PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 79, 30 September 1936, Page 13

PARLIAMENT

TODAY'S PROCEEDINGS

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House or Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. today.

Mr. R. A. Wright (Independent, Wellington Suburbs) asked the Minister in Charge of the Police Department whether he was aware that prc'jationary constables were only paid i:s per day, which was considerably less than was paid to the men on public works; and, if so, would he consider the matter with a view to effecting a readjustment?

Mr. Fraser replied: This matter was first brought before me on May 26 last-by the Deputy Commissioner of ■Police, and when the Department's estimates were being framed it was decided to make provision for an increase in the pay of temporary constables. It was strongly recommended also by the Commissioner immediately following his appointment to the position. When the training depot was in use prior to 1930, probationary constables were paid 11s per day while in the depot and received the ordinary pay of a constable on permanent appointment at the completion of their course of training. The depot was closed in July, 1930, and any recruits required for the Police Force were taken on as temporary constables on probation for twelve months and paid at the rate of 11s per day, the pay of a permanent constable being then 13s 6d a day. When the depot was reopened in August last, the practice of keeping the recruits on probation as temporary ' constables for twelve months was continued in order to test their qualifications on actual police duty before permanent appointment, and their pay remained at the rate of 11s per day during that period. In view of the restoration of salary-rates to those obtaining in 1931, the Com; missioner recommended that recruits, after completion of their training in the depot and on being placed on ordinary police duty, and also all other temporary constables now of probationary service with a view to permanent appointment, be paid the full rate of pay of a constable (now 15s per day) during the remainder of their term of probationary service as temporary constables. There are fifty-one temporary constables concerned and, as already stated, the necessary provision for the increased rate, to take, effect from July 1, has been made on the Estimates. . ■

Mr. A. G. Hultquist (Government, Bay.of Plenty) asked the Minister of Public Works whether he would investigate the possibility of bringing all electrical inspectors direcfty under the jurisdiction and supervision of the Public Works Department at the earliest . possible opportunity. "Power boards and other supplying authorities which execute electrical-installation contracts are placed in the anomalous position of inspecting their own work," he said. "It is suggested that the power boards could be levied for the cost of the inspectorate, but that the jurisdiction over the inspectors would be invested in the Public Works Department."

Mr. Semple replied: I have to state that I intend taking an early opportunity of investigating the whole of the activities associated with the electricsupply business. If, however, he has any grounds for believing that unfair inspections are being made by electricsupply authorities there is already provision under section 22 of the Electrical Wiremen's Registration Act, 1925, to deal with this aspect of the matter.

Mr. Wright asked the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) whether the official Labour candidate for the Wellington Suburbs electorate at the recent' General Election promised and was authorised to promise that, if his party was returned to power, authority would be given to the Wellington City Council to construct the Bowen Street to Tinakori Road tramway; and, if so, would the Government issue the necessary Order in Council which would allow work to proceed?

"This work, if undertaken, will afford employment for a number of men now drawing sustenance," he said.

Mr. Savage replied: The Government has no knowledge of the promise referred to, but it will be pleased to have the question considered on its merits. Mr. C. H. Burnett (Government, Tauranga) asked the Minister of Labour (the Hon.' H. T. Armstrong) (1) "Whether the Government proposes to introduce legislation this session to provide for compulsory insurance of all classes of workers? (2) If so, will the Minister consider amending the Workers' Compensation Act to cover all classes of employment, whether it is the employer's trade or business or not? (3) Will the Minister also consider making provision for insurers vmder the Workers' Compensation Act being able to insure on simple forms through the medium of the Post Office?"

Mr. Armstrong replied: The Government has in hand the preparation of a Bill to amend, the Workers' Compensation Act, and hopes to be able to introduce it this session. I shall be pleased to see that the points mentioned by the honourable member receive consideration in connection with the drafting of the amendments.

Mr. R. A. Wright (Independent, Wellington Suburbs') asked the Prime Minister: (1) "Whether his attention has been drawn to a statement made by the chairman of the Wellington Education Board to the effect that board meetings were not legally open to the Press and public, who were only admitted by courtesy? '(2) If so, will he introduce legislation to correct this defect, seeing that education boards spend large sums of public money every year?"

Mr. Savage replied:—Since the Education Act, 1914, while leaving the position quite open as regards admission of Press and public to board meetings, contains provision for boards to ma,ke their own bylaws, in all except two or three cases, the bylaws of education boards deal specifically with the question of conduct of their meetings, and most of them provide for admission of the public to meetings except when t.h« board i? in committee. While I do not think there is any need to interfere with the freedom of action of the education boards in this matter, I agree that full publicity should be given to their business as well as to that of all other public bodies.