PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 20, 8 September 1911, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (Ter Press Association.) Wellington, September 7. The Legislative Council mot at 2.30. The Methodist Charitable and Educational Trusts Hill was read a third lime and passed. Tne Hon. Mr. Jones moved to make the Field Divoice Bill the order of the day for the second reading next sitting day. Tlio second reading had been previously negatived. Mr. o ones road certificates from medical men showing that Mrs. Field had been hopelessly insane for more than ton years. The Hon. Mr. lligg admitted the case was exceptional, and the Bill might bo reinstated for second reading. The Hon. Mr. Samuel considered it undesirable to pass the motion, and renew the second reading. The debate had already been disposed of. After I’tirther discussion the motion was agreed to by 7 to 8. The Attorney-General informed the Hon. Dir. Barr that he would lock into tne cost of preparing a return of the number of unions cf employers and workers and the number of members of each in each year since the passing of tire Industrial Conciliation Act. The debate upon the second reading of the Mental Defectives Bill was resumed by the Hon. Mr. Luke, who heralded the Bill with delight, as a further step in the humanitarian IcSishvtion of the past few years. He efended the proposal for licensing private institutions, which, like private hospitals, could servo a useful purpose. He considered the voluntary section, whereby people feeling an attack approaching, could enter air institution for treatment, excellent. The Hon. Mr. Sinclair pointed out that the recognition of private institutions was a re-enactment of the present law, and in any ease there were the best of reasons why such institutions should ho maintained. The debate was adjourned and the Council lose. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House of Representatives mot at 2.30 n.ra. ABOUT A GARDENER. The Chairman of the Public Petitions Committee moved to Jay on the table a petition from the gardener at Government House, praying for an enquiry into his dismissal. Mr. Fisher said the case needed investigation. The man was dismissed, according to the head gardener, for interviewing prominent Opposition members. If Government employees of any standing at all wished to converse with members, they had to do so in the dark. The Hon. R. McKenzie said the man was dismissed when the work he was engaged for was concluded, and for no other reason. There was nothing in Mr. Fisher’s argument that civil servants were afraid to be seen conversing with members. Mr. Massey traversed the statement. There was, ho said, a feeling on the part of people employed by the Government, that they were afraid to be seen conversing . with members of the Opposition. Ho knew this to ho absolutely correct. The Hon. T. McKenzie said there was not a Minister who would think of dismissing a public servant for stating a grievance. The report was laid on the table. OTHER BILLS.

The Papakaia Water Race District Validation lull was read a third time and passed. The Grey town Town Lands and Hospital Lands Exchange Bill, the Oamaru Municipal Exchange and Market Reserve Leasing Bill, the Sir Donald McLean Memorial Park Bill, the Wanganui Harbour Board Vesting Bill, were reported from committee without amendments. The Waikowhai Park Bill (Mr. Lang) was read a second time. GAMING AMENDMENT BILL.

The House went into committee on the Gaming Amendment Bill. Sir Joseph Ward suggested that Mr Jennings should not proceed with the Bill. There appeared to ho a great diversity of opinion concerning the Commission’s report, and the country clubs were no doubt dissatisfied. There seemed to him to ho a good deal to warrant the representations mado by the country clubs. Flo thought the Commission had done its work to the best of its ability. Ho suggested it should be set up again to reconsider the whole position. The country clubs would have an opportunity then of placing their views before it. He made the suggestion to obviate a long debate on tiie Bill. He would communicate with the president of the Commission within the week. The whole thing would he done this scs-> sion. Mr. Herries said the doubtful point was whether a member should take his chances with the Bill or accept the Premier’s assurances. If Sir Joseph, Ward’s suggestion were taken jp, vno Commission’s report may come down aftey the- session. He was well acquainted with the personnel of the commission, and he was sure they would not alter their report. Mr. Jennings said he was prepared to accept the Premier’s suggestion, and report progress on the -Jill, piovidecl no was assured they would bo able to sit again on the Bill if a second report of the Commission was not in agreement with a majority of the House. Mr. G. M. Thompson said the Premier was asking the Commission to do something no self-respecting men would do. After a leugthy discussion on familiar lines, Mr. Jennings said ho was prepared to accent the Premier’s suggestion, provided' the Commission reported within a week ? and he had leave to discuss the Bill next Thursday. He did not intend to drop the Bill without some assurance that ho would get satisfaction. Sir Joseph Ward said that what he had suggested would ho in compliance with tiie present Act. As a final the House divided on the motion to report progress, with leave to sit again. The motion was carried by 32 to 14. LAND AGENTS’ REGISTRATION BILL. The Committee then considered the Land Agents’ Registration Bill. Mr. Russell asked for a statement from Ministerial benches whether the Government would take up the measure. Mr. Bucldo stated that he had mentioned. on the second reading of the Bill, that the Government had intended bringing down a Land Agents’ Bill, which would go further than the proposed Bill. Mr Witty moved to report progress, with leave to sit again. The motion was carried. The Christchurch Domain Board Amendment Bill (Mr. Davey) was read a second time. The House rose at midnight. Pumps! Pumps! Pumps!—Gould’s Lift and Lift and Force, from 14s each ; also, rams, from 43s each. A largo assortment of pipe and fittings always in stock.—McMillan and Fredric. Broadway, Stratford.*