PARLIAMENT.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 247, 5 October 1911, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

[PER I’ll ess association.]

Wellington. Oct. 1. T’ne Council met at 2.30 p.m. CORONATION IN VI TAT lON S. Mr. Mills moved, "That the Council is dissatisfied with the answer given by the Attorney-General in reply to questions on the Order Paper of September 28th on the subject of the Coronation invitations, and regrets the’refusal given to the tequest to lay on the table any papers cables, or correspondence relating to them.” The mover strongly contended that the first invitation to members of the Dominion Parliament included the Council, and should have bet n submitted to the Council. The second invitation from the joint committee of the Lords and Commons was for eight members of the Council. The Council had not

received these invitations, and they had a right to have an explanation. The object of his motion was to get the matter clearer! up. He felt more hurt at the reply given by the At-torney-General than a reply coming from anyone who did not know belli r. Mr. Callan, who seconded the motion, expressed himself as deeply disappointed at the manner in which members of the Council were treatid. Mr. Wigram supported the motion with regret on account of the fact that the Attorney-General had endeared himself to the Council by his courtesy in the conduct of its business. He thought a once straying away could be overlooked, but he felt it his duty to approve of the motion.

Mr. Jones contended that in view of the great services rendered by the Premier and his colleague to the Dominion they might well overlook the oversight on the part of the Minister in this mattqr. He would vote against the motion. Mr. Samuel, while declaim j; h:s determination at all times to speak his mind freely said he refused to believe that any discourtesy to the Council was intended by th Attor-ney-General. However, there was no doubt that the second invitation was to eight members of the Council. and they had a right to know why the invitations had been suitpressed. The reference to Hansard was not satisfactory. Reasons should at least have been given why the corespondence was not laid on the table.

Mr. Lough nan moved an amendment making the motion read, ‘ That the Council hopes the Government will explain the manner of the Coronation invitation to the Council.” Mr. Jenkinson indicated that he would be prepared to go further and insist upon the correspondence being laid upon the table except that maiked confidential. He preferred Air. Loughnan’s amendment to the original motion, as under it they might have something definite. Mr. Beehan did not think any discourtesy to the Council was intended by- Sir John Findlay. The whole tiling was a storm in a veapot. Mr. Louisson favoured Mr. Jenkinson’s suggested amendment. Mr. Luke considered that those responsible for forwarding the invitation to the Council had failed in their duty in not doing so. The Attorney-General said he had, in his reply, adopted the practice of the British Parliament in giving a sufficient reply. The Premier had taken the responsibility of explaining the* position, and he (Sir John Findlay) hail nothing to add to that. There could be no discourtesy in following the recognised practice in replying to the question. Mr. I -oughnan’s amendment was carried. SECOND READINGS.

The Greytown Town Lands and Hospital Exchange Bill (Mr. Samuel), the Oaniarn Municipal Exchange and Market Reserve Leasing Bill, anil the Waikowhai Park Bill were read the second time.

UNIVERSITY’ DEGREES BILL. Sir G. M. O’Rorke moved the second reading of the I niversity Degrees Bill, to give the senate power to confer degrees in divinity. The Attorney-General and other members opposed the lull, which was rejected by 18 to 4.

house of representatives.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

The House met at 2.30 p.m

Replying to questions the Minister stated that consideration would be given, when the amendments to the Ohl Age Pension Act were dealt with, to tiie suggestions that the pension be granted to women of 60 years ; that the pension of 15 - a week be granted where one of a married couple is old enough to obtain the pension to support such couple ; and that the pension be granted to permanently' incapacitated persons who are not of the required age. provided they comply with the other conditions of the Act. It was not the intention this session to amend the Defence Act in the direction of admitting conscieni tious objectors. A scheme of medical inspection of school children has been prepared by the Department and was considered at the recent conference of hospital boards. It is intended that the dental examination shall be enforced as a prominent feature of any system of inspection which may be put into operation. It has been decided to grant a bonus of £12.000 for improvements in connection with the dressing of New Zealand hemp, provided that a machine or process satisfactory to i the FlaxmiHers’ Association and I the Government can be found. The House resumed at 7,30. KAIKOUKA HOSPITAL SITE BILL. The Kaikoura Hospital Site Bill was reported from Committee without amendment. ; ADMINISTRATION AMENDMENT I BILL. The Administration Amendment Bill was read i he third rime and

passed. ESTIMATES. The, House went into Committee on the Estimates. At the vote for tin* Department of Agriculture, Commerce and Tourists. £215.202, the Hon. T. McKenzie, Minister of Agriculture, in reply to a question, said the Government intended continuing the breeding of Angora goats , the department was experimenting with the re-grassing of Central Otago, and many grasses were being tested there. Mr. Davey advocated the placing of qualified veterinary surgeons on a proper legal footing. At the present time any quack could practice and himself a veterinary surgeon. After midnight Mr. Buchanan urged the necessity for the training of agricultural students. After a minor discussion the total vote for the class was passed. At 12.35 Mr. Massey suggested that progress should be reported. The Acting Premier said the House should go on with the important business of the country. They had got past the talking stage, and were prepared to do some business, which was the real concern of the country. Mr. Massey thereupon moved to report progress ,which was defeated by 32 to 16. The Education Vote of £1,017,927 was then discussed.

Mr. Guthrie urged an increase of the amount for capitation. The 12/provided was inadequate. Thursday, 1.58 a.m. Members generally complained that the amount provided for school committees was inadequate. The Minister said it was impossible to make any addition to the capitation amount. Over a million was provided for education purposes, and that sum could not be exceeded. Mr. Allen was of opinion that the amount of £BOOO for text books would be better utilised in conveying children to school. AN ALL NIGHT SITTING. Wellington, Oct. 5. In the House after 2 o’clock, the Minister stated that the Bill prepared for affording teachers the right of appeal in the matter of transfers on a motion by Mr. Wright in favour of additional capitation was lost by 21 to 17. The same member wanted reform in the system of election of school committees. The discussion was carried on till three o’clock, when the amendment was lost by 28 to 12.

In reply to complaints that students of the Training Colleges were not taking up science subjects, the Minister said the syllabus was being revised this year. At 4.15 a.m. Sir J. Carroll suggested adjourning the estimates till 2.30 p.m., but this was not entertained by the Committee, and business f.as continued till the whole vote passed and the House did not rise till 5 a.m.