YESTERDAY’S PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 19000, 23 July 1925, Page 11

YESTERDAY’S PARLIAMENT

LOCAL LEGISLATION BILL In the House of Representatives yesterday the Hon. Mr Bollard (Minister of Internal, Affairs) moved the second reading of tha Local Legislation Bill to provide for proper means of dealing with minor matters requiring legislative authority, which aro now included in the Washing-up Bill. The latter was now assuming Such proportions earn i sc.-,mou that it was felt something should bo done to limit the matters included therein. Mr Veitch protested against the Bill, which would take away from __ local bodies the opportunity of validating Muuo little technical error. There wore many such matters of great urgency, and to require local Bills to bo promoted iu every case would entail heavy expense and delay that might be fatal to the matter concerned. This Bill permitted too much Ministerial control, and its effect, if passed, would be injurious to local bodies. There was no justification for the Bill on the ground that anything improper had ever been done through tho Washing-up Bill. The Hon. Mr Anderson said that members had always attacked tho Washing-up Bill in the past because those concerned did not know the import of tho clauses introduced. This new Bill provided that anything introduced should be properly understood in the locality affected, it was really a Washing-up Bill in another form which ensured that the clauses received proper publicity. The Hon. D. Buddo thought the Bill involved a grave departure from precedent iu parliamentary procedure He opposed tho Bill. Sir John Luke said the Bill preserved to Parliament all authority it Had now under tho Washing-up Bill. Mr Veitch asked tho Speaker to give his ruling on tho latter part of clause 8, which states: “No provision shall be included in the Local Legislation Bill as hereinbefore provided for unless application has been made and notification given thereof in the 1 Gazette ’ as provided by this Act.” Mr Veitch said this part of the danse conflicted with the Standing Orders and ■ the rights of members, who would not, if this clause were passed, have the right to move any new clause or amend any existing clause once the Bill had boon introduced to tho House.

After a brief discussion the Speaker said ho was virtually being asked to give the legal effect of the clause if it were passed. He could not do this, but ho would say that iri every case the statute law or the laud would override the Standing Orders of the House. Mr Smith (Taranaki) said that most of the clauses which appeared iu the Washing-up Bill had nothing to do with local bodies, and ho asked what was to be done with them. Much of tho praise lavished on the Bill was onlv so much moonshine.

The Hon. Mr M'Leod said this Bill would not do away with the Wasb-ing-np Bill altogether, but would take a great deal of the responsibility off the Minister in charge of the Wash-ing-up Bill, since ho. often had to decide whether clauses wore simply emergency clauses or whether they were really local Bills. Mr Sullivan said tho House should not give the Bill its second reading with clause 8 in it unless tho Minister gave some indication that ho was prepared to amend it. In reply to Sir Holland, the Hon. Sir Bollard said ho was prepared to amend tho clause in such a way as to conserve the rights of members to amend Bills, There was no need for members to got anxious about the Bill. It would safeguard tho interests of ratepayers inasmuch as the fullest publicity would have to bo given to proposals by local bodies. There was no attempt’to curtail the rights of members under tho clause, which was designed to prevent surprise clauses, but he-would,look into it and, if necessary, make its purpose more clear. The second reading was agreed to, and the Bill was referred to tho Standing, Orders Committee. SHEARERS’ ACCOMMODATION.

Mr 'Langstone moved the second reading of the Shearers’ Accommodation Amendment Bill, which, he explained, ought to improve the living conditions of tho shearers. The Bill provides that dining rooms where shearers arc given their meals shall bo adequately provided with tables and seating accommodation. In no circuni- j stances shall anyone sloop in the din-1 ing room proper. Washing and bathing facilities shall he provided, including an ample supply of hot and cold water, and a washhouse and popper. Jn no circumstances shall a killing pen be, less than 800yds from the dining and 'sleeping quarters. Tito killing pens shall have concrete floors, and shall be provided with an adequate water supply and ily-proof safes. Mr Langstone said these amendments wore necessary to bring Now Zealand conditions up to tho level of Queensland. He quoted lengthily from reports on conditions in districts whero_ Maoris were employed to show that improvements were required, but he said all the improvements asked for would not bo demanded at once. The Minister of Lands said ho did not intend to object to tho provisions of tho Bill. If any undesirable conditions existed it was time they were remedied; but if they existed some inspectors must bo responsible. Therefore ho felt there were sufficient powers under the present laws to bring about all tho improvements asked for. Air Barry said there were few employers who did not trout their men properly, and those who gave their employees full consideration would not bo affected. If there were not a very real need for tho Bill it would not bo beiorc the House now.

Tli Minister of Lunds pointed out that in many cases accommodation for shearers was needed only lor a week or two per year. Mon- ol the large stations, however, had quite as good accommodation as anyone could desire. The Bill would have the iuHost, eonsnitee it it went before it. Mr Holland said tiro Information supplied to iiio JLauor members showed that the improvements asked for in the Bill were needed. There were authentic cases, for instance, of men being required to sleep in dining rooms. In others men had to sleep in kitchens, and there wore cases, particularly in the Native districts, where no provision was made for the separation ol the sexes. ’

Tho Prime Minister said that no doubt there were some instances where conditions wore not as they should be. Mo hoped, however, that in applying the regulations, especially with regard to tho location of killing pens, some elasticity would be permitted. The Minister of Labor said all that was asked for could be accomplished by regulation under tho existing Act, Messrs Armstrong and O’Brien supported the Bill. Mr Langstone said the present Act did not apply to small sheds, and this Bill simply sought to secure decent conditions for men employed therein. The Bill was read a second time on the voices, and referred to the Agricultural Committee.. OTHER BILLS. Kir Maui Poroare moved the, second reading of tho Cook Islands Amendment Bill, providing for the transfer of lepers from the Cook Island Group to tho leper station in Fiji. Tho second reading was carried without discussion. In moving tho second reading of the Nurses and Midwives’ Registration

Bill, Sir Maui Pomare (Minister of Health) said it was mostly of a consolidating nature. There were new provisions for the setting up of a Registration Board and for special facilities being given for training maternity nurses. The Bill was road a second time on the voices.

The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill (the Hou. Mr Anderson) was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Labor Bills Committee.

The Weights and Measures Bill (tho Hon. Mr Anderson) was put through its final stage, read a third time, and passed. Tho House rose at 0.5 a.m.