N.Z. PARLIAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3212, 6 October 1915, Page 11

N.Z. PARLIAMENT.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22. LOCAL RAILWAYS. The Local Railways Act Amendment Bill was read a third time, and passed. SALE OF FOOD AND DRUGS. The Hon. Mr MACDONALD moved tho second reading of tho Sale of Foods and Drugs Act Amendment Bill, which, he explained, was. intended to secure that imported eggs should be so marked. Mr WITTY congratulated tho Government on the introduction of the Bill, the second reading of which was carried on tho voices. MARRIAGE BILL. The lion. Mr RUSSELL moved the second reading of the Marriage Act Amendment Bill, a measure which ho said was necessary to bring the Marriage Act into harmony with tho recently passed amendment of the Births and Deaths Registration Act. Clause 3 provided that in the case of soldiers who had enlisted, tho customary throe days’ residence might be dispensed with. The House then wont into committee on both Bills, which were reported without amendment, road a third time, and passed. Tho House rose at 11.55 p.m. CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION. In regard to tho petition of Roy Myor, a special constable, who prayed for compensation for the loss of his horse, valued at £lO, at tho time of the strike, the committee recommended favourable consideration, with tho proviso that the Government should first ascertain that the claim was a just one. The report was debated at length, the discussion being interrupted by tho dinner adjournment. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. In reply to the Flon. Mr Jones, tho LEADER of the COUNCIL said the Government could not lay on the table of the Council .a copy of tho report on the manufacture of munitions and tho groat mineral resources of New Zealand, written by Mr A. R. Scnnelt, M.1.M.E., recently at the instance of the Minister of Defence. The document was marked confidential. The following Bills were read a second time:—Savings Banks Act Amendment, Fruit Preserving Industry Act Amendment, Scenery Preservation Act Amendment, National Provident Fund Act Amendment, Papakura Beach Vesting, Wyndham Recreation Reserve Act Amendment, Wellington and Karori Sanitation and Water Supply Act Amendment, Tokomaru Bay Ffarbour, and Christchurch Electric Supply Empowering Act Amendment. The Bills were reported from committee without amendment, read a third tune, and passed. The Bluff Harbour Improvements Bill was read a second time, reported with one slight amendment and read a third time, and passed. The Council rose at 4.5 p.m. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The following Bills were read a second time.—Hutfc Road Bill, Local Railways Act Amendment Bill, Sale of Food and Drugs Act Amendment Bill, Cook Islands Bill, and Land Transfer Act Compulsion Bill. These Bills were reported from committee without amendment, read a third time, and passed. In speaking on the Sale of Food and Drugs Bill, the Hon. Mr BARR complained of tho laxity in carrying out the provisions of the main Act. He specially alluded to complaints of short weight in bread, and urged a strict analysis of all liquors sold. Why allow people, ho asked, to be poisoned owing to faulty administration of the law? This apathy was not creditable to the department, which should act on the initiative of its officers and not wait for complaints before taking action. The Council rose at 11 p.m. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The A to L Petitions Committee, in reporting on tie petition of W. J. Monaghan and five otters, who prayed that they be granted the Maori war medal, recommended that the petition be referred to the Government. NEW BILLS. The Mining Act Amendment Bill and the Kauri Gum Industry Act Amendment Bill were introduced by Governor’s Message, and read a first time. The PRIME MINISTER explained that the latter Bill simply made some necessary amendments g’ving the officer in charge of tho Government gum areas some additional authority. DISCHARGED SOLDIERS’ SETTLEMENT BILL. The second reading of the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Bill was moved by tho PRIME MINISTER. He said the title of the measure almost completely explained its purpose. The land to be utilised for this purpose would be cither Crown land or land purchased under the Land for Settlement Act. There was some land in the Hutt, some in tho north of Auckland, and. some in Central Otago very suitable for this purpose. It would bo necessary to assist some of tho soldiers with funds, and £50,000 was named in tho Bill. This would probably not be sufficient, but it was enough to start with. The future could safely bo left to the Government of the day, whether the National Cabinet or any other. Clause 10 provided that any land included in the national endowment and used for the settlement of soldiers could not bo sold at any time. The Bill had been generally approved _ by tho Lands Committee, and, in his opinion, it was a very necessary piece of legislation. Mr WITTY congratulated the Government on tho introduction of tho Bill, but doubted if tho £50,000 set apart to assist the soldier settlers wan sufficient. Mr .E NEWMAN expressed the opinion that the provisions of the Bill should not bo confined to soldiers and sailors, but should bo extended to the noble band of women who had gone to the front as nurses. The expenditure of £50,000 in keeping our returned soldiers on the land would bo one of tho finest investments the dominion could make. Mr HUDSON urged the exorcise of tho greatest care in tho selection of the land occupied unde- tho Bill. Soil, climate, aspect, and transport facilities should be taken Into consideration, especially if the land was to he used for fruit-growing. Mr JF.NNINGS welcomed tho provision la tho Bill which prevented the soldier

