HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14279, 30 July 1908, Page 8

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29. The House met at 2.30 p.m. In reply to Mr Fisher, the PRIME MINISTER said that tho Government had no knowledge of the alleged appointment of ' E. J. Jackett, full back in the British football team, to a position in tho Tourist Department. NEW BILLS. The following bills were introduced and read a first time:—Auckland and Manukau Canal Bill (Mr Kidd), Hawera Technical School Site Exchange Bill (Mr Major). ANSWERS" TO QUESTIONS. In answer to questions, Ministers stated: That no one had teen sent or authorised by the New Zealand Government to examine into tho conditions of prohibition in the United States or elsewhere. That the proposal to make special provision to enable sick persons to record their votes at the general elections had liecn negatived by the House in 1902 and 1905. That "The Dog Registration Act, 1880." could not ho amended in the direction of ■ providing that in country districts all dogs must be chained up at night. That it would not' bo practicable to arrange for tho population of cities and towns boing compiled in regard to a fixed radius from the centre. That full inquiry would bo mado into the conditions of the timber industry. That further relief by way or reducing the freight on sheep to farmers could not be granted, That free passes could not bo granted to , mayors and their wives attending the reception of the fleet at Auckland, as this would constitute preferential treatment. That the freight on fencing wire could not be reduced any further, * That in view of the improvements in pay and allowances to tho police force made recently, the Government could not see its way to make further increases. That the Government could not seo its way to reduce the duties on such momBanes of lifo as were still taxed-e.g., clothing, boots and shoes, frnits, jams, and so on,—as to do so would endanger longestablished local industries. That the question of allowing lessees to come under the Advances to Workers Act was at present under consideration. That there was no intention to amend th© Fencing Act this session. That the introduction of tho Birds Nuisance Act Amendment Bill was under consideration, • That it vas outside tho functions of the Govcrnmont to establish mild salting and canning establishments. That the principle of purchasing blocks of land in the neighbourhood of. country towns- and villages to supnly agricultural resident labourers with small areas to settle on and cultivate had been toicd, without success. That the small cost of any improvements which might be required under the dair<regnlations would not be sufficient to warrant exemption from- the (Rating Act. That it was customary to revise tho list of school books every thrco years, but no stops had been taken towards the next revisjon pending the. decision of tho Government on tho propcrtil to 6olvc in a different way the difficulties surrounding the whole matter. OLD-AGE PENSIONS. On the report of the committee recommending to the Government's favourable consideration tho petition of an old and honoured Christchuxch lesidont for an oldage pension, from which, under the present act, ho is debarred \because ho has a small residential property, several ruombers spoke of tho deserving nature of tho case. General discussion ensued, showing that the general opinion of tho Houso was strongly in favour of an amendment of tho Old-age Pension Act in tho direction. (1) of not debarring old people from the benefits of tho' act, becauso thrift had enabled them to make small provision or possess a small residential property; (2) of not cancelling a pension for five years for exceptional cases of drunkenness, which was equivalent to a fmo of lOrt weekly for five years, whereas the ordinary penalty is nothing Like that; (3) of not absolutely debarring old residents of good character, simply because they wero unable to produce documentary evidence of a«e. Tho PRIMIE MINISTER, in replying to criticisms_ of tho administration of the Oldage Pensions Department, said he did not know a more capable or more painstaking officer than the ono who controlled that department. No doubt members desired to see tho act amended, but it was hardly fair to blame the responsible officer, lie did not intend to debate the question now, because he had already intimated that the act was lo bo amended. Whilst tho Government intended to do what -it could for tho descJving, there could not bo unlimited liberty made for those obtaining small sums to dissipate them without having some real rim ion placed on thyn. He hoped to submit his proposals later on in the session. CLAIM Fo>l ASSISTANCE. On tho report of the Petitions Committee on tho petition of John Frcobody, who many yoara ago was wrongly imprisoned, for assistance until he should roach the age at which ho should qualify for tho oldngo pension, recommending trio same to tho Government's favourable consideration, ' several members spoke in support of the petitioner. The PRIME MINISTER arid (ho Government would give tho case careful consideration at the proper time. The case was an unusual ono—that of an old man who 23 years ago had Ixsen wrongfully imprisoned, and who now in his old ago found himself in a position of want. The representations mado that afternoon would receive coni-idoration.—(" Hear, hear.") THE BARE MAJORITY. The Licensing Polls. Absolute Majority Kill, which was sot down for its second reading, was withdrawn on tho motion of Mr LAURENSON. