PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 231, 28 September 1915, Page 9

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY. .TJy Tdecrapb.—ParliameDtaiy Reports? WELLINGTON. Monday. THE FINAL RUSH. New Government measures are being hurried along, evidently with the seesion'e end in close preepect. To-night the following bills were read a first time:—Native Land Amendment and Native Land Gaims Adjustment Bill, and West Coast Settlement Reserves Amendment Bill (Hon. W. H. Herrieei, Gaming Amendment Bill, Auctioneer* Amendment Bill (Hon. G. W. Rueeell), Dairy Industry Amendment Bill, and Coal Mines Amendment Bill (Hon. W. D,

MacEkHiaJd). Four cthtr Government hliis were introduced by Governor's Me*sago. Ttfeee comprised a "bill to-amend tt« Prieone Act, *nd another which the Minister of Justice explained would make prori»ion for th* treatment of certain ciA«e» of prißoners in hospital. where they could be detained beTo»_ th« duration of their nentenre. A Rail■nay Authorisation Bill w» 8 introduced, thoujjh. aepording to the Minuter of Public Work*, it authorinee no new railways. The fourth bill is to make provision for pereone totally incapacitated from work owing to miner's phthisis.

PRISON REFORM. Power to classify prisoners into two grades is contained in the amendment of the Prisons Act introduced to-night. Persons eentenced to leas than seven days' imprisonment may be detained in a police station. The functions of the Prisons Board are to be enlarged so aa to make inquiry, at the Minister's request, ac to whether there are eufßcient ground* for granting the release on probation of any peraon (not an habitual criminal) undergoing sentence of more than 12 month*. In recommending the Governor to release any prisoner, the Board must, says the bill, bare regard to the safety of the public or of any class of persons, and to the welfare of the person whom it is proposed to releaee on probation.

PENSIONS FOR MINER'S PHTHISIS. The Miner's Phthisis Bill provides for a pension of £1 per week to a married rcan or' widower with children, and 15/ weekly in the caae of an unmarried man who haa been totally incapacitated by miner's phthieie contracted in New Zealand. To secure the pension, an applicant must be .of British nationality, have resided five year* in New Zealand, and worked as a miner for two and a-half year*. If any miner dies from the disease* hi* widow shall be entitled for two yeans to a pension of 12/6 weekly. A funeral payment not exceeding £20 is also authorised under the measure. The pension scheme is to be controlled by the Commissioner of Pensions, and those wno draw allowances will not be allowed to take advantage of the ordinary pensiorw. The ftcheme is to be financed from the portion of the gold duty paid to the Public Trustee *nd Crown appropriations made out of the Consolidated Fund.