settler from getting into the hands of the speculator. Mr WEBB advocated a course of instruction at an agricultural college for those men who had had no previous experience in agricultural work, and provision tor such schools should have been made' in the Bill. Ho thought this an excellent opportunity for some of the large, landowners to offer blocks of good land near railways for the settlement by our returned soldiers. The Hon. Mr HERDMAN explained the mode of working the now department of which he was in charge, and which ho intended to make a real live instrument to help our wounded soldiers. Speaking of the control of the patriotic funds, he expressed an opinion in favour of unification in their administration, but said the Government had no intention to use compulsion to force patriotic societies to come in under the War Funds E ll or under Mr Sikorrctt’s scheme. It was the desire of his department to get into close touch with those organisations so as to prevent waste in the management of the funds in their hands, lloverting to the settlement of the men, he explained that in the ordinary land ballots they would have preference where they preferred to take up land in that way, but the settlements provided for in this Bill were of a special nature, and were for the exclusive benefit of returned soldiers. Speaking of the operations of the Returned Soldiers Information Department, he said that so far they had records of 1047 returned soldiers. Reports wore being obtained on 230 men, while no reports were yet to hand regarding 415. The number who said they did not want departmental assistance was 82. The number who stated that they would ro-enlist was 21, and those who required help were 55, those unfit for work 60. the cases under inquiry 36, those receiving the pension 35, those helped so far 10, situations offered 11, and other offers 10. So far circulars had been sent to 488 local bodies and 69 patriotic organisations. He hoped to have in the office three registers—those who had gone out, those who had returned, and those for whom employment had been found. Regarding the patriotic funds collected, his information was that the total aggregated £405,207. This might not be quite accurate. The Hon. Mr RUSSELL; “It does not include the sick and wounded fund.” Mr PARR: Auckland is going to raise a quarter of a million. Mr HERDMAN: ‘ Hooray.” The debate was continued on the above lines by Messrs Buddo, Field (Nelson), Anstey, Oakey, M'Cullum, Harris, M‘Combs, and R. W. Smith. Mr MASSEY, in his reply, said the land for the purposes of the Bill would not all bo purchased in one part of the dominion. It would be taken whereover the most suitable soil could be obtained. He was particularly favourable to fruit farms for this class of settling, but he wished to make it clear that the settlements would not be confined to any one part of the dominion. The Bill was read a second time on the voices. CENSUS AND STATISTICS! BILL. The PRIME MINISTER moved the second reading of the Census and Statistics Act Amendment Bill. Ho explained that the measure was supplementary to the National Registration Bill passed last night, and enabled the Government to collect a great deal of information useful in war time. It was possible that the Bill would survive the war; but, if so, it would prove a useful adjunct to the purposes of the Government. Messrs WITTY and ANSTEY urged reform m the method of collecting the agricultural statistics, which in the past had been misleading. Mr M'COMBS asked what the Government was going to do under this Bill towards taking a wealth census. He predicted nothing would be done. Mr MASSEY, in reply, said it was proposed to revert to the system of housc-to-.house visiting in connection with the collection of the agricultural statistics. The Bill was road a' second time. BILLS PASSED. The Destitute Persons Act Amendment Bill, the third reading of the State Advances Act Amendment Bill, the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Bill, the Oonsus and 'Sfcatistccß Act Amendment Bill, the Lights on Vehicles Bill, the Factories Act Amendment Bill were put through committee and read a third time and passed. £ The House adjourned at 11.50 p.m. till Monday at 7.30 p.m. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Hon. Sir FRANCIS BELL moved the second reading of the National Registration Bill. Ho said that if the Bill was passed into law they would have an accurate, estimate of their available resources. The motion was carried after a brief discussion. The Council considered' in committee the National Registration Bill, the Local Elections (proportional representation) Act Amendment Bill, and the Swamp Drainage Bill. The Bills were reported without amendment, read a third time, and passed. The Council rovso at 4.45 p.m. The House met at 2.30 p.m. In reply to Mr Pcolo, the MINISTER OP MINES said the question of subsidising oil wells was under consideration, and before a decision was come to the question of employing Austrian labour at such wells would also come under consideration. In reply to Mr Witty, the POST-MASTER-GENERAL said he could not delay imposing the surcharge on letters for a few days as the amount of taxation being lost was so groat that he could not make any discrimination. In reply to Mr Webb, the MINIS'* OF MINES said that in view of the numerous fatal accidents which had recently taken place, investigations were being made into the quality of the gelignite now in use in the mines. In reply to Mr Witty, the PRIME MINISTER said that as soon as tho Finance Bill was disposed of ho avould make a statement as to what Bills were to be gone on with. Flo hoped to bring the session to a close about the middle of next week. A number of Bills were advanced a stage. NO WAR TAX EXEMPTIONS. In reply to a request put forward by Mr Fletcher that friendly societies which were already fooling the burden of tho war, should bo freed from the now postal tax, the Postmaster-general (Sir Joseph Ward) said thoro was no section of the community lie would more readily favour in this wav but these now charges were war taxes,