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ORIIICISED. < The usual discussion on questions was then proceeded with. Mr WILFORD look strong exception to ' the statement rtade by the Minister of ' Justice in reply to a question put by Mr ' Colvin asking whether it was true that the Justice Department was employing tlie Crown Prosecutor of Westland to defend ' Connelly, who wis charged with having committed perjury at West-port, and who '■ was the principal witness for the police at < the trial on a charge of murder brought *gainst Anderson and Hallinen, also ' whether it was also true that a chief ' detective and an inspector of police were instructing and assisting the Crown Pro- ' seeutor in the defence of Connelly. The MINISTER, in his reply, stated that as Counolly was entirclv without < means counsel was provided for him in 1 accordance with tho usual practice in such j cases. Mr Wilford objected lo Ihp words | "usual practice in such cases." lie said i he bad never heard of such a doctrine. It . seemed customary to get those who were used to agriculture to reply on questions of law, but he would tell the Minister of Justice, with considerable knowledge of > wliat lie was talking about, that ibis sooallcd usual practice had only been adopted , three limes in 17 years, and then only on ] request of a judge in the court. In this , aw the Crown was prosecuting, because, ( though a private person might have insti- t sated tlie prosecution, the court had held ] that in such cases the information must bo drawn in form of a- public prosecution. ( Tlie Crown was then both prosecuting and i defending. The whole question of whether | tlie Government should defend those accused of crime as well as prosecute them was involved. He thoucrlit thero should , he public defenders as well as public pro- | secutnrs. but at present there was none. The Minister's reply was therefore incomprehensible. FLOUR DUTY ABOLITION. i Mr HOGG moved the second reading of ' the Flour Duty Abolition Bill. He said ( he did so in pursuance of a promise made last session, though as the occupants of ; the Treasury benches and the front Oppo- ( silion bench were against him. he bad : little hope of success, But as long as he vras spared he would fight the bread tax, 1 ■which .was a most najicfis-ary imposition, t

Of course, thero must bo a difference of opinion, ami those voting against it would say it would ruin (ho wheat-growers, flourmillers, and artisans engaged in the industry. He had no wish to harm any industry, but lie must consider the effect of the. duty on a, necessary of life like bread upon tho whole community. They were told that ull over the Dominion wheatgrowing: was on the decline, and was being ' displaced by dairying and sheep-farming, J nut that was so .only because the latter < forms of farming were found to bo more profitable. Larger and larger quantities of flour had to be imported. Why should they have lo iniposo n 20s tax in addition I to tho freight on flour? Tho tax was a cruel and inquitous one, and fell upon the consumers, who were chiefly workers. Tho lax had been removed from kerosene, • sugar, and tea, and why was it maintained ' on our daily broad? "He wondered how Ministers could say the Lord's Prayer— ' live finest utterance, known to men,—arjd still maintain tho bread tax. Why should the milling i>cople be taxed merely to proJ teut one industryV Too often thoy found a combine of wheat merchants and flourmillers to rob tbo public. He said so advisedly. The usual arguments would be , used against him that many would bo ' thrown out of work, that many, millers ! would stop, and that much disaster would • follow, but all such arguments wero non- ' sense. .There wero 77 mills in New Zea- ' land. The millers had imported thrco times tho machinery required, and npw said protect us, so that we may not loso money, in the same way as other specula- ! tore who made mistakes. Tbo tolal number • of hands employed in the milk? was 510, or half the number of waterside workers in Wellington. In 1903 tho Governor's Speech, referring to trusts and combines, had stated that the Government considered [ it desirable to pass legislation to insure , fair competition. Where was that legislation? It was a pity that it had not been passed. One heard a. great nfeal aibout sweating in connection with the wages system, but he said that no sweating- was so baxl as that imposed on the people by t|ie traders—merchants, as they called themselves, but privileged brigands, freeIjooters, epoilators, as he called them. What was wanted was more direct taxa- , tion and less taxation through the Customs. All necessaries should be free. On a division the second reading was lost by 33 voles to 22. Tho division list was as follows: — Ateß; ' Messrs Arnold, Barber, Ba-ume, Davey, Ell, Fisher, Gray, Helte, Hogan, Hogg, Lauichson, Malcolm, Okey, Porata, Poland, .Remington, Eoss, Seddon, Eidey, Tanner, Wilford. Noesv Messrs Aitlten, E. G. Alien, Barclay Buddo, Carroll, Chappie, Dillon, Duncan, Flatman, Fowlds, Graham, Greenslade, Hanan, Hardy, Ilorrics, Kidd, Lawry, Lewis, M'Gowan, K. ll'Kenzie, T. Mackenzie, M'Nab, Macpherson, Major, Mander, Mas=ey, Roidj, Rhodes, Steward, Thomson, Ward, Witty, Wood. . ' L Pairs.