HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Northern Advocate, 3 October 1913, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Mr G. W. 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 with the Shops and Offices Bill. The House went into Committee to further consider the Police Force Bill. 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 out the harshness of the provision. The clause which provided for the punishment of members of the force who seek to influence an elector was altered to read that a culprit will be liable to a fine of not exceeding £25, instead of a minimum of £S and a maximum of £100. On the suggestion of Mr Hanan (Invercargill) the provision that anyone can sue for the recovery of 'the amount of the penalty was also deleted. Sir Joseph Ward contended that the whole Bill was too drastic. If the clause under discussion were incorporated in the measure no police«aan would feel safe. The Minister said the clause was very necessary. No policeman need 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. At the clause providing that the Minister may appoint committees of inquiry, Mr Veitch (Wanganui) moved to allow a recognised association of members of the force to make claims. The Hon. A. L. Herdman (Minister in charge of the police) said he had already explained his reasons for not allowing a police force association. Such a proceeding would be subversive of discipline of the force. He could not 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.

A new clause providing that the retiring age of police shall be 65, was added. The House divided on the amendment by Mr Witty (Riccarton), providing that every member of the force who feels aggrieved regarding promotion shall have the right of appeal, such appeal •to be heard within three months. The clause was rejected by 32 to 29. The Bill was reported with amendments.