and no section of the community could escape this tax. MEAT FOR DOMINION TROOPS.

The statement that tho Now Zealanders on active service in Gallipoli arc fed partly on American tinned moat, which they find salt and objectionable, was made in the House to-day by Mr Pearce, who asked tho Minister of Defence whether the men could not get New Zealand meat. The Hon. Mr Alien said that the Imperial authorities were supplying the New Zealand troops with meat from the Imperial ordnance stores. Ho had heard, indirectly, that the New Zealanders were getting American meat, while the British troops, “next door,” were receiving Now Zealand meat, much to the satisfaction of tho “Tommies.” He had already cabled to London about this matter, and hoped that, if Now Zealand meat could not bo supplied in tho ordinary way, it would at least bo available through tho men’s canteens. WATER IN BUTTER. A new measure, which has yet to be discussed in the House, is the Dairy Industry Act Amendment Bill, which provides that every person shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £SO, who sends to any grading store, for the purpose of being graded, butter containing more than 16 per cent, of water. The inspector has power to dispose of such butter in any way he sees fit. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGES. The Hon. Mr CARSON asked the Leader of the Council whether he would submit for the consideration of the House and Library Committees tho wisdom and propriety of extending to ex-members of the Legislature certain privileges of Parliament —namely, the use of Bellamy’s, of the library, and of scats behind the chair while Parliament was sitting. The Hon. Sir FRANCIS BELL said he thought the Government would bo pleased to have the opinion of the two committees on tho subject. BILLS PASSED. The following Bills were road a second time:—Lights on Vehicles, State Advances Act Amendment, Factories Act Amendment, Military Manoeuvres, and Census and Statistics Act Amendment. Tho Bills wore reported from committee with two or throe amendments, read a third time, and passed. DISCHARGED SOLDIERS’ SETTLEMENT BILL. The Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Bill was read a second time, and was referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. WAR FUNDS BILL. The War Funds Bill was considered in committee. Several amendments suggested by tho Statutes Revision Committee wore included in tho Bill, which was read a third time and passed. FINANCE BILL. The Hon. Sir FRANCIS BELL moved the second reading of the Finance Bill, passed by the House of Representatives at the previous sitting. The mover explained tho purport and scope of tho Bill. The Hon. Mr PAUL said ho thought the bulk of taxation should have come from those who had made large profits out of the war. Too large a proportion of taxation was levied on tho wage-earner. Tho Hon. Mr SAMUEL said that for the first time they had in this Bill the elements of a graduated tax applied to revenue derived from mortgage, and he questioned whether this was a wise step. He referred to one or two other matters which, in his opinion, required consideration. He did not refer to the policy feature of the Bill, as he recognised that money for war purposes must be raised. The Hon. Moss is WIGRAM and MOORE also spoke on the Bill, which was reported from committee without amendment, read a third time, and passed. The Council adjourned at 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. to-morrow. The House met at 7.3 C p m. MINERS’ PHTHISIS BILL. Mr ELL resumed the adjourned debate on the Miners’ Phthisis Bill. Ho urged that the Bill bo taken back and