PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 39, 9 October 1912, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1912. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (Per Press Association.) The Coundl met at 2.30 p.m. Wellington, October 8. The Public Service Bill. Mr Callan resumed the debate on the second reading of the Public Service Bill, and stated that he intended to support the measure because of the report of the Public Service Commission that the service required some radical change. Mr Kelly also indicated that he would support the Bill, as it had received a good majority in the House, though some amendments were essential, Mr Luke suggested that the plan in use in America, where the heads of departments came together for an annual conference, might well be adopted here. Such a consultation would be to the end of reducing expenses and increasing efficiency. • < j ;,: • ■Mr Bell, in his reply, indicated that he would welcome technical amendments designed to improve the Bill, but would not endure any alteration in the principle he was aiming at. The second reading was carried on the voices. . Justices of the Peace. The Justices of the Peace Amendment Bill was read a second time, and the Council rose. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tije House met at 2.30. The Public Works Statement. •Mr Fraser intimated that the Public Works Statement would probably be brought down next week. Tho Beginning cf the End. Mr Massey gave notice that he would ask the House to sit on Monday evenings. Next Monday evening would bo devoted to local Bills. Pure Water for Flax Mills. Mr Robertson introduced the Pure Water Supply to Flaxmills Bill, explaining that its object was to secure a pure water supply for drinking purposes at all flaxmills, it having been proved that rivet water was not lit for human consumption, owing to the filth widen found its way into it. Mr Robertson complained of the delay in dealing with the report of the Chief Inspector of the Labour Department iq connection with the conditions obtaining in flaxmills in Manawatu. He .said that Mr Massey bad promised Labour a square deal, but Labour had not received it. Typhoid fever had broken out there, and serious harm might be done if this matter were not attended to. Mr Massey, in response to a wish expressed by Mr Laurcnson, said that he would lay the report on the table. Mr Laurenson quoted extracts from the report to show that some filthy conditions prevailed in connection with eating and living at the mills. He j hoped that the Government would give immediate attention to the matter.

Mr Veitch said that the matter brought forward by Mr Eobertson was only one phase of Labour’s grievances. No Government coidd afford to leave these matters over indefinitely. II the Government was not prepared to do more than they had done this session, he, for one, would not support them.

Mr Massey said that he had first seen the report on August 2G, and had seen the Bill prepared to meet the matter, but it had to be destroyed as it was useless. A Bill was now in the hands of the Crown Law Office, and was just about ready for circulation. It would be referred to the Labour Bills Committee within a day or two. Mr Massey said that he did not intend to alter the constitution of the Arbitration Court at present. He regretted the conditions obtaining in Manawatu, and said that there was provision in the Public Health Act

for pure water. Mr Ell contended that the Government’s attitude in the matter did not show much sympathy with or concern for the welfare of the flax hands. After further discussion the Bill was read a first time.

The Revenue. Mr Allen laid before the House a statement regarding the revenue for the six months ending September 30, compared with the corresponding period last year. For 1912 the total was £4,923,473, and 1911 £4,747,336, an increase of £176,137. Legislative Council Bill. Mr Massey moved the second reading of the Legislative Council Bill, which provides for appointments to the Up per House for three years. He brief j ly evplaincd that it was desired to make provision for appointments in case the necessity arose. Mr Will'oi'd was of opinion that the Upper House was an expensive superfluity, and the question was whether it was better to emasculate or poleaxe the Council. If the Council were abolished and a Bill passed by the House was revised by the Crown Law Office and returned to the House for final passage, thousands of pounds would -be saved annually.

Mr Sidoy indicated that he proposed to move that appointments should be only for the life of the present Parliament.

The House adjourned at 5.30. In the evening the discussion on the Legislative Council Bill was resumed by Mr Forbes, who said that he had no objection to the measure if it was amended to limit the term of appointment to the present Parliament. He believed in making the Council merely a revising chamber. The money saved could be well spent on the back-blocks.

. Sir Joseph Ward supported the Bill because a majority of the House bad expressed itself in favour of an elective Council, but in committee he would support a proposal to reduce the term of appointment to two years, so as to enable both Houses to be made elective at the next general election.

Mr Buddo considered that the Bill was useless until the whole question bad been decided in relation to both Houses.

Mr Ell condemned the Government proposals, and chided the followers of Mr Massey for sitting silent while a measure involving an expenditure of £20,900 or £30,000 a year was being dealt with .

Mr Massey, in replying, complained of the gross waste of time that had taken place during the afternoon and evening. Many of the speeches were not worth the time occupied, because they were merely a repetition of what had already been said this session. He stated that he would recommend the Governor to make appointments to the Council for three,years, if such a course was necessary. The second reading was carried oil the voices. In Committee. The House went into Committee bn several Bills. . The Auckland University Hollege Amendment i Bill was reported without amendment. The Wanganui River Trust Amendment Bill and Hauraki Plains Amendment Bill passed in Committee without material amendment. ~ The West Coast Leases. In Committee on the. Public Trust Office' Amendment Bill, 'reply td Mr Ngata, Mr Herdman 'said that it! was not intended to do anything in reference to the West Coast native leases this year on the* line's recommended by the Comihission, the great bulk of the leases falling in next year. A Bill dealing with the whole matter will bo introduced then. He could not indicate the Government’s intention. The Bill was reported with minor amendments. Valuation of Land. After midnight the Value of Land Amendment Bill was taken in com-

mittce. An amendment was introduced at the instance of the Prime Minister, exempting roads and bridges, irrigation works, drainage works or river protection works as improvements. This was agreed to. Replying to Mr R. W. Smith, Mr Massey said that he could not possibly accept a clause exempting milling husk. At the instance of Mr Witty, the Prime Minister accepted an amendment exempting ornamental or utility trees and fruit trees from taxation. Tiie Rill was reported with amendments. First Reatiinss. The Coal Mines Amendment Rill, Military Pensions Rill, and Dunedin Garrison Hall Trustees Empoweiing Rill were introduced by Governor’s message and read a .first time. Military Pensions. Tn reply to Mr Russell, Mr Massey said., in connection with the Military Pensions Rill, that the pension would be available to all who come along with the Maori War medal. Goal Mines Bill. The Coal Mines Rill was then read a second time pro forma. The House adjourned at 12.50 p.m.