INCORPORATED SOCIETIES BILL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 241, 4 July 1908, Page 7

INCORPORATED SOCIETIES BILL.

Tho PRIME MINISTER moved tho second reading of tho Incorporated Sooietios Bill. In explaining tho provisions of tho Bill tho Premier urged tho necessity of. impressing ujpon many friendly societies their obligation in respect to sending in their, returns. Mr. J. STEVENS suggested' that racing clubs came under tho provisions of the Bill. Tho second reading was carried. . NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS DILL. The PRIME MINISTER moved the second reading of the New Zealand Society, of Accountants Bill. The Bill, he said, did not seek to prevent an accountant not registered from carrying on his business. It was to givo a' status to njembers. The purpose of the Bill was to establish a corporate body of qualified accountants, and to promote the interests and status of accountants generally. Mr. AITKEN said that even with a hasty inspection' 7 ho could see tho Bill was on' tho right, lines. Ho showed tho great extent to ivhich tho public Averq clependenfc.-'ugpn accountants. In tho initiation of legislation of this kind, however, thoro would be some men admitted to its benefits with but poor practical knowledge,' and' others, efficient, who would lie excluded. (Hear, hear.) The measure, however, was on the right lines, and ho indicated how it could bo improved to overcome the difficulties he had cited. The second reading was carried. SECRET COMMISSIONS BILL. The PRIME MINISTER moved tho second reading of tho Secret Commissions Bill. It was, ho said, framed largely as. the result of a recommendation of Mr, Justice Cooper, who had had befors him in Wellington a caso in connection vrith a public Home. Tho Bill was an important one, and he hopod it would pass. Mr. T. MACKENZIE explained tho necessity for overcoming also tho "rebate" , system. This system was largoly responsible for monopolies, and ho instanced "tho raising of the price of sugar. They should, ho suggested, deal first with this larger question of rebates and .afterwards with tho smaller matter of Secret Commissions. At the samo time, lie recognised the valuo of the Bill. Mr. IZARD asked whether tin Bill would cover "American bets."'

The PRIME MINISTER: What is that?

Mr. IZARD explained, and hoped the Bil ■would be made to cover'this rery worsl form of tho secret commission system. -

' Mr. FISHER suggested that "agent" ipjder the Bill should uot only mean tho person interested undor tho Bill, but also his agent or partner. . The PRIME MINISTER said .the Bill woiild do what Mr. Fisher desired. Ho re*

cognisod tho perniciousnews cf the whole system. Tho second reading was tarried.

CORONERS AMENDMENT BILL,

Tho MINISTER FOR JUSTICE (Hon. J. M'Gowan) moved tho second Heading'of tho Coroners Amendment Bill. In the course of

his speech ho drew, attention to the provision allowing a representative of c.ll industrial union .of- -which - tho deceased person is a member to attend, if desired, and examine witnesses. This would bq appreciated in mining districts. .Tho PRIME MINISTER (Sir Joseph Ward), speaking to a point raised by Mr. Massey, said that tho Bill, in common with others, would not ho brought to its final stages until tho Consolidated' Statutes wero passed.

Mr. MASSEY suggested that an exception to the power to hold an inquest without a jury should, be'mado in the case of imperfectly qualified coroners in remote districts. MR. T.' M. WILFORD (Hutt) spoke strongly against coronors' juries. An inquest, as at present conducted, was often a fishing expedition by the Crown and tho polica to find out what sort of a, case they had against an, accused person. The only question for the' coroner should bo the cause of death—e.g., on account of a gunshot wound, 110 matter —to the coroner by whom fired. The body should bo viewed by tho coroner or jury, if no doctor was present. Ho approved of the payment of witnesses. MR. C. 11. IZARD (Wellington North) supported the Bill. - Mr F 15. BAUME (Auckland East) contended (that a Justice of tho Peace should not be"allowed, to hold an inquest without-a jury. He would not opposo the Bui, but would seek -to make minor amendments m committee,. . Sir WILLIAM STEWARD (Waimate) argued that juries and tho viewing of the body might, sometimes be a valuablo precaution. He instanced cases in'his own, distnst 111 the early days in which a bundle of sheepskins and a goriila would have been _ the subjects of-inquests, had they not been "viewed." ■ . , ~ Tho second reading was carried on tno voices.

SECRET COMMISSIONS BILL. On the motion of the PRIME MINISTER, ;ho Secret Commissions Bill was referred :o the Industries and Commerce Committee. .The House roso at 9.40 p.m.