amended, so as to provide for the medical inspection of mines to prevent the spread of this dread disease. Surely tho country could afford enough, adequately to protect the health and lives of tho miners. It was absurd that a stricken man should get no assistance until he was past work, and then he only got £1 per week, and was denied all participation in tho old-age pension and all other pensions. He hoped tne Minister would make more generous provision in these deserving cases, and, if not, he hoped the House would hold up his Bill till he did. Mr RHODES congratulated the Minister on introducing the Bill, because it affirmed the principle that the minor afflicted with phthisis was deserving of some consideration, but beyond that he_ could not say much in favour of tho Bill, which made altogether inadequate provision to meet the cases of widows and orphans. Mr WEBB contended that the right thing to do was to prevent the conditions which gave rise to miners’ phthisis. The disease was a positive menace to tho health of tho whole community, and the remedy was to ventilate the mines and so improve conditions that tho dust danger would bo obviated. The financial relief afforded by tho Bill was wholly insufficient. The soldier of industry was just as worthy of consideration as the soldier in tho trenches, but the Bill as it stood, though an improvement on the old Act, was an insult to the miners of the dominion.

Mr POOLE said the mining members had put up a groat fight for the benefit of those who were sacrificing their lives for the avarice of dividend-hunters. They should all remember that £32,000,000 had been won by these men, and that fact would give some idea of their value to the country. Mr SCOTT declared that the mining regulations were now so strict that if a miner took proper care of himself ho could not contract miners’ phthisis. That was an established fact.

Dr THACKER explained the medical nature of the disease, and said the proposed reform did not start soon enough. Infected men should bo taken in hand before they became incurable. Mine-owners shoidd be compelled to contribute generously to the minors’ fund. Ho complained that members could not carry an amendment of a financial nature unless it bad the sanction of the Minister. The pensions should not be less than 30s per week for married men and 20s for single men. Mr COLVIN also favoured an increase

in the financial assistance given under the Bill.

Mr GLOVER made an appeal to the Minister on broad humanitarian lines for more generous treatment of stricken miners. Mr PAYNE urged that the mining companies should bo compelled to contribute to a State insurance fund for the benefit of men suffering from phthisis. The Hon. Mr FRASER said, in reply, that it looked as if many of the members who had spoken wanted to kill the Bill. The friends of the Bill wore those who hold their tongues. When introducing the measure he had stated that it was only a tentative measure, because ho had not all the requisite information. The feeling of the House was that this fund should bo selfsupporting from the industry itself, and members would find that the gold duty on quartz mining would be increased. Ho would not tax alluvial gold mining, because that would bo unfair, but measures would bo taken to put the fund on a sound basis when tho requisite information was available. Though ho yielded to no man in his desire to assist tho miners, he was not going to amend tho Bill in committee, and if tho Bill was dropped in consequence of tho opposition shown to it those opposing it must take tho responsibility. Tho Bill was then read a second time. RAILWAYS AUTHORISATION.

