PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 49, 12 October 1911, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. (Per Press Association ) Wellington, October 11. Tho House met at 2.30. Replying to questions, Ministers stated that the further amending of regulations under the Civil Service O.ncors Guarantee Act is now under consideration, and the Minister in charge sees no reason why the scale of contribution towards defalcations should stop at any salary. Tne Government was very desirous of encouraging horse-breeding on proper fines. It . is, however, probable time any monetary assistance that may be given could with greater advantage to settlers generally be devoted to establishing it system of subsidies for approved sbuncl stallions on lines similar to those upon which tho King’s premiums are granted at Home. Tho whole matter was now being considered by the Government. In regard to tho question as to whether the Government will amend tne Public Service Act so as to increase the annuity of widows, under tho Teachers’ Superannuation scheme from £lB to £26 per annum, the matter will receive consideration when the actuarial investigation now being made is completed. Much depends upon tiio general position of the fund as to whether any concessions can bo

made. The Minister’s attention had been drawn to articles in the Dunedin ■‘Star” of September 16, on the subject of gambling in chocolates by children, and considers it desirable that children should, if possible, bo prevented from indulging in a practice of the kind referred to.

In reference to the statement by Mr. Keefer, president of the Tairawiiiii Land Board, that he resigned because of interference and dictation from the head of the Department in the administration of ids official duties which ho resented, the Minister (Sir Janies Carrol!) said there had been no interference or dictation by the Department of Native Affairs in respect of the performance of any judicial duties by the president of the Board. The decision in tnc case of Sherwood v. New Zealand Shipping Company, in which the Court held that the widow of the man killed while in the employ of the company, was not a dependent under the Act, through being separated from her husband, although she had a claim for maintenance against him, had been noted, the Minister was consulting the Crown Law Officers on tlie subject, with a view, if possible, to giving any, persons likely to ba similarly affected the protection of the Act. The afternoon was occupied in discussing the" answers given by Ministers to questions.

The Hon. J. A. Millar, speaking of workers’ homes, said that wherever land was obtainable at a reasonable price,' the Department was acquiring it for workmen’s homes, hut the difficulty was to get the land at a reasonable price.

EVENING SESSION. The House resumed at 7.30

On the motion of the Premier, it was resolved that on and after Monday next the House will meet cn Mondays for Government business.

Sir Joseph Ward promised fo in re a statement of the business prepostd on Friday. The Public Works Statement will bo delivered on Monday afternoon.

Sir Joseph Ward saw no reason why the session should not close on Friday week if members would co-oper-ate.

The Premier moved that the House aporovo of the proposal of the Pacific Guide Board to lay a cable between Now Zealand and Australia direct. Ho explained that the scheme was for ;> cable between Auckland and Sydney, the headquarters being removed m each case to the city telegraph stations, with the result that retransmissions at each end would ho avoided. The undertaking was estimated to cost £175,000, and a direct cable must, he said, ho provided if the present business was to he increased or even maintained. The saving by direct service would ho .€BO,OOO per year, in addition to expediting the service. Sir Joseph Ward advocated the provision of a nationalised cable across the Atlantic between England and Canada. He had submitted this proposal at the last Imperial Conference. Ho was persuaded that it would ho incomparably better to have an independent cable.

The motion was carried on tho oices.

Referring to the Public Classification Scheme, Sir Joseph Ward said that it was merely laid on tho table for tho information of members and others. It had no force of law. It had to ho submitted to the Governor u.d, if approved by him, published in the Gazette. Any servant not satis.ied might appeal to the Board for reconsideration of his classification, and all appeals must he dealt with before the scheme would be brought into operation by resolution of tho House. it was impossible for the scheme to come into operation this

;cnr. The Auckland University College Amendment Bill, University of Otago Council and Otago Hospitals and Jharitahle Aid Board Bills were reverted with .amendments.

The Tramways Amendment Bill was next taken in committee. A new clause was inserted on tho motion of the Minister, that when a local authority Inis delegated the authority conferred on it by an authorising rder, tho Minister may, on the issue c.l a renewal of a license, charge a fee not exceeding £2 in respect of every carriage licensed, the gee so '■barged to be paid by the Minister of finance to the local authority to whom ihe order was issued. _ A provision was also made in a further new clause far registration of storage of lost articles and the imposition of a reasonable charge to owners in respect of such registration and storage. After midnight tho Tramways Bill was reported. The Methodist Church Bill was put through Committee without amendment. The Mouse rose at 12.45 a.m.