PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIX, Issue 13902, 1 November 1919, Page 8

PARLIAMENT.

Peii Press Association. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WELLINGTON, October 31. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. •Sir Francis Bel! gave notice of liis intention to introduce the Institute of Architests Amendment Bill. On the proposal to go into Committee on the Coalmines Amendment Bill, the Hon. J. T. ; Paul suggested that the proposed State collieries should not be limited to Iho carriage of State coal. Ho protested against the proposal to bring' Supreme Court Judges into the question as to whether the Minister should allow men, with less than the qualifications at "present stipulated, to work on a face in a coal mine. Judges should be kept free of politics. If the Government wanted a solution of the coal problem, it should adopt the Writley system. The Hon. J, Gow supported the strike-breaking clause. The Hon. J. Garland and Hon. W. Earnshaw thought that State colliers for carriage of State coal only would not be sufficient. Sir W. Buchanan said that the country must defend itself, as it was continually "stuck up" by a small section of the community. Sir Francis Bell said that the power about which there had been -so much discussion was essential in emergencies. The only amendment made by the Mines Committee in the Bill was to put the provision in regard to judges in a more proper form in Committee. The Hon. J. MacGregor wished to safeguard the mining companies from being unduly harrassed under the clause giving the Minister power to require owners of coal-bearing lands to work them or forfeit them. He suggested adding a proviso that in cases' where the owner is already carrying on mining operations eapa.ble of being extended in time over the whole area the clause should not apply.

Sir Francis Bell contended that no Minister would exercise the power unless justified in the interests of the community in insisting on further 'development.

The Hon. C. Alison protested strongly against the power proposed to be given to the Minister. The Hon. J. T. Paul said that the clause, fairly administered, would proi tect the interests of the community. The Hon. J. Grimmond supported the amendment. Sir William Hall-Jones considered that the proposal to take coal land at merely double the surface value was unfair. He felt, too, that the powers might be misused in some circumstances. The original clause was retained by 13 to 10. The proposal by the Hon. J. T. Paul to permit State colliers to carry coal from private mines was defeated. The Bill, was put through its final ■stages and passed. The Industrial and Provident Society's Amendment Bill was also "finally passed. A Bill to extend to the 31st December, 1920, the period for -registration of men who served beyond New Zealand was introduced, and passed its Committee stage. The Maori Representation and the Statutes Repeal -and Expiring Laws Continuance Bills, received from the House ; were passed through all the:r stages. The Council adjourned until 11 a.m. to-morrow.

HOUSE"' OF REPRESENTATIVES. / WELLINGTON, October 31. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Sir Joseph Ward asked Mr Massey if lie would appoint a commission to inquire into the falling-off of trade between New Zealand and the Cook Islands during the past-five years, and at the same time inquire into the great increase in trade between the Cook Islands and the United States of America. .-■.'•'

Mr Massey, in reply, said that' Cabinet had been considering" the matter, and had decided to set up a'-'commission of one or two to inquire into trade with the Islands. As soon as 'he could get a little more time he was going into f He" matter closely. He wouid acknowledge we were losing trade with the Islands and America was gaining, but perhaps this was due to the fact that copra was wanted in America and not wanted in New Zealand'. A great, deal could be done to bring IVjck the trade which we were losing and likely to lose if the proper steps, were not "taken. Replying to the Hon. R. "Heaton Rhodes, Mr Massey said that he would' next session consider the standardising of air space alllotted to each individual "an the accommodation provided, for shearers and agricultural laborers,; Replying to Dr Thacker, Mr Massey said that as soon as the Board of Trade was clear of its accumulation of work lie would ask it to look into the question of the prices charged for Island frmt. - " . Replying to Mr P. Fraser, Mr Massey said that a Bill amending widow's pensions was almost ready for submissioti to Gabinet. -.-.-.•:.- .Replying to Mr McCombs, Mr Massey said he could not promise to subsidise £ for*£ funds raised by development .leagues, as the money was required for more urgent, purposes than that mentioned. --■■/-. The following. Bills were ' introduced -by Governor's Message and; B*ad a first 'time: Government Railways Amendment Bill, and Housing Amendment Bill. Mr Massey explained that the amendments in the R./I'way Bill were practically amendments "made by the Railways Committee put in.letter form. The Housing Bill was a -consolidating measure, embracing the amendments suggested by the House, which musthe introduced by Governor's Message. There was a new clause giving tlie banks power to purchase land for the erection of dwellings thereon for employees. Hon. G. Coates explained that the Post and Telegraph Bill gave the Department control over the erection of private telephone lines along the main roads. It also, provided for appeal against non-promotion. Replying to Sir Joseph Ward, Mr Massey said that it was not. intended to hold a by-election for the Biiller district on the old boundaries, seeing that the general election will be held in a few weeks on the new boundaries.

Mr Speaker "announced that the amendment moved by the Minister in the Land Bill last night had been declared lost by 23 to 22. Since then an examination of the division list showed the figures should have been 23 to. 23. The clause would be' reinstated in another place, and • the member would have an opportunity of voting on it again".