Tho Hon. Mr FRASER moved the second reading of tho Railways Authorisation Bill. He explained that, instead of following the practice of the past, and authorising a few miles each year, ho was taking power to extend the lines for their full length. The .lines affected weire: —•Paero.a-Pokeno (six miles). East Coast Main Trunk (51 miles). East Coast Main Trunk (93 miles), South Island Main Trunk (13 miles), LawrenceRoxburgh (15 miles). Messrs M‘Calhim, Parr, Forbes, Jennings, and Poland put in claims in connection with railways in their districts. Tho Bill was read a second time. GAMING ACT AMENDMENT.

The MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFAIRiS moved the second reading of tho Gaming Act Amendment Bill, which provides tor art unions, rallies, etc., in connection with patriotic funds. Tho Minister said tho administration of the Bill would largely be a matter of personal opinion. Personally, ho was not a believer in gamblin;;, as it was generally understood. He regretted to sec that, in connection with our patriotic funds, a gambling mania had set in. Raffles wore held for so-called mineral specimens, the proceeds of which were paid over in cash. So far as ho was concerned, no raffle on a mineral specimen would bo held unices the clearest proof was afforded him that tho specimen was actually in existence; but horses, houses, motor care, bugg:es, and articles presented to the patriotic funds, and which could not be sold, could bo raffled. He expected that, as a result of tho liberties given to the people under this Bill, large sums would be raised in aid of our patriotic funds. Mr WITTY said the Minister could do all he wanted to do without this Bill. Mr HINE said the Government showed a want of backbone in bringing in such a Bill as this. It was give, give, all the time, and the people were looking to the Government to give them a strong load; but, instead of that, they got a Bill that permitted gambling in its worst form. Mr HORNSBY condemned the Bill as a reproach to tho people of New was a travesty on tho name of patriotism. They could call him a “wowser, ’ or what they liked, but he regarded it as a serious reflection on the people of this dominion to say that such a measure was necessary. Mr POOLE said the best demonstration of patriotism was straightout giving. In this respect the Wairarapa district had astonished N.ew Zealand, and, instead of doing as the Wairarapa people did, they found the Government adopting these questionable methods which was interfering with tho moral :(il>re of the people. The men who had gone to-the front should have their requirements met either by taxation or by straightout giving. . Mr WILFORD said he did not like the Bill. He preferred the present system, under which raffles were held, though not legalised. He advocated State lotteries, and thought it was only hypocrisy that prevented us from having State sweeps, which he would like to see established. Ho did not see anything in the present Bill but confusion, and, if it expressed tho combined wisdom of the National Cabinet, ho did not think much of it.

Mr YEITCH said it was the duty of the House to put the Government in a sound position regarding raffles. The Government could not go on breaking the law. He considered that the public wanted raffles, and, that being so, the law should be amended so as ijo enable raffles to be conducted for patriotic purposes, under circumstances that would not place the Government in a fake position. - ... Mr COATES said he thought the Bill was on the right lines, as all the articles raffled had to be etraiditout gifts. Mr ELL said he thought it was a thousand pities that we had to excite the gambling instincts of the people to raise patriotic funds. Over half a million had already been raised towards war funds, the greater part of which had been raised by free gifts. There was no general demand for the Bill, and without it the people would give generously of what they had got. . Mr ISITT said the principle of the Bill was vicious, and he regretted that he would have to sit still and see a Bill that he detested go through, because he recognised that nrot.i'sb was useless. ‘ Messrs MALCOLM, WRIGHT, M‘COMBS, and ANSTEY opposed the Bill. Sir JAMES CARROLL supported the Bill, holding that it was illogical to decry gambling so long as gambling was sanctioned in our legislation. A clause should he put in the Bill that it bo repealed to soon as the war was over. The Tien. Mr RUSSELL, in reply, said that, if members opposed to the Bill wore consistent they should move in committee to repeal all the clauses of the Gaming Act dealing with raffles or art unions and the totalisator. There were some members, who, when any question of the gaming law came before the House, put on a robe of spotless whiteness, and tried to lift themselves into a higher plane of morality than anyone o l se, and that was what was happening that night. Ho then moved the second reading of the Bill, which was carried by 30 votes to 11. BILLS PASSED.