—For: Messrs Izard, Colvin, and Syraos. Against • Messrs Hornsby, Houston, and Field. ' UNDERGROUND WORKERS. Mr R. M'KENZIE,' on behalf of Mr Guinness, moved tho second reading of tho Hours of Underground Workers' Bill. Ho explained tliat the object of the bill was to limit the leaigth of a day's work to eight hours, to make it optional to •work for longer than that period at overtime rates, and to provide half an hour for mealtime, 6uch conditions being unalterable by any court of arbitration. Several members spoko in strong support of the measure. Dr OHAPPLE spoko at some length of the injurious effect upon the health of underground work. He was generally opposed to statute law interfering with the freedom of tho Arbitration Court, but in this case he approved of the application of that principle. Tho Hon. Mr M'GOWAN said he agreed with tho principle of the bill. The Government had tho matter under consideration. Theje wore some .defects in the present bill. For example, it was not wanted so far as metal mines were concerned, as statutory provision in respect of these in regard to hours. existed. The elaueo regarding mealtime, required alteration. Many mines gave "more than half an hour for meals, and if tho clause remained as it was drafted' tho minimum of half an hour wouid become the maximum. He would support the bill to give it the second., reading, but neither in titlo or in clauses did it quite meet requirements. He would 6ay that no mine-owner should, agree to only 15 minutes for meals, as that would bo injurious to the men. Tho PRIME MINISTER said he did not question the- rig-fit of a member to .bring down, that bill, but ho would point out (hat during the recent acute trouble on the West Ccast he and the Minister of Labour had visited the Coast, and investigated the matter, and had promised to submit an amendment of the mining laws. Tho Government proposed to introduce that legislation this session to deal with the bank to bank clause. It was for tho Government to accept responsibility. Ho strongly objected to clause 3, which was a refiection_ upon tho Arbitration Court, whether intended to be 60 or not. It was a bird principle to introduce into the bill a clause which was unnecessary, and which merely cast a reflection upon a court constituted by Parliament to administer tho law. Mr LEWIS said ho agreed with the Prime Minister in his objection to clause 3, as reflecting upon the Arbitration Court. Ho : pointed out that tho court could not reduce the hours below eight hours under that clause. Mr BAUME protested strongly again6t clause 3, and said thai, if Parliament interferrcd with tho Arbitration Court that court might as well be abolished. So long as tho court existed Parliament must not adopt a policy of nullifying; tho decisions of the court, otherwise Parliament would inevitably bocomo an Arbitration Court, and both employers and employees would continually apply to it for a statutory remedy against tho decisions of the court. Mr M'KEKZIE, in reply, said that so far as tho West Coast went the objection, to tho Arbitration Court was due to tho fact that the court had taken upon itself to create a law, and not merely to administer it. It was right for the Government lo take up the measure, but if it did not doll with tho matter a private measure was j entitled to do so. ' Tho second reading was carried on the , voices, and the bill was referred to the • Minos Committee. A MISTAKE. i I The SPEAKER announced that a mistake '' ! had been made "in the division list on the . Flour Duty Abolition Bill, the Hon. Mr : Fowlds being shown as having voted on ' both sides. Mr FOWLDS explained that he had voted ] in the Noes lobby, and had never been near the Ayes lobby. Tho division lists ! were amended accordingly; Ayes 21, noes DESTITUTE PERSONS. ! Mr FISHER moved tho second reading ( of the Destitute Persons Act Amendment Bill, to provide that magistrates shall not make an order for payment against any , grandfather, grandmother, or prandehildrcn . of any destitute porson unless first satisfied , that proper steps or proceedings have been j taken against other near relatives, and . that such relatives are jiot able to main- ' tain or contribute to the maintenance. '. Tho Hon. Mr FOWLDS said the bill , introduced an imnortant innovation in the | existing law. Tf passed it would Wake , it practically impossible for the State to , collect maintenance ;;; connection with ] mental asylums or industrial schools. , The second reading was carried on tho | voices. AUCTIONEERS ACT AMENDMENT. ; Mr WITTY moved the second reading ' of the Auctioneers Act Amendment Bill. f Hesaid he desired that an auctioneer should ' he enabled lo take out a license in a place ' where ho did the bulk,of his business, and j lie also desired to malic it clear that auctionocrs must sell to the highest bidder, which was not always done. Considerable discussion ensued upon the ? merits of the propositi and its effects, the i majority o{ the speakers being opposed | to the bill in its present form. Several 1 members pointed out that if ihe bill w<... passed in its present form it would give t the bull: of the fees to the borough coun- i cils, though tho bulk of the slock sold by i the auctioneers passed only over roads coii- j trolled by the county councils or other local I bodies. Mr WITTY, in replying said the dim- l culty regarding ihe allocation of fees might s bo got over by the payment of thorn to the charitable aid authority in reduction f oHho rales payable by the local bodies. i The bill was read a. second time, and was ; referred to the joint Agricultural and Sltock < Committee. < LOCAL ELECTIONS ACT. l Sir WM. STEWARD moved the second reading of the Local Elections Act Amend- ? input, Bill to amend a technical defect in : tho principal act. General approval was ex-pressed Ihore- ' with, and ihe second reading was agreed to on iho voices.

f JACKETT'S ALLEGED APPOItfT--1 MENT, The PRIME MINISTER informed the. - House that he had wired to Mr Donne in • Auckland concerning tho question asked by j Mr Fisher that afternoon regarding the 1 alleged appointment of E. J. Jackett, Ihe 3 British footballer, lo the Tourist Dopart- " ment, Mr Donne's reply stated that ho J knew nothing of any' such appointment. > He had not met, and did not know, l ' Jackett, * The Houso rose at 11.38 p.m.