PARLIAMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 23 October 1913, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (United Press. Association.) WELLINGTON. Oct. 22. The Legislative 'Council met- at 2.30 p.m. The Liin-cl Rill was introduced, aiid read the first time. The second reading lias been set down for to-morrow. The Public Trust Office Amendment Bill was read the third time, after the. Hon. G. Jones had defended the officers against the cha7ges of mismanagement. i Thirteen local Bills passed by the House were read the first time. The Hon. H. D. Bell moved the second reading of the Victoria College Amendment Bill, amending the constitution of the College. Oiie of the principal changes is the granting of two scats on the council to the professorial board, and one to the City Council of Wellington. The. total strength of the council has been reduced from 16 to 15. The Hou. G. J. Smijth pointed out that the constituency of. the college went far beyond the city of Wellington. If local bodies were given representation on the council, then local bodies in I'aranaki, Nelson, and Marlborough should, have a voice as well as the city of Wellington. The Hon. 0. ..Samuel opposed giving the professors a seat on the' council, to say what work they should do, how it should be done, and "whether it had been well done. Pie questioned the wisdom of the great expenditure on higher educa-v tion when primary education needed it more. ■ The Hon. J. Anstey contended that the general public- was not represented cm the council, that body being composed of educationalists. In the election of the Council the Bill bristled with plural voting. It was possible that a person who was a graduate of the college could have as many as eight votes. I "The Hon. J. R. Sinclair commended | the Bill as being a harmonious step- in ' the ladder of our scheme of education. The Hon. H. D. 8011, in reply, defended the inclusion of the City Council on the board of management because the college was in Wellington.. It was advisable to get that body to take the keenest interest in the welfare of the institution. The ''' principle worked well in Dimcdin. and he. looked forward to equal benefits in Wellington. The Bill was read the second time.The Hon. Mr Bell moved the second reading of the Stallions Bill, which pro, vi.les that all horses (except those registered in the New Zealand Stud Book, or. used for stud purposes at- the commencement of the Act J must be examined, and licensed. The Bill was read the second time, and referred to the Stock Committee for a reu'ort. The Hon. Mr Bell moved the second reading of the Public Works Amendment Bill, providing for a more elastic arrangement ill the appointment of the president of the Compensation Court. The Bill was read a'set'ond time. The Council adjourned at 4.53 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. • The House of Representatives met at. 2:30 p.m. -Replying to Sir Joseph Ward,- the •■.Prime Minister stated that he had no official information froir. Huntly. He wis, : however, m.bving in the matter. -- Sir Joseph Ward r asked'that the mi-., mites of the committee that dealt with the Defamation Bill be placed.before the House. - He- felt that the .'Government was endeavouring'to rush the Bill through this "session, imt he could, assure .the ...Government that tire Opposition did-not ■■intend to let the Bill through this..ses>. sLrm in the form it how was.,.. . The Hon. A. L. Herdman said the Bill aimed at. .bringing .the libel law up to date, so that it could be understood by thfc people and newspaper men. The Bill was the outcome-oi a deputation of responsible men., wKo, waited on the Prime Minister during the reCess. There Was no intention on the part of the Government of' endeavouring to hurry the Bill through. Messrs G. \V.-. Russell and T. M. Wilfovd urged the.Governmont not to go on with the Bill this session, holding that the measure was pi a highly contentious -character, and would unduly prolong.the •bush:Oss ".of the'isession. * ■ '■" '' " : '" :" . Thevllon. W. E. Massey said the Bill "was the ' outcome, of an iftiporta'iit "a'n<L ■influential deputation "waiting "■ ort him. during the recess.; The 'deputation re- ; " (.presented the whole of the Press of' the•'■ country, .'and they; had; representx! z that'' ..the law.'-was obsolete, -and not in accords '.with the law of other countries. He ,% did~; not think that. Siri Joseph Ward .was-.jus-i----tifi.ed.iii saying tliat the Bilh would-not go through, this, session. •■ He-wished I 'it. to be, understood that so long.as he occu>- \ pied a seat on the Treasury ■ benches he was' going to control the business .of .the Hpuse.' ..■ ...-■■■■. ''-';' •-,'■ On a motion to adopt the.committee e report of-the Judicature Bill,. Sir Joseph Ward sought to'discover upon whose recommendation the proposal to appoint two'aaditional Supreme Court judges .was. made. He' was" riot prepared. to .-support the expenditure of six or eight thousand per aiuium of the country's money without having.the fullest details concerning, the proposed appointments. . Mr Herdman replied that, he could not give the iHouse' confidential information, till the proper time.(the second reading). He would tell, the House what lie .could. It "Jiad ' been recognised generally, that the judges were overworked, and. that there was room for additions to the Bench. - , . • , TT The Prime Minister read to the House a cable received from...the . High Commissioner to-dav„ concerning the Islington JOairy Show". "In, view .of the fact that there had been so much talk in connection with the quality of New Zealand's produce," said Mr Massey, "the fact that New Zealand had been so successful should speedily establish the position of the country." ' Sir Joseph Ward congratulated the country and the prize-takers on the position as disclosed by lr Massey. It demonstrated that our produce, must be reckoned as amongst the best in the world. ' The House then adjourned, and. resumed at 7.30 p.m. The amendments made in committee to the River Beard Amendment, WaterSupply Amendment, and Rangitikei Land Drainage Amendment Bills were agreed to on the voices, and. th& Bills read the third time, and passed. _ On the third reading of the Police Force Bill, Sir Joseph Ward protested against the Minister's refusal to set up a court of appeal in connection with the force, or permit the formation of a nonpolitical association, when experience proved that similar privileges promoted peace and - contentment in other branches of the service. . ■ Mr W. A. Veitch, in supporting Sir Joseph Ward's view, advised the Minister to cease sitting on the safety valve, otherwise there ..-.would: be an.' explosion in this branch ofjthe- Public Service. Mr J. Pavne chide' 1 Mr Herdman. with