on the Imperial Statute. The second reading was carried. The Discharged Soldiers Settlement Bill was introduced by Governor's Message, read a first time, and referred to the Lands Committee. •The House rose at 11 p..m.