The House then went into committee on the Railways Authorisation Bill and the Gaming Bill, both of which were passed in a few minutes without amendment. The Railways Authorisation Bill was read a third time, and passed without debate. The third reading of the Gaining Act Amendment Bill was passed afte« Mr

Hornsby had entered his protest against the measure.

The Auctioneers’ Act Amendment Bill, permitting the sale of goods for patriotic purposes, was put through all stages -without amendment. Tho House rose at 1.30 a.m. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30. The Council met at 8 p.m. The Hon. Sir F. BELL moved the second reading of the Gaming Act Amendment Bill, under which tho Government would be able to regulate tho permits for art unions in connection with patriotic funds. Tho Hon. Mr OARSON opposed tho Bill, which he classed as a specimen of German morality. They know it was wrong, bull they would persist all the same. The Hon. Mr MACGIBBON also opposed tho measure. He did not believe in the adage that the end justified the means. Ho condemned the use of tho totalisator, and regarded gambling as a worse evil than, drinking. The Hon Mr MACGINNITY said he did not think the Bill was necessary, and that ho would vote against it. Tho Hon. Mr AITKEN spoke against the. Bill, and said he thought tho money required for patriotic funds could be obtained, without any such aid. The Hon Mr MOORE said that although he did not like gambling, he would supporli the Bill, as ho wanted to see all the monejr possible added to the patriotic funds from the pockets of tho general public. The Hon. Mr JONES contended that if the Government had done its duty and had enacted the necessary legislation taxing’ wealthy interests, all the money required would have been provided. The Hon. Sir WALTER BUCHANAN supported tho Bill because it represented an honest attempt to meet a great end. Tho Hon. Messrs Mills, Earnshaw, and Boohan supported the Bill, while the Hons. Sir W. Hall-Jones, Barr, and Fisher opposed it. The mover, in replying, pointed out that the art tmion principle was not to bo used for personal advantage, but only by those who desired in this way to help tho patriotic funds. The second reading was carried by 16 votes to 11

In committee on tho Gaming Amendment} Bill, the Hon. Mr BARR moved in effect to strike out clause 2, the principal clausa of the Bill. Tho motion was lost bv 14 votes to 10.

On the motion of the lion. Mr PAUL a new clause was added to the effect that the Act shall be deemed to be repealed immediately on the declaration of peace.

Tho lion. Sir FRANCIS BELL moved a new clause to extend the number of racing days allowed under the Gaming Act from 250 to 251. Ho explained that tho Wellington Racing Club was prevented from, holding its meeting by reason of the stand being occupied as a hospital by the Defence Department. There was an arrangement made that one further day should bo given in view of the meeting it had lost, and the amendment was to provide for it. A lengthy discussion took place on this proposed clause, and Sir F. BELL moved to report progress.

The Railways Authorisation Bill and the Auctioneers Act Amendment. Bill were put through committee without amendment, and road a third time, and passed. The Mortgages Extension Bill and the Law Practitioners Act Amendment Bill also passed the final stages. The Council rose at 0.40 a.m. The House met at 2.30 p.m. FINANCE BILL. Several amendments to tho Finance Bill wore introduced by Governor’s Message. Sir JOSEPH WARD explained that the amendments were of a minor character, and did not affect any principle in the Bill. Thu most, important was the addition of a new sub-clause to clause 77, relating to the collection of stamp duty on bank advances on collateral security. Tho sub-clause provided for the prepayment of tho duty on the advance arranged for in sums of £SOO or £IOOO, and if tho full amount was not taken advantage of by the client of the hank a rebate .would subsequently bo made : ■: ;> duty paid in excess. The provis ..... .y

