PARLIAMENTARY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15716, 8 September 1911, Page 8

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Abridged from Press Association.) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday, September 7. AFTERNOON SITTING. The Council met at 2.30. METHODIST TRUSTS. The Methodist Charitable and Educational Trusts Bill was read a third time and passed. BILL REINSTATED. The Hon G. Jones moved to make the Field Divorce Bill an order of the day for second reading next sitting day. Tho second reading had been previously negatived. Mr Jones read certificates from medical men showing tliat Mrs Field 1 had been hopelessly insane for moro than ten years. The Hon J. Rigg admitted that the case was exceptional, and the Bill might be reinstated for second reading. The Hon O. Samuel considered it undesirable to pass the motion and renew a second reading debate already disposed of. After further discussion the motion was agreed to. 1 EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS. The Attorney-General informed the Hon J. Barr that he would look into the cost of preparing a return of tho number of unions of employers and workers, and the number of members of each, in each year since the passing of the Industrial Conciliation Act. MENTAL DEFECTIVES. Tho debate upon the second reading of the Mental Defectives Bill was resumed by the Hen C. M. Luke, who horalded it with delight as a further 6tep in the humanitarian legislation of tho past few years. He defended the proposal for licensing private institutions, which, like private hospitals, could serve useful purposes. The Hon J. R. Sinclair pointed out that recognition of private institutions was a re-enactment of the present law, and in any case there were the best of reasons why such institutions should be maintained. The debate was adjourned and the Council rose. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, September 7. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.39 p.m. BILLS. The Moliaka County Bill (Mr Brown), Tapanui Commonage Reserve Exchange and Leasing Bill (Mr Malcolm), Waiapu County Council Bill (Sir James Carroll) and Tbkomaru Harbour Endowment Bill (Sir James Carroll for Mr Macdonald) were read a first time. A GARDENER’S DISMISSAL. The chairman of the Public Petitions Committee moved to lay on the table a petition from a gardener at Government House, praying for an inquiry into- the circumstances of bis dismissal. Mr Fisher said the case needed investigation. The man was dismissed, according to the head gardener, for interviewing prominent Opposition members. If Government employees of any standing at all wished to converse with members they had to do so in the dark. The Hon R. M’Kenzie said that the man was dismissed when the work he was engaged for was concluded, and for no other reason. There was nothing in Mr Fisher’s argument that Civil Servants were afraid to bo seen conversing with members. There was a rule that they were not to ask favours from members. Civil servants knew the regulations they had to work under when they joined the service. The Opposition had a habit of looking for these grievances with the object of magnifying them. Mr Massey traversed the last statement. There was, ho said, a feeling on the part of people employed by tho Government that they were afraid to be seen conversing with members of the Opposition. He knew this to be absolutely correct. The Hon T. Mackenzie said there was not a Minister who would think of dismissing public servants for stating a grievance. He was sure no member of his staff was afraid to go to any member of the House. The report was laid on the table. BILLS. The Papakaio Water Race District Validation Bill (Hon T. Y. Duncan) was read a third time and passed. The Groytown Town Lands and Hospital Lands Exchange Bill (Mr Buchanan), Oavnnru Muncipal Exchange and Market Reserve Leasing Bill (Hon T. Y. Duncan), Sir Donald M’Lean Memorial Park Bill (Mr Brown), a*>d Wanganui Harbour Board Vesting Bill (Air Hogan) were committed ana reported without amendments. The Waikowhai Park Bill, which enables the Alethodist Trust to transfer thirty acres to the Alount Roskill Road Board, Auckland, for a park, was read a second time. COUNTRY RACING CLUBS. The House went into committee on the Gaming Act Amendment Bill. Sir Joseph Ward suggested that the Bill should be withdrawn and that the Commission should be set up again to reconsider the whole position. The country clubs would have an opportunity then of placing their views before it. Air Jennings said he was prepared to accept the Prime Alinister’s suggestion provided the Commission reported within a week and he had leave to discuss the Bill next Thursday. The discussion _ was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. • EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The motion of Air Jennings to report progress on the Gaming Bill was carried by 54 to 14. LAND AGENTS. The House then went into committee on the Land Agents Registration Bill. Air Russell asked for a statement from the Ministerial benches whether the Government would take up the measure. The Hon D. Buddo stated that he had mentioned on the second reading of the Bill that the Government had intended bringing down a Land Agents Bill, which would go further than the present Bill proposed. He would give the mover every assistance with the Bill. A voice: “And place it on tho Statute Book?” The Hon D. Buddo: “I didn’t say that.” Air Herries said the Alinister should be candid. Ho had nover heard a better exposition of the “Yes-No” policy than that expounded by Air Buddo. Air Hanan thought the Minister should make a definite statement on the matter. Unless the Government tools up the Bill it could not go through. Air Newman hoped tho Government would bring down a good Bill. He would support it. At the interpretation clause Air Brown said lie would like a section put in the Bill excluding solicitors fiom selling land. Air Okey hoped the mover of the Bill would not exclude solicitors. Mr Witty said he had no intention oi' doing so. Clause 2 (interpretation) was amended to make a land agent one who sells, lets, leases or exchanges land on commission otherwise than by auction. An amendment by tile Hon D. Buddo I’ to eliminate the provision excluding auctioneers from licensing proved very contentions, despite the assurance of tho member in charge of the Bill that

auctioneers were provided for in a later clause. Eventually tho amendment was carried. Clause 3 was altered to make April 1 the date trom which land agents shall register. Progress was reported, with leave to sit again. CHIUSTCH URCH DOMAIN. Tho Ciiristchiuch Domain Board Act Amendment Bill (Air Davey) was read a second time. The House rose at midnight.