THE HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 322, 8 October 1908, Page 9

THE HOUSE.

The House met at 2.30 p.m., the afternoon being devoted to a discussion 011 Ministerial replies to questions of members. END OF THE SESSION. When the House resumed at 7,30 p.m., The PRIME MINISTER, in accordance wjth notico given the previous day, moved that on and after Wednesday (yesterday) tho Standing Orders be suspended to enable new business to bo dealt with after 12.30 o'clock at night, Mr. Massey objected to tho proposal. Tho Prime Ministor replied that he could not understan dthis objection. Ho was oniy proposing what was usual. Mr. MASSEY replied that the carrying of the motion meant that Bills could be taken at 3 o'clock in the morning, and put through the House. This had not been dono for years. Tho Primo Minister retorted that it had

been dono repeatedly. Ho repudiated any suggestion that a Bill would como down at 3 o'clock in tho morning. He desired to make it possible for a Governor's Messago to be taken after 12.30 a.m. As to lato sittings, so far the Houso had sat 55 days and 440 hours, which worked out at an avcrago sitting of eight hours a day. Mr. Massey replied that ho would not object to dealing with messages from tho Legislative Council or from tlio Governor, oven without an alteration of the Standing Orders. This would bo a fair offer. But 110 would not consent to the motion. Ho reviewed tho lime yet .remaining this week, and suggested it was absolutely impossible to pass tho measures 011 tho Order Paper by then. After further discussion, tho Prime Minister moved his motion, but since two days' clear notico had not been given, and un■yiinioiis consent was necessary, Mr, Massey's ' No " prevented it boing carried. WORKERS' COMPENSATION. The Workers' Compensation for Accidents Act Amendment Bill was proceeded with in Committee. At Clause 17 (sub-clause 3) words struck out by tho Labour L.lls Committeo were reinstated as follows:—"Any right of indemnity conferred by tho Act shall bo enforceable in tho Supremo Court or some other Court of competent jurisdiction, and not (save with tho consent of tho parties)' in tho Court of Arbitration. The MINISTER, in answer to members who argued that tho power of going bofiirc a jury of tho Supremo Court should bo given, said the Government desired that all compensation cases should go before tho Arbitration Court, because the judge would becomo a specialist in tho work, and uniformity of decision would be secured It was the aim of tho Act to secure that as much as possible of the compensation should bo paid to tho worker and not be reduced b.v lawyers' fees. It would not overload the Court, ""hich was to bo relieved of a good deal of other work by tho Magistrate's Court. Mr. POLAND applauded the Minister's desire to save laiwycrs' expenses. At Clauso 55, i Tho MINISTER accepted an alteration by Mr. Poland to render it necessary that insurance premiums must be paid by the companies and not by tho small contractors working in coal mines. The new clauses added by the Labour Bills Committee wero adopted. Tho MINISTER, in combating an attempt of Mr. Barclay to introduce a certain amendment 011 the ground that such amendment would mean increased legal procedure, said tho Bill was so simple that the' insurance companies would bo able to savo legal costs and hereby keep premiums down. Passing on to the schedules of the Bill, the first schedule, specifying limrdnus occupations, evoked a,great deal of discussion. Tho MlNlSTEß'agreed to tho deletion of tho word "hazardous" from tho titlo' of tho first schedule, viz,—"hazardous occupations," because of tho fears of some members that such designation applied to the occupations within tho schedule might affect tho rates of insurance upon them. Tho second schedule of tho Bill was amended in an unimportant direction, and tho Bill was, then reported. PUBLIC SERVICE CLASSIFICATION AND SUPERANNUATION BILL. Tho PRIME MINISTER moved the second reading of 'tho Public Sorvico Classification and Superannuation Act Amendment Bill. Ho explained that since the police wcro doubtful about certain provisions of the Bill as it affected themselves, it had been decided not to press that portion of the Bill, Ho then proceeded to explain its provisions (as already reported). As to the portion of tho' Bill dealing with tho teaching profession, 110 said thoro were, matters in tnis department that rendered it impossible to place it 011 exact lines to the public service scheme; but aa much as possible, had been done. As to Clauses 60 and 61 (Public Sorvico division), which dealt with requirements as to continuity of service of contributors, and special provisions, he found that thero had been such strong demands for concessions that 110 had decided not to proceed with the clauses if it was desired to havo them dropped. It was an exceedingly difficult thing to deal Avith; and to reduco tho amounts would make the scheme . actuarially unsound. It was proposed to give tho railway men who wore out on strike in 1890 a chance to come under the clause on the payment of £1500. This would not be sufficient by £1700 or £1800, which sum would be made up by tho Governnient. He went on to givo tho' position of the Public Service Fund' to-dav. Since it had beon in operation the actual amount ' received was £41,924, the total contributions for July were £6361, and for August £6591. In tho latter months arrears were included, but after making full allowances they could be quite- certain that the contributions would be well over £75,000. With contributions, interest earned by the fund, and revenue from fines, ,ctc., the annual revenue would bo close upon £100,000. Of tho funds, £25,000 had beon invested at 4 per cent., and £7000 at-5 per cent. Tho interest earned to June 30, 190?, was £836 4s. Id. There wero 7197 contributors to tho fund, and at the end of tho year it would bo 7500. Ho moved the second reading. The Bill passed its second reading, and was committed. Progress was then reported upon it. NATIVE LAND BILL. The Nativo Affairs. Committco reported tho Nativo Land Act- Amendment Bill, which was read a second time pro forma. Tho Bill contains a considerable number of amendments. WORKERS' COMPENSATION BILL. Tho Workers' Compensation Bill was read a third time without debate. The House rose at 2.40 a.m. until 10 a.m. to-day, when local Bills will be taken.