Joseph Ward said, was necessary, ~-i under the machinery of the first proposal it would have been necessary to have a now stamping- of agreements every day. An advance fluctuated over each £IOO. In fact, it was a proposal to prevent a client from being overcharged. The amendments were agreed to. DAIRY INDUSTRY RILL. The MINISTER OF AGRICUi (the Hon. Mr Macdonald) moved tin - ’ . reading of the Dairy Industry Act Amendment Bill. He explained that the Bill was intended to prevent the exportation of butter with a greater percentage of water than 16 per cent. Mr YEITCH asked the Minister if “whey” butter would be branded as such, whether sold in Now Zealand or exported. Mr BUICK supported that suggestion. In replying to a question, the PRIME MINISTER said the Bill was bringing the law regarding moisture in butter into lino with the English law. Mr POLAND said it was a scandal that butter was being sold at so high a price iu Now Zeaalnd, and yet we had no law to prevent the admixture of water to an excessive degree. Mr MALCOLM d< dared that it was an

erroneous impression that “ whey ” butter was made out of whey. It was a true cream butter, and was very wholesome. He suggested that a name truly representative of its characteristics should bo coined ind given to it, and thus enable a useful industry to bo encouraged. Mr PAYNE condemned the farmer and the factories who wanted to put water in the butter to increase their proiits at the expense of the public. The Hon. Mr BUDDO said that all butter should be branded according to its character. If it was whey butter it should be branded as such. Dr THACKER urged that the High Commissioner should long ago have communicated to this country the method by which the Danish people extracted the water from their butter.

The MINISTER, in reply, said there was nothing in the Bill about whey butter. That matter had been dealt with earlier in the session, and he thought they were finished with it. Whey butter w r as a good butter, but the trouble w'as that it would not keep. Even after it had been graded and sent Home in a refrigerator there was no guarantee that it would arrive in England in good condition. It had originally been exported as “dairy” butter, but when it was found to b? of an inferior quality it was doomed advisable to change the name. He agreed with the suggestion that dairy produce should be accurately branded, but in the meantime this Bill was an attempt to prevent the export of butter with an undue proportion of water. The Bill was read a second time. BILLS. The following Bills passed their committee stage without amendment: —Dairy Industry Act Amendment, Prisoners’ Detention, Destitute Persons’ Act Amendment. The Mining Bill, Coal Mines Bill, Local Elections Bill, and the New Zealand Society of Accountants Bill were reported without amendment, read a third time, and passed. On the motion of the PRIME MINISTER the Juries Act Amendment Bill was struck off the Order Paper. FRIDAY. OCTOBER 1. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The following Bills were read a second time : —Dairying Industry, Prisoners Detention, Footwear Regulation, Miners Phthisis, Mining. These Bills were then considered in committee, reported to the Council, road a third time, and passed. In committee on the Gaming Act Amendment Bill a new clause in substitution for the one dealing with totalisator permits for the Wellington Racing Club, and which docs not propose to increase the total number of permits, was circulated, and consideration was postponed. The Council adjourned at 4 p.m. until 11 a.m. to-morrow. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Hon. Mr HERDMAN moved that the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Law Practitioners Bill be agreed to. He explained that the Council had struck out the amendment moved by Mr Hindmarsh, preventing future King’s Counsel from acting as solicitors, either alone or in partnership with a solicitor. Messrs HINDMARSH, WILFORD. FIELD (Otaki), and PARR protested again the elimination of the clause, and urged the Minister to appoint managers to insist upon the amendment carried by the House. The Hon. Mr HERDMAN. in reply, said there was a good deal of merit in iVlr PI in dm? rail’s amendment, but he did not wish to wreck the whole Bill on that account. The other part of the Bill was urgently needed to put the finances of the Law Society on a sound basis. He suggested that the question of K.C.’s be left over till next session, ho in the meantime undertaking to call a conference of representative lawyers, and if they recommended that the distinction of K.O. bo abolished or that their activities be restricted, ho would bring down legislation to give effect to that recommendation next year. The discussion was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2. The Council mot at 11 a.m. The Coal Mines Amendment Bill was reported without amendment, and passed its final stages. The Council adjourned at 0.25 p.ra. till 8 p.m. on Monday.