PARLIAMENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 10120, 30 October 1917, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. EMPLOYMENT OF DISABLED SOLDIERS. (Pan Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 20. The Legislative Council met- tit 2.30 tun. The Statute, Law Amendment Bill was lead a first Line. In moving the second reading. Sir rranois Bell said that the Government intended to place in a new form the nrovisions for suspending and modifying the labour laws and awards, so as to permit of the employment of disabled soldiers, and suggested that power should be given to the Arbitration Court to bring (he law into effect. They wished to work with organised labour in this matter.

Hon. Mr Aitkcn condemned the section providing power for the Minister for Education to make regulations. Last year a similar power was given, amt the regulations took the power from the Education Boards. The Bill was read a second time.

In committee, on the motion of Sir Francis Bell, clause 19, relating to the suspension of awards to facilitate the employment of disabled soldiers, was struck out.

A new clause was added, providing for the detention in police stations of persons sentenced to imprisonment for less than seven days, or where there is' no police gaol or prison, detention in a police station for not more than seven days of persons

sentenced to- more than seven days on awaiting trial. The other clauses were passed, and pro gress reported on the Bill. house of representatives. WAR LEGISLATION.

The House met at 2.30 p.m., and proceeded to consider the amendments made by the Legislative* Council in the War Legislation Bin.

Hon Mr Hcrdman explained that the Council had amended clause 16 by extending relief to contractors who entered into contracts before or after the passing of the Act if contracts were interfered with by war conditions. The Council had also amended clause, 29, by providing that if any civil si rvant, whose- services are compulsorily retained by the State, refuses to do any work, his superannuation rights shall not bo preserved to him. The Minister moved that the amendments be agreed to. Several members urged that such conditions should not bo forced upon men who earned letiring allowances, and who were entitled to retire if they wished to do so. They pointed out that if a civil servant was entitled to retire on an allowance of £2 and : hould be compelled to remain at £3, ho would be working for only £1 a week. That was unfair. The Mon. Mr Herdnian said the position was that many young men were leaving the service to go to the front to light for those who remained behind, and it was not much to make, to remain in the service, and give the country the benetit of their long experience. However, in order to prevent a Jong debate and save time, he was quite- prepared to disagree, with the amendment, about which lie was not. very pa rticular. This was agreed to, and Messrs Buddo, Veitch. and Parr, and the lion. Mr Herdman were appointed to draw up the reason* for disagreeing.