PARLIAMENT

Northern Advocate, 27 August 1913, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

YESTERDAY'S SITTING. IRRIGATION BILL. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 27. The House met at 2.00 p.m. The Irrigation Water Supply Bill was introduced by Governor's Message. In reply to Mr. G. W. Russell (Avon) Mr.■ Massey (Prime Minister) said the Bill proposed to appropriate a sum not more than £100,000 for opening up lands for settlement in arid territories, principally Central ( Otago. I The House went into committee on the Public Trust Office Amendment Bill. I During the discussion on the short title Mr Herdman Minister in Charge of the Public Trust Department), in reply to Mr. Russell, declined to disclose the evidence taken by the Public Trust Office Commission. The evidence, he said, had been given under a distinct promise that it would be treated as confidential. At a later stage Mr. Russell elicited the fact that the Minister had seen the evidence, whereupon he declared the position most unfair to those who had given evidence under pledge of secrecy that their statements should be handed to the Minister and possibly made the subject of review by Cabinet. He contrasted this position with that taken up by the Public Service Commission under the Mackenzie Government who did not show the Government the evidence given under a bond of confidence. He contended that, as a member of Parliament, he had as much right to see confidential evidence as the Minister had. The short title then passed. Clause 3 "personnel of board," was on the motion of the Minister, amended so as to include the Minister for Finance. The proposal to include two non-official members on the board excited considerable criticism. Mr. McCallum (Wairau) moved to amend the clause so as to ensure appointees coming from the Public Service. The amendment was lost on the voices. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m.

EVENING SITTING. PUBLIC TRUST BILL. The House resumed at 7.3 0 p.m., and further considered the Public Trust Amendment Bill in committee. The Bill was reported with amendments. The Pensions Bill was then considered in committee, and was passed through with machinery amendments. The Mouse rose at 12.50 a.m.