PARLIAMENT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue XLVII, 8 November 1912, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

THE LEGISLATIVE CCUNCII

(United Pkbss Association. )

WELLINGTON, Nov. 7

The Legislative Council met at 11 a.m. and went into committee on the Wash-ni-Up Bill, which .was eventually read a third time and passed. ' The Council then adjourned, and resumed at 2.30 p.m. The following Bills were put through all stages: State Guaranteed Advances-, .Monopoly Prevention Amendment, Fisn<;ries Amendment, Shipping and Hea.rrren's Amendment, Harbour Amendment and the Telephone Lines Amendment A message was received froyi the House that it had disagreed with the Council's amendment in the Washing-Up Bill, the Speaker having ruled a. n-w clause out of ord<?r in that it was foreign >o the Bill.

The Hon. J. Rigg moved that the Council insist - tipon its amendment thatths successors to Ngaka.raih* Terango (deceased) should be allowed a, fresh krdicial inquiry into their claims .to a deceased sister's estate.

I After discussing the motion it «vas agreed to by 8 to 4. ) The .Council then rose at 8 p.m. 1 On. resuming it was agreed on the rerjort of the managers regarding the amendment to the Washing-Up Bill, to leave the -matter of the amendment in abeyance.

The Appropriation Bill was passed all stages. The Shipping and Seamen's Amendment Bill was reported by the Speaker as being reserved for the Royal assent.

HOUSE OF REPRESE'NTATI7£S. • The House met at 2.20 p.m. The House went into committee on the. Supplementary Estimates ;- working raii ways department, £846. •Mr. H. Poland moved a reduction of £1 on the ground that the compassionate allowance of £-50 to TVlr Adam Phillip was insufficient.

This was defeated oy 32 to 20. . On the Supreme Court vote Sir Joseph Ward nroved. ia. reduction of £1 in order to ascertain from the Attorney-General what method is followed in. the selecting of lawyers as King's Counsel. He askod whether these appointments were to be bestowed only on Auckland and Wellington lawyers. Welli-ngtcn already had a i-cnsiderable preponderance of the number of King's Counsel as compared with other centres. Mr. L. M. Isitt said Mr. C. B. Morrison was a prominent and enthusiastic Reform supporter, and such appoint--rents as this gave rise to the cry of "spoils to the victors."

The Hon. A. L. Herdman said lawyers desirous of this distinction must apply for it, and if they are worthy of it they ar? appointed. There had ibeen no applications from outside the four centres. Mr. Morrison's work on company law was practically a standard work, and he was recognised as an authority on Native matters.

Sir Joseph Ward said this was the first he had heard that lawvers had to apply for this distinction. The previous lot of appointments included prominent supporters of the then Opposition, such as the Hen. F. H. D. Bell.

Mr. T. fi. Dayey said it was strange that there weTe now seven King's Coup's 0 ! in Wellington, and only one :n 'Christchurch. Mr. Stratharr said it was recoenised in Dnnedj'n that the strongest -bar in. thi» Dominion was that of Wellington. S'r Joseph Ward urged that the -An r-ellate Court should sit in each cf the foiv centres in turn.

The item was passed unaltered. The Honsp then adjourned, and re sumed at 7.30 p.m.

In the Cook Islands vote, £Bl6, Messrs G. H. Aseott and J. B. Hine protested against keeping the Secretary of the Department in Wellington at £SCO per annum, and to the controversy over the medical officer in- the group. TV. Pomare replied that the Natives cf Cook Islands were better looked "iter thin anv other natives in the Pacific. Dr. Newman as>Vi°d whether the Government were taking 6teps to appoint a v°sid«*-it commis=ioner.

Dr. Pomare said the matter would be -cue fully into during the recess.

M'\ Mn-=«ey (hat i»n annnintnvMit. would prol-ably be made within a ver-- short period.

On 'ho miscllnneons services vnfe. Mr. G. T.nureu.spri exr-esso! ;iupreciat: ~" of the granting of a" annirty of £IFO "»r annum to Lad'- S'"ward. Ti> th° .rl'-fpiicp vote. Mr. Escott ask pr\ 'H« MinMer to gw-ant''" imt t,o *■>•- r-"-'l the *"=timate. 11° thought the d-ef°nc scheme wns nosting the country mere than it ought to. It would have