PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8594, 22 September 1893, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

THE ARBITRATION BILL VIRTUaIIy rejected. [By Telegraph.] (jbom our spbcial coebespondbst.) WELLINGTON, September 21. The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill virtually received its quietus in the Council this afternoon, when Clause 47, which contains the crux ofathe Bill in regard to arbitration, inasmuch as it provides for the setting up of Courts of Arbitration for the whole colony fo*| the settlement of industrial disputes, wastatruck out. The Council, therefore, repeated their action of last session on this very measure, and though conferences may be asked for it is almost hopeless to expect that a satisfactory compromise will be arrived at. Singularly enough the last batch of nominees made to the Council gave a block vote with the Government on this occasion. With the exception of a few hnimyortant amendments made by the Labour Bills Committee, clauses 1 to 28 passed without discussion. On clause 29, which provides that when a matter is referred to a Board or Court no strike or lock-out is to take place till a decision is given, Mr Stevens pointed out that there was no power bo make this effective, with which Mr Oliver agreed, and suggested that the only way to provide against ib was by inserting provision that unions should have a by-law, voluntarily binding themselves not to go out on strike while a dispute is under consideration. This, however, ib was pointed out, would only bind one party, and that was an acknowledged weakness of the proposed amendment. Mr Shrimski moved to strike out and Sir G. Whitmore to postpone the clause, bub both .were lo3t, and the clause passed. On getting to clause 42, Sir G. Whitmore proposed an amendment by which lawyers were absolutely debarred from appealing or being heard before the Board, as in his opinion there was too much litigation caused by multiplicity of lawyers. Sir P. Buckley defended his profession, and said a great deal ot time would be saVed to the country by having counsel to conduct the examination. The amendment was lost on the voices. On clause 43, Sir G. Whitmore drew attention to the omission of a provision for secrecy on the part of the Conciliation Board. Mr Montgomery (who was in charge of bhe Bill) agreed bo iuserb bhe necessary words, for which purpose the clause was postponed. When the arbitration clauses were reached Mr Stevens suggested that ab thab stage ib would be well to consider the position in view of the fact that bhe compulsory clauses had been Bbruck out. He was againeb compulsion, and considered a Board of Conciliation sufficient for a start. If no one else would be prepared to move to strike out the arbitration clauses altogether he would. Sir G. Whitmore moved to strike out clause 47, which provides for creating of courts of arbitration. Mr Rigg said there were only two roads, one to auarchy and the other to state socialism, and it waa to this latter that the Bill led. He was against anarchy, and wanted to see people treated with justice not with Gat Ling guns, which some day might be in the hands of bhe people, and that would put a differenb face on the matter. Mr Bowen deprecated this talk of Gatling guns. He had enough belief in the commonsense of Englishmen to believe they would accept conciliation. Mr McCullough while not agreeing with all the' clauses was in favour of compulsory arbitration. The clause was struck out by 20 to 17. Mr Monbgomery at once moved to reporb progress to allow of time to remodel some of the conciliation interpretation clauses, in accordance wibh the decision of the Council to have nothing to do wibh Courts of Arbibrabion. JOTTINGS. There were twenty-two petitions from the Natives during the session, bearing 3.360 signabures, against the Government Native Land Acquisition Bill. The jjyhole-zh&ve been referred to the Govern-tent By the Native Affairs Commitbee for its- consideration. The Joint Stock Committee have been considering the Drainage Bill and have amended ib to. give the local authoribies power to borrow from the Government up to a fourth of the fee simple of the land to be drained. Power is also given to take drains through Native lauds and to rate sucli lands for drainage purposes. The Premier indignantly denies that the Civil Servants of the colony are creatures of the Ministers, and is surprised that any hon. member should have the audacity to make such a statement.

Mr T. Mackenzie says that the member for Wairau nob only voted for the Railway Bill, to which he was opposed, bub whipped the Government supporters to vote for it. Mr Dawson, a Government supporter, who voted against several of the most objectionable features of the Railway Bill, in Committee vobed against the third reading. He said he had voted for the second reading because he believed the Bill could be amended in Committee. It could only lead to jobbery and corruption. According co Mr T. Mackenzie, there is an actual majority of the House against the Railway Bill, but the Government supporters feared to vote against ib. Mr McGuire says thab everyone who has occasion to use the railways is satisfied with the management of the Commissioners. Mr Rolleston contends that three better servants of the State as opposed to mere servants of the Ministry could not be appointed than the present Railway Commissioners.

The Premier says that in the Chambers the commerce of New Zealand is nob represented, and the farmers and settlers are not represented .by the Agricultural and Pastoral Societies.

Mr Fergus has no doubt the "Railway Bill will be repealed next session as a result of the general election.} Mr Carncross says that until this session he believed that they could nob obtain from the Railway Commissioners information desired. His experience this session had shown him they could get any information they wanted. - Mr Guinness quoted last night as a reason for abolishing the Railway Commissioners the faot that a chemist on the West Coasb had told the Greymoubh Harbour Board that owing to the running of the trains he would no longer take out a quarterly ticket. The Railway BUI was immediately passed. In the Premier's opinion the Ministry which creabed the Railway Commissioners was the most incompetent this country has ever had. It had but one competent man, and he was sick.

Tho Opposition Whips, incensed at the frequent breaking of pairs throughout the session by the Government party when important divisions were called on, have determined not to pair any of their party with a Government supporter for the remaindei of the session.

Now that the Railway Bill is through the Lower House, -peculation is rife as to what the Council will do with it. Those who have been diligent in making inquiries say the card has been pricked, with the result that the Bill will be thrown out.

"Try conciliation first, and if that does not prove sati-factory approach Parliament in in a session or two with a demand for compulsory arbitration" was the attitude taken up by those members of the Council who deleted the main provisions of the Industrial Conciliation Arbitration Bill..

Tha Privileges Committee of the Council will report that control and appointment of Parliamentary officers should remain with the Speaker of that Chamber, and not in the hands of the Ministry of the day.