PARLIAMENT.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 61, 6 July 1908, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIEi

FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1908.

In the Legislative Council the Hon. J. ,T. Taul resumed the debate on the Address-in,-JReply. He admitted that the Arbitration Act had partly broken down, but contended that it had not failed. He declared that the workers had been more loyal to the Act than the employers. He agreed that workers' wages had been increased, but so had the .cost of living. He quoted figures (supporting his statement.

The Hon. C. M. Luke was adverse to a local navy, but favoured an increased naval subsidy. He rejoiced at the advancement in the condition of the workers, and said they, should be given' opportunities for further advancement. He hoped the Arbitration Act would be kept, and that a judge of the Supreme Court would be retained as President. The Council adjourned p,t 4.40 p.m. till Wednesday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ju tne House oi Representatives, U.O WIHiIIqIIjU iU. 1/oUI iJOu,rU. liUoiu," lLLiu.cl.jii i'Xiili \Ml* Ai-ctj/ t OoipcuinjUa AUI ljuu •iuuuin.4inc;iii/ Jbiii 2 Fisuoi'/, una x-LOJiii/iwU j_ituuOur xiot Xt/Uo jLuu wero i Citd mbt time. 'JLiie usual sessional committees wore set up. On uio motion to set up the Public accounts uominittee Mr Massey said <tie uiougnt the Committee snouiu nave power to call for persons ana papers. Tne Minister for Finance (Sir Josepn Vvurd; said he could not uyrcc to give sucii powers to the uoirmiiLtee. There was no precedent tor it. Tne Prime Minister moved the second reuuing oi the Meikle Acquittal Bill. He reviewed the circumstances of the case, and thought that as an act of justice the House snouid pass the Bill. Mr' Massey (Leader of the Opposition) supported the Bill. Mr Hornsby (Wairarapa) opposed the Bill as he said that if the measure were made of a general character he would withdraw his opposition. In the meantime, he moved that the Bill be read the second time six months hence. Messrs Hanan, Herries, Baume, Lang, Barclay and Izard supported the Bill, and Messrs Remington Ngata, Malcolm, Arnold, Heke, Poole and H°SS opposed it." Some of the latter explained that they were actuated by the desire for a general Bill.

The Prime Minister pointed out that a general Bill was out of the question. The amount of compention suggested was £SOOO. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7,30. Sir Joseph Ward said he intended to put the Bill through. On division, Mr Hornsby's amendment was rejected by 40 to 10, and after a further brief discussion the second reading was carried by, 41 to 10, and the committee stages set down for next sitting day. The Prime Minister moved the second reading of the Incorporated Societies Bill, designed to make more adequate provision for the incorporation, control and dissolution of societies to which it related. The second reading was carried on the voices. On the Prime Minister's motion the second reading of the Society of Accountants Bill was agreed to. The Bill provides for the training and examining of members of the Society, but places no restrictions on nonmembers of the Society and permits members of incorporated societies outside the Dominion to be admitted without examination. The second reading of the Secret Commissions Bill, on the motion of the Prime Minister was agreed to. The chief provisions are that agents are not permitted to receive nor give such bribes. Mr McGowan, Minister for Justice, moved the second reading of the Coroners Amendment Bill, permitting coroners to hold an inquest without a jury unless they think a jury desirable or the Attorney-General ordered it. After a brief discussion the second reading was carried. The House rose at 9.40 p.m.