PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19798, 19 November 1927, Page 13

PARLIAMENT.

[WORK OF THE HOUSE. SEVERAL BILLS PASSED. THE PUBLIC SERVICE. AMENDING LEGISLATION. Xby telegraph.— special reporter. ] WELLINGTON, Friday. As the result' of to-day's deliberations in the House of Representatives the Order Paper was farther reduced in size. Part of the afternoon was devoted to a brief debate on the report of the committee which inquired into the circumstances of the publication of some criticism of members of Parliament. The Public Service Amendment Bill was passed after a brief discussion. In the evening further consideration was given to tha Child Welfare Amendment Bill and to alterations made in three measures by the Legislative Council. The outcome of the sitting was the passing of the Public Servico Amendment Bill, the Child Welfare Amendment Bill and several local bills. The House rose at 9.10 p.m. until 7.50 p.m. on Monday, In the Legislative Council to-day the Rent Restriction Continuance Bill was read a second time. The Seeds Importation Bill was passed without amendment, and the Newmarket Borough Council Vesting and Empowering Bill was also passed unamended. HUMOUR IN HOUSE. THE MOTOR REGULATIONS. SOME CONFLICTING PROVISIONS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Friday A good laugh was provided the House to-day, when Mr T. M. Wilford (Hutt> drew the attention of the Minister of Public Works. Hon. K. S, Williams, to some of the proposals in the recently issued draft motor regulations, and asked him to "look into the question in the l'ght of common sense before the regulations were allowed to be put on an unsuspecting public. "I will quote three of the regulations," said Mr. Wilford. "A driver who blows his horn while his vehicle is stationary is liable to a penalty of £50." (Laughter.) " Here's another. There is a £SO penalty for removing 'either hand from the steer ing wheel,' unless the vehicle is under 'full control.' (Laughter.) There is also & £SO penalty for not removing one hand to give signals to someone behind." I *(Loud laughter.) Tho Minister, who joined in the merri ment, smilingly asked the member to put his question on the Order Paper to give him time to go into the matter. QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE. CLERGYMAN'S STATEMENT. REPORT BY COMMITTEE. [BY TELEGRAPH.^—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Friday. The circumstances surrounding the breach of its privileges which the House of Representatives decided had been committed by the publication of criticism concerning tho voting of members on the Religious Exercises in Schools Bill were placed before the House to-day. The chairman of the Committee of Privileges, Mr. E. P. Lee, reported that the committee had heard evidence from the editor and publisher of the Evening Post, and from the Rev. E. D. Patchett, minister of the Thorndon Methodist Church, a report of whose remarks said:—"He expressed his contempt for those who put party politics and electioneering expediency before the welfare of the children and the country, while the action of those who pretended to commend the Nelson system only to kill the bill was hypocritical and despicable." It was stated by Mr. Lee that the refort bad been supplied to the newspaper y the Rev. F. B. Lawrence, official reporter to the Methodist Synod, and in his evidence. Mr. Patchett claimed that the report was a bald statement that did not adequately convey his meaning as it did not give the context. His remarks were made from written notes, but the committee thought there was no material difference between the published statement and the notes. Since hearing the evidence, Mr Lee said, he had received a letter from the clergyman in which he requested:—(l) That he be completely exonerated from censure for having made the statements, and that ail imputations made against him in the House as a minister of religion be withdrawn; (2) that he be permitted to make his defence before the Bar of the House. The report added that the solicitor for Mr. Patchett said he did not question at all the accuracy of tho report supplied by the synod. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. H. E Holland, suggested that the House should go no further in the matter. He thought the incident would bo a lesson to !Vir. Patchett. Mr. H. Atmoro (Nelson) said he had been asked to raise the question originally in the House. The statement made by Mr. Patchett was absurd and irrespons ible. "Tho extravagance of the language used shows that the reverend gentleman lost his head, and having done so, h<3 became a silly man instead of a sensible one," paid Mr. T. M. Wilford (Hutt). "Let us look upon it a3 the action of who was temporarily unaocountable." The report was laid on the table. PRIVATE MEASURES. iPLEA FOR CONSIDERATION. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL ItEPORTER. ] WELLINGTON, Friday The provision of an opportunity before the end of the session for the consideration of private members bills on the order paper was sought by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr, H. E. Holland, in the House to-dav. Mr. Holland said certain of the bills were of considerable importance. He wa3 particularly concerned about the Crimes Amendmont Bill, which 6tood in his name. The Prime Minister, Mr. Coates. said hp, was unable to say whether the opportunity asked for could be given. A great deal would depend upon the amount of public business, and he anticipate*, a rush It was hoped to introduce two new Government bills to-day, but cnlty was being experienced and their appearance might have to be postponed until Monday. He would consider the request, and if the opportunity occurred it might be possible to consider one pr two bills.