YESTERDAY'S PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 14525, 29 November 1910, Page 7

YESTERDAY'S PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. [Feom Otrß Own Rkpoktkb.] The Public Holidays Bill was reported irith amendments, excluding Empire Day, which matter wiU be discussed at the Imperial Conference and based upon the decision of that Conference. —The Bill was passed. On the Municipal Corporations Bill ■>eing committed, the Hon. J. B. CaUan noved to exclude the directors of nowspaper companies from tho operation of clause 10, disqualifying pereons having contracts with a council from sitting on tho council. He argued that thero was a wide difference between a newspaper company and ordinary companies.—The Attorney-General said ho recognised tho force of the contention in favor of newspaper directors, and would bo glad to see wme remedy devised, but it was cseential to make a rule. Rigid principles which in »he main woiked for good often created narm, and he recognised that the provision would debar useful men from taking a seat on municipal councils. However, ho could not see his way to accept the amendment.—After discussion, the amendment was lest by 10 votes to 6, and tho Bill reported with amendments. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. RAILWAYS BILL. On'the motion for tho second Tcading of iho Railwavs Amendment Bill, Mr T. K Taylor said that clanso 2, affecting two cases now in the courts, should stand over pending tho Tcsult of that litigation. Tho Mini.-ter of Railways said ho would let tho clanso go if 60 desired. Mr M'Laren urged that tho Bill should go to the Railways Committee in terms of an important petition, the signatories desiring to give evidence. The Hon. Mr MiUar : I will not consentto that, but I will agree to drop clauses 7. 8, and 10 (dealing with leave, of absence, and the fixing of salaries, of officers by tho Governor). Mr Hogan and Mr Massey urged the dropping of clanso 2, which would make a great difference to the Service, as under it a probationer could not get on tho Fuud for three years, instead of after six months, as now, and when he did join the Fund he would havo to pay a higher rate. Mr Taylor emphasised tho desirability of postponing for a year clause. 2, which raised important issues. This Bill, in view of its importance, should havo been brought down three months ago. The railway men were clearly within their rights in demanding to bo heard in regard to these clauses, as they had a suspicion that their statutory rights wore being invaded. Mr Sidey contended that this Bill was the outcome of his criticism of the Railway Regulations in-reference to probationers. Mt Massey : Then you had a lot to answer for, as the regulations wero ultra vires. Mr Sidey said he had always maintained that probationers were do facto members of tho Railway Service. Tho clause as drafted certainly took away statutory Tight 6 now possessed by probationers, and affected current litigation. The House would surely not sanction an injustice of that kind. The clause should apply only to future probationers. Mr M'Laren said that a more important reason why tho clause should be postponed was that "the railway men should have a chaJico of putting their case boforo the Railway Committee in their own fashion. It would be a decided mistake to pass the tiause at the present time. .Amidst general approval the Minister hi charge agreed to withdraw clause 2 jwing to the late period of the session. LAND SETTLEMENT FINANCE. On the Land Settlement Finance Bill oming on for further consideration, Sir '. G. Ward explained that eight clauses together with certain sub-clauses) would ;ave to be inserted in the Bill in order to ffect what the 11' had decided should no done. That was iceessary in order to i;ive a secure title.' The next step would be to have a conference with tho other branch in rogard to these amendments, which he read in detail. These amendments were designed to prevent tho aggregation of estates, and he was advised that that was the most effective way of doing what was desired by the House." Trie Prime Minister, Mr Eraser, and Mr i Reed were appointed managers. I NATIVE LAND CLATMS. i The Nativo Land Claims Adjustment Bill was committed, on the motion of the Hon. Mr Ngata. STAMP DUTIES BILL. . Sir J. G. Ward, referring to tho Stamp Dirties Act Amendment Bill, said that he proposed to ask the House to recommit the Hill and strike out clause 7, which had 1 .■ ■ • objected to, so that the remaining i■! . could bo passed. He proposed to V.i-.u over clanso 7. which imposes a duty on the goodwill on sales of land, for consideration next session. This was agreed to. and the Bill was put through its final stages. FINAL STAGES. The Thermal Springs Districts Bill was reported with amendments and read a third time. The Industrial Conciliation ami Arbitration Bill passed through committee unamended, and was read a third time. The Factories Bill was reported with amendments, read a third time, and parsed. The House rose at 7.6 a.m. till 7.30