PARLIAMENT YESTERDAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3997, 30 July 1913, Page 5

PARLIAMENT YESTERDAY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. FIRST READINGS. [PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM] WELLINGTON, July 29. The House met at 2.30 p.m. ,Thc7 Hamilton High School Reserve Bill (Mr Young) was read a first time. . The Local Bodies Loans Bui, brought down by Governor’s Message, was read a first time. . The State Advances Bill and Rangiora Drill Shed Bill were read a first time. THE COMMITTEE STAGE. The House then went into committee on several Bills. At Clause 2 of the Magistrate’s Court Bill, Mr Laurenson objected to the proposal that everv Magistrate appointed hereafter shall be a barrister of not less than five vears’ standing. He contended that the Magistrate’s Court was. not a court of law, but a court of equity. Mr Millar supported-the objection. He held that the amount offered <[£7oo yearly) would not attract desirable persons to the bench. Mr Wilford said the Magistrate’s Court was the most important court in tin.- land, and he objected to making it a dose corporation for lawyers. He supported the objection. Mr Herdman said, the clause was not nut in the Bill with the intention lefit any particular section of Hie community, but to endeavor to improve the Bench. In the past appointments had been made, which had turned out to be utter failures. He hoped the provision of the Bill would attract a better class to the Bench. Mr Laurenson said lie knew ofl a man who had passed his lawyer’s examination brilliantly, but who was a dismal failure on the Bench. Mr Russell said the Bill provided for the appointment of magistrates by the Governor. He asked what was to become of the Public Service Commissioners? They appeared to be ignored under the" Bill and patronage reserved to the Minister. He moved •that the clause be struck out. Mr Herdman said if the clause were struck out he would have to withdraw the Bill. It was necessary, in the interests of the country, that the clause should remain. M essrs Hannan, Bell and Lee supported the proposal »-to confine appointments to barristers. .Mr Atmore contended that a lawyer who would take the nosition at £7OO had not the confidence of the public, otherwise he would be making over that amount. The House divided on Mr Russell’s amendment, which was negatived by 3!) votes to 23. Mr Millar then moved to provide that clerks of Magistrate’s Courts who have been ten years in office shall be eligible for appointment. Mr Herdman said he could not accept the amendment unless provision were made that the clerks were barristers or solicitor’s. Mr Millar agreed to the alteration of the amendment, which was carried on tho voices. The payment of allowances and expenses for Magistrates while attending to coronial duties caused some discussion. Messrs Isitt and Hanan contended that the sum suggested as payment for magistrates was quite sufficient to meet the case. They objected to perquisites for Government officers. A new clause was added to provide that letters of administration and probate be granted by a Magistrate where an estate did not exceed £IOO. A new clause was moved by Mr Hindmarsh and was adopted by the Minister and included in the Bill. This clause provided that in claims up to ,-£3O magistrates should be empowered to give judgment under the ‘•equity and good conscience” provisions of the Act. The Bill was reported with amendments.

POLICE FORCE RILL. The Police Force Bill was considered in committee. Mr. Veiteh claimed that members of the. force should be allowed to form their contemplated Association. He had been for over 20 years a member of the Railway staff, and knew the history of the formation of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, and the same arguments and the same tactics were being employed against the promoters of the Police Association as had been adopted towards the Railway Association That was a mistake, as it was an error to suppose that an organisation among Government employees had to be subversive of discipline. Mr. Herdman, in reply, said there was no analogy between the policeforce .and the railway servants. If the Association were formed and industrial trouble arose, who would control the force? . No Minister or Commissioner, but some irresponsible labor leader who controlled the union! Mr. Massey contended that there was no real unrest or dissatisfaction in the force. It must be recognised that where 800 men were employed there must be some malcontents. . If the men of the force, had any grievances there was nothing to prevent them going to the Commissioner, and, through him', "to the Minister. The Government was quite prepared to meet the men in any reasonable way. Progress was reported at 12.45 a.m., and the House rose.