House of Representatives.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 303, 15 October 1910, Page 5

House of Representatives.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. The House went into Committee of Supply on internal-affairs (£235,098). A considerable discussion arose on the electoral vote of £6774. Regarding the anomalies of electoral rolls and the system generally, the Hon. D. Buddo, replying, said that since the last general election corrections in electoral rolls had amounted to 30 per cent. It would be inadvisable to practise cheese-paring economy in connection with the Electoral Department. Mr F. M. B. Fisher moved that the item of £SOO (printing and preparation of rolls) be reduced by £1 as an indication that greater freedom should be allowed the electoral commissioners in order that they might conserve that community of interest which is so essential right throughout the districts.

Mr Arnold moved as a prior amendment "that the item be reduced by £1 as an indication that'the present system of compiling rolls was unsatisfactory. Hon. Buddo, replying to Mr Massey, said the Legislature Bill was intended to pass this session. -It made provision, not only for purging the rolls, but for electoral census, that is, a door to door canvas to ascertain if the people on the r"ll were actually resident in the district. Mr Arnold's amendment was lost on the voices. The House rose at 5.30 p.m.

EVENING SITTING. The discussion on the details of the vote for Internal Affairß Department was resumed, and the vote passed unaltered. The mental hospitals vote of £89,554 was next taken. A discussion was initiated by Mr Hogg on the conditions of labour of attendants at mental hospitals. Eventually the vote was reduced by £1 on his motion. The remainder of votes in this clasß were passed unaltered. The vote of £120,135 was also passed without alteration. On the Labour Department vote of £22,827, Mr Wilford moved to reduce the first item by £l, as an indication that the department had failed to carry out its duty in regard to taking up of cases brought before its notice by the Furniture Department. The Minister replied in detail, stating the reasons why the department refused to take action. The amendment was lost on the voices and the House rose.