HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 234, 3 October 1913, Page 7

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. CONCILIATION AND ARBITRA-

TION

Replying to Mr Russell, The PRIME MINISTER stated that he intended to place the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill on the Statute Book this session.' • The House would also have an opportunity of dealing witii the Shops and Offices Bill.

POLICE FORCE BILL,

The House went. into Committee further to consider the Police Force TJill The Minister agreed to delete that part of Clause 19 providing that members, dismissed from the force shall forfeit all pay, pension, or gratuities. ■-, • . ■ .. ' After several Members had pointed the harshness of the provision in Hlie clause dealing with the punishment of members of the force who seek to influence an elector, it was altered to read that a culprit will be liable to-a ; afine not exceeding £25, instead of a minimum of £5 and a ma&mum of £100. Oiy'fhe suggestion of Mr Hanan, the provision that anyone can sue for'the recovery 'of the amount of a penalty was also deleted. Sir Joseph WARD1 (Awarua) contended that the whole Bill was too drastic. If-the clause under discussion were incorporated no policeman j would feel safe. The MINISTER said that the clause was very necessary- No policeman reed fear anything so long as he did not become a political tout. The House divided on the motion to include the clause as amended, the voting being:—For 30; against-26. On the clause ■ providing that the Minister may appoint committees of inquiry, . Mr VEITCH (Wanganui) moved to the recognised association of members of the force to make claims. The Hon. Mr HERMAN said that he had already explained his reasons for not allowing the police to form an association. Such a proceeding would be subversive of the discipline of the force. He could »ot accept the amendment. It was ridiculous to state that the-Bill was drastic. It was more liberal than the present legislation. It must always be remembered that the police could join the Civil Service Association. The amendment was lost on the, voices. .-,.,-, j. .i ' A new clause providing that the retiring age of the police shall be 65 was added. The House divided on an amendment by Mr Witty providing that every member of the force who reels aggrieved regarding promotion shall have the right of appeal, such appeal to be heard within three months—for the new clause 29, against 32. The Bill was reported with amendments.