PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 159, 7 July 1926, Page 10

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

UNLAWFULLY ON PREMISES. POLICE OFFENCES ACT. WOMEN PKESS AMENDMENT. (By Xelesraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. A deficiency in. Hie Police Offences Act, which an am end men t now beforn Parliament seeks to remedy, was explained by Hon. F. J. lvolleston, Minister of Justice, to the House to-night. It provides that the original clause, creating an offence lor being found by night on property without lawful excuse, is amended by substituting the words "by night" for the words "at any time." This had been asked for by a number of women's societies, and arose through a Christchurch case where a man was concealed on certain premises during the day when there were no men about. lie could not be said to be there with lawful excuse, but the only remedy under the present condition of the law was an action for trespass. The bill was read a second time, and will be referred to the Statutes Revision Committee for the taking of evidence. Reflectors on Bicycles. An amendment of the Police Offences Act, now before Parliament, will give Mr. T. K. Sidey (Dunedin South) an opportunity to move, in committee, a clause to enforce the use of reflectors on the rear of bicycles. He urged in the House to-night that it wAs more important for cyclists to have a rear reflector on their machines than to carry a headlight, as their danger came from overtaking motor traffic. Everyone who drove a car knew the difficulty of seeing a cyclist at night, and. it would be to the interest of cyclists to make the carrying of a rear reflector compulsory. Qualified Veterinarians. The Minister of Agriculture, in moving the second reading of the Veterinary Burgeons Bill, said the Department of Agriculture held a strong opinion that veterinarians should be registered, owing to the large quantity of valuable stock in Xew Zealand. Unless qualified men were registered and unqualified persons controlled, there would be no encouragement to young well-trained veterinarians to come to New Zealand. Replying to a question the Hon. O. J. Hawken stated there was no school for training veterinarians in. New Zealand. Mr. H. E. Holland, Leader of the Opposition, expressed the hope that opportunities would be given to train these" men in the Dominion. Existing practi- . tioners were to continue, but without the right of calling themselves veterinarians. Why not submit them to examination and give them the right of registration? Hon. A. D. McLeod, Minister of Lands, said that in practice it was found that unqualified men could only work within a limited sphere, and no hardship would result. Hon. D. Buddo pointed out that veterinarians could be trained at Lincoln College, which had a veterinary surgeon on its staff. Replying, the Minister said there was nothing in the bill to prevent anyone now practising from carrying on, so long as the term veterinary surgeon was not used when the person was not properly entitled to it. The bill was read a second time. Other Bills. The Cook Islands Amendment Bill (Hon. Sir Maui Pomare) was read a first time. The Evidence Amendment Bill, a purely technical measure, was read a second time. The Budget on Thursday. To-morrow (Wednesday) is private members' day, and Government bills will be introduced when the business is dealt with. On Thursday the Budget will be introduced at 7.30 p.m., and Sir Frank Heath's report on Scientific Research, as applied to industry, will be considered. On Friday,. Government Bills will follow. On Tuesday the debate on the Budget will be taken at 7.30. The Prime Minister made the announcement at 11.30 p.m., when the House adjourned. Summer-time Bill. At the head of the list of private members' bills, this session, is Mr. T. K. Sidey's annual summe-time bill. It had gradually won additional support outside Parliament, and a large deputation will put a favourable case to the Prime Minister oh Wednesday morning. During the last three months over 112 local bodies, including industrial associations have passed resolutions in favour of daylight saving, and Mr. bidey claims that the late Minister of Agriculture, Hon. W. Noswortliy, was a convert. A new Parliament is always material for an interesting test, ami the opportunity comes on Wednesday. for Mr. Sidey's bill then comes up lor its second reading. The mover is unable to predict the result of the division, but he declares that he has a sporting chance. Cost of Pensions. Ten classes of pensions constitute a charge on the State's funds, and the total outlay last year was £2,489,578. The largest items are: War pensions £1,185,101; old age, £903.577; widows , ', £286,450; and the cost per head of European population is fl IC/9. The liberalising of the pensions system last session caused additional payments of £145,800. With several months of the first year still to be recorded, the total actual increases due to the amendment in the law of 1924 and 192.3 exceed £290,000. The annual cost of administration is 2.49 "per cent, which the Minister in Charge of the Department, Hon. G. J. Anderson, told the House is exceedingly small. War Pensions. The War Pension Appeal Board last year dismisEC-'. 227 appeals, ~ud upheld IC7. The operation of the economic pension, which is payable to partly disabled soldiers and others enabling them to make up their income to a living wage, have enabled the following grajits to be made: Soldiers with permanent ] ensiors 270, annual value £18,511; soldiers with temporary pensions, 811, annual value £55,588; widows with children 114, annual value £3327; widows without children 25, annual value £810; widowed mothers 179, annual value £5192. The medical treatment of war pensioners cost £93,589. Permanent pensions to soldjers increased by 011. There were 131 deaths of soldier pensioners. Epidemic Pensions. Pensions which were instituted during tlie influenza, epidemic in 1918 now total 313, involving un annual liability of £11,802. The gro»d expenditure under this head decreased last year by £8559.

Congratulations on Knighthood. One of those pleasant interludes away from the course of ordinary Parliamentary business this afternoon was the congratulation of Sir Charles Statham (Speaker of the House) upon his knighthood. The Prime Minister expressed the pleasure of members and asked that their congratulations be conveyed also to Lady Statham. He hoped that Mr. Speaker would be able, not only to carry on his good work in the House, but that lie and Lady Statham would have many years of happiness. Endorsing these remarks Mr. H. E. Holland (Leader of the Opposition) declared that members realised the marked ability of Sir Charles Statham, and the added prestige which had been given to Parliament by his Speakership. The Nationalist party, said Mr. Forbes, was also pleased at the distinction conferred on the Speaker, because they recognised that it was merited. Sir Charles Statham. in returning thanks, said that members knew that the honour came to the holder of the office for the time being. When he heard members' flattering remarks about his work he felt the diffidence common to all members which caused him some embarrassment. He hoped that he would do nothing which would in any way detract from the dignity and honour of Parliament.