IN PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3346, 12 October 1911, Page 2

IN PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE ge representatives. CHILDREN GAMBLING IN CHOCOLATES LAND FOR WORKERS’ HOMES. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Oct 11. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to questions Ministers stated: 'That the further amending or regulations under Civil Service Officers Guarantee Act is now under consideration, and the Minister in charge sees, no* reason why the scale of contribution towards defalcations should stop at any salary. . , . That the Government is very desirous of encouraging horse breeding on proper lines. It is, however, probable that any monetary assistance that may bt given could, with greater advantage to the settlers generally, be devoted to establishing a system of subsidies for approved, sound stallions, on the lines similar to those upon which the King s premiums are -granted at Home. Ihe whole matter is now being considered by the Government. That in regard to the question as to whether the Government will amend the Public Service Act so as to increase the annuity of a widow under the teachers’ superannuation scheme from £lB to £26 per annum, the matter will receive consideration when the actuarial investigation now being made is completed. Much depends upon the general position of the fund as to whether anv concessions can he made. That’the Minister’s attention had been drawn to articles in the Dunedin “Star” of 16tli September, on the* subject of gambling in chocolates by children, and considers it desirable that children should, if possible, be prevented from indulging m a practice of the kind referred to. That the decision in the case of . Sherwood v. the New Zealand Shipping Company, in which the Court held that the widow of a man killed while in the employ of the Company was not a dependant, under the Act, being separated from her husband, although she had a claim for maintenance against him, has been noted, and the Minister was consulting the Crown Law officers on the subject with a view, if possible, to giving any persons likely to he similarly affected the protection of the Act., The afternoon was occupied, in discussing the answers given by Ministers to the questions. The Hon. J. A. Millar, speaking of workers’ homes, said that wherever land was obtainable at a reasonable price, the Department was acquiring it for workmen’s homes, but the difficulty was to get land at reasonable prices. The House-resumed at 7.30 p.m. On the motion of' the Premier it was resolved that, on and after Monday next, the House meets on Mondays for Government business. Sir Joseph Ward promised to give a statement of the business proposed on Friday, and that the Public Works Statement will be delivered on Monday afternoon. Sir Joseph Ward also said that there is no reason why the session should not close on Friday week if members would co-operate..