PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 281, 25 November 1921, Page 6

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

NOTES FROM THE GAIXERY.

(By Telegraph —Parliamentary (Reporter.) WELLINGTON, ThursAav. LIBERALS' LABOUR LEGISLATION.

The Premier was asked by Mr. P. jPraser what was the attitude of the Government towards Part 13 of the Treaties of Peace dealing with international conferences. He replied that it had not been necessary to take action for representation. The plain truth was that New Zealand was far and away ahead Of Other countries in the matter of Labour laws. Mr. Witty: That is a compliment to the legislation of the Liberals. Mr. Massey added that very little would be gained by representation, and large expenditure would be involved. FOR MEMBERS ONLY. 1 Ha-bitues of the Parliamentary Chamber are familiar with the voices of members and officers. Consequently during a rather perfunctory debate■ on the part of the committee to-day they were surprised by an unusual voice, uhiUi investigation showed to be coming from the front row of the Speaker » Gallery. Several members had discussed The merits of a Chrietcnuroh pet.tiou from a railway servant for compensation arising out of a transfer to a le«er position, which was criticised as one o fhe hardy annuals. Mr. Howard, one of the committee, said he had mvesfgated the claim considerably biased _in its favour, but had been convinced that the petitioner had no claim whatever. Mr. Isitt added that petitions such.as these, which were presented yearly without fresh evidence, should receive scant consideration. ~, ... At this stage petitioner, an aged indmdual, probably realising that h.s ca.e was up rose in the gallery and appealed: '•Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I am the sufferer, and would '.ike to reply. He got no further in his initial attempt at Parliament, for the long arm of an attendant reached out, and he was quickly removed. - FAMILIES PROTECTION*. An amendment to the Families' Protection Act was introduced in the Illative Council by Sir F. D. Bel . The principal Aft provide that *PPl'«**°£ by parties c'.aimiiK its benefits n, u .,t be made within twelve m<^ 8 *™ ra **? date of the granting of probate, bat that the Court may extend the time tor a further twelve months after hearing auch of the parties a.s it thinks necessary. The Amending Bill leaves the period , of extension to the -discretion ot the Court, tot requires that all applications for extension mufit be made before the finaj distribution of estate. ELECTORAL CHAFES. The Boundaries' Commission has issued details of the population in each electorate, according to the proposed new boundaries. It has allocated the city seats apparently on the bast; of a minimum population of 18 000, while-tue country constituencies have lower totals owiriia to the operation of the country quota. The new Waik'ato constituency has a population of 14,327. the Prime MinVtcrs electorate, Franklin, contains 15,735, while the smallc-.-t constituency, from a popu'iition viewpoint, is Clutha, containing J 3,319 persons. ECONOMY IX DEKEXOE. Mr. Ma,V.-o'in (Clutha) has srwrgested to the Government that they take the opportunity given 'by the refers ing of the estimates to the Public Accounts Ocmmit.tee to reduce the Defence estimates by cutting out the proposed expending on territorial training. ENKORCEMEXT OF ORDERS. The Maintenance Order Facilities for Enforcement 15i!l has been repoited from the Statutes Revision Committee, with a provi iun fur the appointment of officers to take proceedings f or the recovery of money* payable urd.-?r maintenance orders payment of which is at least 14 days ove due. DOMESTIC IMMIGRANTS. Burn? the period April 1, IP2I to October 31, 1021. out of :!4(ili ininrgrantj who ariived in New Zealand, 392 were domestic servant-. SCHOOLS' COMAIfTTEE EXPKXDIT-JRK. The Minister t>f Education was asked by Mr. W. IT. Parry (Auckland Central) whether, in view of the report of the City Schools Committee to the Auckland Education Board, regarding Heresford Street school and emphasising the hardships su.Ured l.y the children in consequence of the Onlor-in-Council governing incidental expenditure, he would withdraw the order.

Mr. Parr said there was no hardship. It hud been found tha; the committee, out ot t.ic grant which was intended to cover sanitation, RtJiool cleaning and re- < pairs, were supplying free stationery I and in some cases free books. It became ' necessary to frame resolutions making it compulsory on the committees to sp?nd the money in the first instance for the I purpose for which it was intended. if I there was any balance left the committee i could spend it on free stationery. The ironey Was not intended to supply free appliances to the children. Some committees bad endeavoured to do so, and had neplreted the main function. Complaint had been made that the grant Was too small. Four years ago the total I amount was £45.000, and" now it* was I »°- ono - X , fo«' nd ~v examination I of l1:p comir.i b:il;in<-e-shcefs that by j pru.-icnt maiifi-rempnt some committees ! managed quite well, and in some cases bad substantial bal.-.r.ces. | LIMBLESS SOLDIERS. | The .Acting Minister of Railways, when ' questioned to-day regarding free rail facilities fer limbless soldiers. . s a:d the Department had only granted the parses to men who had lost two lees, enat-lin" them to travel tr, and from "their v.-ork" > It was not intended to prant passes for general travel or for those who had lost only one linrb. Mr. R. Kellett remarked that the former Ministerial statement had been misleading, and a number of i applications for concessions had been made. TEACHERS' SUPERANNUATION. The Minister of Education was reminded by Mr. S. G. Smith that amendments had been promised to the Teachers Superannuation Act. but as yet nothing! had been announced 9about "the matter ! this session. Th c Hon. C. J. Parr inti- i mated that amendments to deal with '' various anomalies had been drafted and i approved by him. They had been sent j to the Minister in charge of the Super- j 1 annuation Amendment Bill, and through that medium they would be presented ' to the House. j