THE SESSION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 226, 24 September 1898, Page 2

THE SESSION.

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS IN

PARLIAMENT

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, Friday.

In the House this afternoon the following returns were ag-reed to: —As to Momahaka Experimental Farm (G. Hutchison); names of present holders of New Zealand Cross (G. Hutchison); return showing- voucher for £146 paid to secretary of Premier, in addition to grant of £ 1,750, to pay expenses of Premier's visit to London, and correspondence regarding payment of said £ 146 (G. Hutchison); return of amounts paid to each hospital in the colony for each year since 1885, show-* ing the voluntary contributions, payments for maintenance, and the contributions by the Government (Mr Guinness), DELAYED TELEGRAMS. No one would have the temerity to hint that the member for Wairarapa is a native of the first gem of the sea, yet this w^is the kind of question he put to the Postmaster-General to-day: 'Whether the Government intends reverting to the system of delayed telegrams owing to the great delay which now frequently takes place in the transmission of ordinary telegrams. The Postmaster General said no complaints had been received of delays in the delivery of ordinary telegrams; and the delayed sixpenny telegram could not be revived unless the shilling minimum for ordinary telegrams were restored. TOTALISATOR LICENSES. Mr Pirani asked the Colonial Secretary whether he intends to grant totalisator licenses to racing clubs which license bookmakers. Mr Carroll replied that on behalf of the general public he had been keeping "a watchful eye on the turn of events. He held a number of permits in suspense failing compliance with the conditions. He did not desire to interfere wth the management of the clubs with respect to licenses alreadyissued, but he would take the whole question into consideration before the next racing season ancl would be guided by results as to whether permits should be issued. PETITION OF ELIZABETH STAUNTON. In reply to Mr Bollard the Colonial Secretary said the recommendations of the Petitions Committee in the petition of Mrs Elizabeth Staunton, of Auckland, had not been submitted to the Cabinet; but it would be considered before the close of the session. COMPULSORY VACCINATION. Mr Graham asked whether the Government would abolish compulsory vaccination, thus making vaccination optional on the part of parents. The Colonial Secretary, in reply, said the question was becoming important, and there was a strong feeling against compulsory vaccinationIn the other Chamber the question had been as fully answered as the Government could answer it at present. The Government admitted the necessity for legislation on the subject and that the House should have an opportunity of discussing it; and no doubt thatchance would be given next session. It was necessary also to study the provisions of the Imperial Act. The Government could not interfere with the existing law, but it would take care that only pure lymph is used.

DARGAVILLE TELEGRAPH OFFICE

Mr Houston asked the PostmasterGeneral whether he will take the necessary steps to have the post and telegraph office in Dargaville removed to a more central position in the township. The Postmaster-General replied that at the time the present site was chosen Dargaville was a swamp. There was nothing to warrant the office being removed, but he would see what extra facilities in the way of post boxes, etc., could be provided for the convenience of business people. ROADMEN'S GRIEVANCE. Mr Herries. asked the Government whether roadmen in the thermal springs districts having control of a length of road over seven miles are obliged to keep a horse without receiving extra remuneration, and whether, seeing the bt.rren nature of the country, the Government will grant forage allowance. The Minister of Lands said the Government derived no advantage from the men keeping horses, and all itcould do was to ensure a fair rate of wages. It was quite possible, however, that there were cases of hardship and he would cause enquiry to be made. TELEPHONE TO TANGITERORIA. Mr Houston asked whether the Government will connect Dargaville with Tangiteroria by telephone. The Postmaster-General in reply said the work suggested would require 18 miles of line, at a cost of £ 720, and three post-offices would be served. The estimated revenue would be £16 per annum and the interest £83 a year. If the residents would guarantee a sum of £67 per annum the request would be complied with. COLONIAL ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY. Mr Joyce asked the Premier what steps have been taken by the Government ta' establish a Royal Humane Society for the colony. The Premier in reply said despatches hadbeen received to the effect that if a Humane Society were instituted in the colony on the same basis as the British Society the Queen will be advised to grant the title of Royal. He (the Premier) would submit for approval any regulations that might be drafted. He thought, however, the decoration should be granted for acta of bravery as well as for saving life. THE LOAN BILL, The Loan Bill was received by message from the Governor. Mr Montgomery desired some further information as to the character of the Bill before it was advanced through its early stages. The Premier said in accordance with the announcement in the Financial Statement the amount purposed to be borrowed was £500,000. The Bill was then read a first time, and the second reading appointed for next sitting day. FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF OLD AGE PENSIONS. At half past seven o'clock the House resumed in Committee on the consideration of the Old Age Pensions Bill, at the stage which had been reached at the previous sitting*. On clause 8, necessary qualifications, Mr Wason moved to strike out sub-section 1, which provides that the person must be resident in the colony on the date when he establishes his claim to the pension. After discussion the amendment was withdrawn.

Mr Herries moved to substitute the word 'delivers' for 'establishes' on the ground that the sub-section as it originally stood would disqualify seamen and others. The amendment was negatived without a division. Mr Lang proposed to strike out the word 'continuously' in the clause providing for a qualification of 21 years residence. His motion was negatived on a division by 40 to 20.

Mr Lethbridge moved to substitute 'twenty-five' instead of twenty years as!""the period of continuous residence. Carired by 37 to 25.

On the proviso that 'continuous residence' in the colony shall not be deemed to have been interrupted by occasional absences therefrom unless the total period of all such absence exceed eighteen months, Mr Geo. Hutchison moved to substitute two years for 18 months, which was agreed to. Mr Moore moved an amendment after the word 'months? to prevent the disqualification of 'shearers' who have not been absent more than an average of three months ber year during ten years immediately prior to their application for pension. Ayes, 25; Noes, 28. Amendment lost. Mr J. Hutcheson moved to prevent the disqualification of any seaman absent from the colony whilst serving on board a vessel registered in and trading to and from the colony, if he establishes the fact that during such absence his family or home was in the colony. Carried by 30 to 26. Mr Buchanan moved a further amendment as follows: 'Provided further that the period of two years of occasional absence before mentioned shall be increased by one month for every year of further residence.' Mr Tanner said some of the amendments were evidently intended to improve the Bill off the face of the earth. Though the measure was crude it was the best they had, and it ought to be allowed to pass. The amendment was neg-atived by 38 to 19. A long discussion took place on a further addition to the proviso to subsection 2, clause S, moved by Mr Rolleston, and which struck at the vital principle of the measure. The motion was to the effect that pensions shall ' be granted contingent upon the recipient having earned the allowance by having in his early years contributed to a "pension fund as a member of some friendly society, tradesmen's union, or private company, approved by the Government, premiums being paid in accordance with actuarial tables. At 1.20 Mr Kelly moved that progress be reported, which was lost by 29 to 27.