PARLIAMENTARY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15714, 6 September 1911, Page 11

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Abridged from Press Association.) HOUSE OF. REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, SErTEiniKR 5. AFTERNOoiTsiTTING. The House mot at 2.80 p.m. RESIGNATION OF A MINISTER, Sir Joseph Ward informed the Houso that the Hon G. Fswlds had resigned his.position in the Ministry and that the resignation had been accepted by the Governor. BILLS. The Rivorton Harbour Endowment and Borrowng Act Amendment Bill (Mr J. C. Thomson), Little River Domain Board Bill (Mr Hardy) and Hamilton Domains Bill CM* Greenslade) wore read a first time. NORTH OF AUCKLAND RAILWAY. The report of the Royal Commission on the North of Auckland railway route was laid on. tho table. . Mr Slander, objected to the defending of tho connection to Whangarei. It was most unjust. Ho questioned the membership of the Commission. Mr Sterfworthy resented any reference to bias or unfairness or any suggestion that members of the Commission were incapable. ' Mr Massey said the Commission would have been more satisfactory had it been composed of outside men, from Auckland, for instaiioe. lho North Auckland district would carry/a large population in time to cdme. He hoped the Government would take into consideration the matter of Native lands before entering on any further railway deviations on these lands. Mr Reed said that Mr Mander should have gone on tho Commission. He repudiated any suggestion of bins. Tho Hon R. M'Keiizic said that the Government considered very carefully the constitution of the Commission before appointing it. It did not matter if members were strong party men politically as long as tboy wore unbiased aud fair. Ho hoped Mr Mander would do his host to push the railway on as auickly as possible. COAL MINES. Tho Hon R. M'Kenzio moved the: committal of the Coal Mines Act Amendment Bill. Ho explained that tho Bill contained very small amendments to tho present law. Provision was made for the determination of leases within six months, also for allowing the Minister, on behalf of his Majesty, to purchase and sell coal, wood and coke. The House adjourned at 5.80 p.m. EVENING SITTINGk The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. After a long debate the House went into committee on tha Coal Mines Bill. The Minister moved to amend clause 38, making payment of overtime mandatory. Carried. Mr Poland moved an amendment to bring workers about mines under tho same mandatory provision. Tha Hon J. A. Millar said that tho amendment was out of order, as it was an appropriation of public money without Governor's message. The SpoaW was summoned and uphold Mr Molar's point. The Hon R. M'Kenzie then moved to delete the word "underground'' from the saflie olause, which would give tho game effect' as the previous amendment.

This also was ruled out by tho Spoak»r on the same groundsThe Bill was reported with amendment.

Tho Hutt Railway and Road Improvement Act Amendment Bill was passed through committee. The Houso rose at 12.50 a.nu