LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 32, 22 September 1911, Page 5

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

(Per Press Association.'/ Wellington, September 21. The Council met at 2.30. The Imprest Supply Bill was put through all its stages. The Attorney-General informed the Hon. Mr. Barr that a return of the number of members of the union of employers and the union of workers would be prepared and laid on the table. On the motion to commit the Mental Defectives Bill, the Hon. Mr. Paul suggested its reference to a select committee, as there were matters which could more effectively bo threshed out there than on the ffcor of the Council. The Bill was on the right lines, but did not touch the bedrock of the difficulty. Ho contended we ought to stop the breeding of mental defectives. The effect of the pit pagation of these was such as demanded the fullest discussion, and the people of the country looked to Parliament for the betterment and purity cf the race. The Hon. Mr Jonkinson also advocated sending the Bill to a select committee. The Hon. Mr Anstay thought that before drastic steps were taken to deal with the mental defects, we ought to arm ourselves with a good deal mere of scientific knowledge than we possessed. The Hon. Mr Jones moved the adjournment of the debate. At the suggestion of the AttorneyGeneral, the debate was adjourned until 8 p.rn. He would, be said, have the opportunity of considering the suggestion to refir the measure to a select committee.

The Attorney-General moved a reso'utiou of appreciation of the public services of the late Mr Flatman and sympathy with his relatives. Tno Council then rose until 8 p.m. out of respect to the memory of deceased. The Council resumed at 8 p.m. The Attorney-General stated lie had considered the question raised by the Hons. Paul and Jenkinson as to referring the Bill to a select committee, and had come to the conclusion that, seeing the lateness of the session, it would he better to proceed in the ordinary course. The questions raised by the Hon,. Pan! wore outside the. range of tho Bill, and presented difficulties. To cover these matters would require not a month Imt three months for tho committee’s consideration. It would, ho thought, be- better to deal with the Bill as it stood that evening, and further action could be considered next session. Hhe Bill, if not as good as lie hoped for, was at least, an immense advance in the existing law. The Council then went into committee on the Bill. Progress was reported at clause 24, wtihout any amendment having been made. ,Tho Council rose at 10 p.m.