PARLIAMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 238, 5 October 1908, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (By Telegraph.—Parltian«*UrT Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Legislative Council met at 11 •'clock this morning. NATIONAL DEFENCE. The Hon. Uigg gave notice to moT* that a committee be set tip to consider ana report on the best means of providing a national system of defence. PENSIONS. The Old Age Pensions Act Amendment Bill was read a first and second time. INFANT LIFE. The Attorney-General moved the second reading of the Infants' Life Protection Act Amendment BUI. In so doing he referred to the good work done by the Karitane' Home, in Dunedin. and Wellington. This was gratifying Lady Plunket, its president, had informed him that daring 12 months In Dunedin 430 infant? had been attended to by the nurses, aiad only 10 deaths occurred. In Auckland, in six months, 121 cases had been visited, and there had been only two deaths. Equally satisfactory results were experienced at Napier when it was remembered that 300 of iliese infants were seriously ill when the nurses -were called in. The gravest problem New Zealand haif to ta.ee was the fulling birth rate. The bill- was read a second time, put through committee,, and passed. REGISTRATION. The committee appointed to inquire into the registration of births, deaths and marriages, recommended postponei iiitnt till next session. Tills was agreed to. A BELATED LEGISLATOR. "King" Mahuta was present at the sitting of the Council this morning, for the first time this session.