HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 23, 20 September 1912, Page 5

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Public Trust Office. Mr. Herdman laid on the table a statement from the Public Trustee, rebutting the imputations made by the Civil Service Commission on the management of the Public Trust Oihce. Messrs. Forbes and Witty asked the Minister to see that the utmost publicity was given to the statement. Mr. Witty thought that the Trustee was discharging his duties thoroughly. bir J. G. Ward quoted from the report the recommendation of the Commission that an Inspector of Realisation should be appointed. He agreed with the suggestion, but could not concur with the Commission's finding, ivithout seeing the evidence upon which they based their contentions. Mr. Stratham stated that he had heard a Judge in Chambers remark that the more wills the Public Trust Office prepared for its clients, the better would it bo for the legal profession.

Mr. Herdman, replying, said that a new Bill would be introduced this session to clothe Public Trust Offices in Dunedin, Ghristcburch, and probably Auckland, with greater authority and power than they at present possess. With regard to an Inspector of Securities he had found that at present there was no proper system of inspection, and he suggested that two proper inspectors should bo appointed. The business of the Public Trust Office was growing to such an extent that the constitution of it would have to be altered. Ho thought some men with business training should be appointed to assist the Trustee, and he intended submitting the matter to Cabinet. Barmaids' Registration Act. Tho Barmaids' Registration Bill (Mr. Massey) was read for the first time. Public Service Bill. Tho House went into Committee on the Public Service Bill. Mr. Davey moved an amendment excluding the Post and Telegraph oilicors from the operation of tho Bill. Mr. Wilford moved a prior amendment, excluding officers of the Defence Forces from the operation of tne Bill. Mr. Herdman said that his impression was that he had told a deputation that he could not see his way to exclude tho Post and Telegraph Department from the operation of the Bill.

Mr. Wilford assured the Minister that the officers of that Department wore unanimous in their desire to be excluded. The Minister': That is not so. Mr. Wilford said that the Minister would shortly receive a letter bearing out his (Mr. Wilford's) statement. The Minister declared, with emphasis, that there had been no attempt, on his part, to bring pressure to bear on the Post_ and Telegraph Department. He did not propose to exclude that Department from tho Bill. If it was excluded the Bill would be dropped. The Government was promoting die Bill in the interests of the public and not in the intorests of a few members of cortain departments. Ho had made concessi6ns in the Bill to members of that Department, and beyond that he did not propose to go. The House and resumed at 7.30 p.m. The evening debate in Committee on the Public Service Bill was resumed.

At clause 4, exempting the police and defence forces, and certain other officers, several members entered protests against the inclusion of the Post and Telegraph Department in the oporation of the Bill.

I Mr. Fisher said that the Commissioners would probably save tho country something like £300,000. Mr. Laurenson said that the employment of three autocrats at Ministerial salaries to administer 450 people, was iniquitous. Mr. Massey said that the Government were going to take the responsibility for passing the Bill, which he, believed went in the right direction. Ho had received a telegram, stating that the Bill was generally acceptable to officers of the Post and Telegraph Department. It was almost demanded by the great bulk of the public servants. Whatever" happened, they were going to put the Bill through. Mr. Rhodes said that tho Post and Telegraph classification was the one on which the Bill was based. He was convinced that the Department would benefit by the measure. Mr. Davoy's amendment was negatived by 36 to 2G. The Minister moved an amendment, providing that the Act shall not apply to any officer, or class of officers, to whom or to which, on the recommendation of the Commissioner, for special reasons, tho Governor declares that the Act shall not apply. Mr. McKenzie moved as an amendment that the House should decide which class of officer should come under the Act.

Wellington, September 20. After midnight tho Public Service Pi ll was further considered in Committee.

ivlr. Glove* (Auckl ind Central) moved an amendment to roduco the term (Hi office of the Commissioners from 7 to 3 years. This was lost by 32 votes to 21.

Mr. Ell (Cbrir.tohiirch South) movd to reduce the Chief Commissioner's salary from £I3OO to £9OO. Lost on the voices.

An amendment by the Minister to provide for separate representation of the Postal and Telegraph Department on the Appeal Board was agreed to, and progress was reported. The Hous3 rose at 1.20 a.m.