PARLIAMENT MEETS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9227, 28 June 1912, Page 5

PARLIAMENT MEETS.

• .1, —* ' • OPENING INCIDENTS. ' OLD FACES IN STRANGE PLACES. (By Telegraph) (Special to "Standard.") WELLINGTON, Junn 28. The strangers' galleries were only comfortably filled when the House resumed the fu-st sitting of the session, honoured with a special seat of the floor of' the House, on the Speaker's light, was the Hon. James Bryce. He had a brief conversation with ' the Leader,of (he Opposition, a few words with the Speaker, and when formal business commenced he was one of the most , interested and obscnant of the strangers present. Some intoiest was taken in the positions selected by the now Government. Thn Trime Minister has retained the seat ho occupied as a member of the Ward Ministry, oi) the extreme left of the front Ministerial benches, and Mv Myeis lias selected that formerly occupied by Mr Millar. The bench behind them was occupied by Messrs Russell, Ell and Cohin. The Minister of . Public Works has siccecded to the seat prouously occupied ny Sir Joseph Ward, and Mr Ilanan occupied Sn Jas Carroll's old place. Messrs Laurenson and Buxton were in the bench behind. Tc Rangiluroa did not take his place on the Ministerial benches. Theie was aji interesting gathering on one of the back benches on the Government side of the House. At one end was the former Prime Minister, at the other the membei for Bay of Islands; next to Sir Joseph Ward sat Mcssis Sykes and Bradney, two Opposition members, and next to Mr Reed, the former Minister ,6f Public Works.

Among tl ise who wore not present wero Sir Jas. Carroll, Hon. A. T. Ngata, Hon. J. A. Millar, Mr G. J. Andeison and Mr W, H. Hemes. Subsequently leave of absence for a •week was granted to Mr Millar, and for, three days to Mr Anderson.

MR MASSEY GETS IN EARLY. Any attempt to forestall a want of confidence motion from Ihe Leader of the Opposition was anticipated by Mr Massey, who took good care'there should be no'.fullilment of the rumour that has been current that somo other ambitious member would attempt the defeat of the Government. Immediately the Speaker asked for notices of" motions, Mi Massey rose and announced that when the Addrcss-in-Reply was moved ho would move "a certain amendment." "HARDY ANNUALS." Theie was the usual vigorous appearance of "hardy annuals" this afternoon Mr Witty (Riccarton) gave notice of the Land Agents' Registration Bill; Mr Herdmniu (Wellington North) announced for the fourth time the Public Service Reform Bill, and Mr Fisher (Wellington Central) gave notice of the Marriage Act Amendment Bill, a legacy from iho "Father of the House," nqw ; retired; to the Upper Chamber. There was general amusement when.Mr Hunter (Waipawa) again addressed to the Minister for Eailways his proposal that on long distance trains a carriage should be. reserved for mothers and others travelling with children.■.■■'■

Labour representatives announced a number of Bills. Mr Payne gave notice of a Prevention of Acquirement of Unearned Increment Bill, a Worker's Right to Worker's Wages Bill, a Workers' Minimum Wage Bill, and an Arbitration Act Amendment Bill. Mr Hindmarsh declared his. intention of introducing a Legislature Amendment Bill, and a limitation of Distress for Rent 8i11."..",' ~"•• ; •■•• ' ; '

MR PAYNE.ANDHIS PRICE.

iPEB PeEAB ASSOCIATION.) CHRISTCHURCH, June 27,

At the annual meeting of the Canterbury GenenirLabourers''Union, a letter wire-' ceiveel from Mr J. Payne, M.P. for ''"vey Lynn, as a reply to; a resolution forwarded to'him by the Union,; asking him to vote against any Government, that would not agree to, repeal the compulsory clauses of the TJefcnce Act. The letter,concluded as follows .'—"Believe mo; if. it comes down to' my voto at the. coming, no-confidence motion to save,the Government, one of the things asked as .my price iwilkbe the abolishing of .the compulsory, clauses of' the Defence Act." ' , ■ POINTS FROM THE ; SPEECH.: ; • Following is a brief summary of some of the important points of. the Governor's Speech;.— ! '-"; Railways.—Light lines to. act, as feeders to main lines. Improved suburban services. Children.up to the age of five years to travel free and at quarter rates from five to Jourteen years. Administration of the Railway' Department.to be reorganised. Land'.—Proposals to prevent aggregation. Increase .in the graduated; tax on large holdings. Facilities' to. enable the "small man" .to, go on the land. Compulsory resumption of estates. Trafficking in Crown lands to be,checked..." ..,;..

Defence.—Military detention in a camp or barracks instead of .'imprisonment in failuro or refusal .to parade. Junior cadets to bo demilitarised. ''Agriculture-Establishment' of colleges ' and additional experimental farms. Old-age pensions for women at sixty years. '' . '■■ ' , Tariff to be. revised ;to lower the cost ot certain articles in common use. , Differentiation betweon earned and unearned incomes for taxation purposes. ; Encouragement of fruit-growing. " . Amendment of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act. ..," ' . Education Act to be amended to bring higher education within easier, reach of, deserving'persons. ; ; .■_ ' - further legislation against trusts anil combines. •" : '■' . . ""■" •■'. Reciprocal treaty with Australia. Improvement of the hospital system. Preferential voting at general elections. "Reasonable hours", for Parliament. . An amended Local Government Bill. Co-operative .banks for farmers. Retiring allowance for "men who have served a.lengthy period in.Parliament,- y