BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Evening Star, Issue 19615, 22 July 1927, Page 10

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

HOSE PABUAMEHTARY MANOEUVRES

ANOTHER CHANCE DISAPPEARS [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, July 21. ■Private members had another opportunity in the House of Representatives to-day, but the Religious Exercises in Schools Bill hail, according to the Standing Orders* to-come second to the amendment of tho Workmen’s Compensation Act, which Mr Howard (Christchurch South) lias frequently endeavored to pass. Realising that discussion oh this measure, if prolonged till 12.30, would stop the .second reading of the Religious Exercises in Schools Bill, the latter’s supporters endeavored to get the obstacle out of the way by raising the point of order that Mr Howard’s Bill involves an appropriation, and therefore cannot bo introduced by a private member. Mr Lee (Oamaru), who brought up the matter, said ho realised that two years ago a Speaker’s ruling had Jioen giycn in favor of Mr Howard’s Bill being permitted to go through the second reading stage, hut ho argued that, as its main object was to provide largo sums for compensation in case of accident, it imposed a heavier liability on the Crown, whirl* was not exempt. It was emphatically an Appropriation Bill. Mr Howard remarked Unit ho had expected this point, but was surprised to hear a lawyer venturing to raise it. Tho Crown had exempted itself in some eases, but Public Works employees were not. covered by the Compensation Act, though the department made payment in line with tho compensation scale as an act of .grace.

Mr M'Combs (Lyttelton) and Mr Fraser (Wellington Central) showed themselves well armed with precedents favoring Mr Howard’s Bill, and the dismission closed with a declaration by Sir Charles Statham that he had previously ruled that appropriation was only incidental to the Bill, and therefore he could not interfere with the second reading, though ho could warn the Chairman of Committees regarding the possibility of appropriation clauses occurring. He could not be expected to reverse his previous ruling. As a consequence Mr Howard opened the debate on workers’ compensation with every prospect of this subject lasting till after the time for the introduction of further business, as it did, the second rending being carried on the voices at 0.45 a.m.