PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2, 3 September 1913, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wellington, September 2. The House met at 2.30. THE GOLD RESERVE. On the motion to consider the Com mittee’s report on the I. mjaercia Bank of Australia (Ltd.) Bill, Mr A leu said that provision was made h the Bill for the payment of notes a the office of issue or Wellington. 11' provisions of the Bill safeguarded th interests of the people of the conn try.

Mr Hindmarsh advocated the adop tion of the Canadian banking systen here. There each bank was compelle to keep on hand a certain amount o gold. All bullion held against banks' notes was handed over to tne State which gave a receipt for it. Tin State thereby got the use of the gold for nothing. Mr Millar advocated the taking over by the State of the whole noti Issue and the control of gold. Bank should bo compelled to buy gold fron the Stain instead of from private people.

The Bill was read a first time. LYTTELTON HARBOR BOARD. The Lyttelton Harbor Board Election Bill (Mr Davey) was read a first

tune. THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION. Sir J. Ward said tint dissatisfaction permeated the whole of the public service, owing to the operations of the Public Service Act. If the system wore good, why, ho asked, did in not apply to the railways, which in a few years thorn now would control ( rev fifty thousand people. One of t ,j things Mould happen in the near i..-.fore. Either the whole of the railways would have to be brought under the system, or else the wnote of the Departments ru present under the Commissioners nould have to bo removed from their control. Mr MacDonald contended that the

Government could not show where any savin; had been eaected under the Commission. II- objected :o an irresponsible Board reuressing the grievances of the people of the country. Mr Massey, rep'ving, said that the Opposition would never have a chance of removing dm Act from the Statute Book. The people were satisfied with it, and would never allow t'uo state of influence amt graft of a

■;o W years ago to again conic into tno pu’lie sen ice. It had been asked why the railways and police and teachers were not under the Act. Who, he asked, would suggest that teuclicis should sacrifice their independence P ii am. one advocated that before tha electors he would never see tiM inside of Parliament. As to the police, in no country hi the woi Id were t ie police under any head out the Cro 'n. In counsel ion with the railway.. In contended tii.it in Australia, cu 1 servants were under the "ontiul of Boards, but in no cases were the railways included. That branch of the. service was always under the control of Commissioners. Dealing with economics, the Commissioners' report seated that the list which it was proposed to make without disposing .o' the services of any officers who are competent to perform their duties, would total 47,000 per annum. The report was,one of the most valuable and satisfactory ever brought before tlie Parliament of the country. The House resumed at 7.30. INDUSTRIAL CONCILIATION. Mr Massey moved that the House disagree with the amendments made by the Legislative Council, in the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill. A committee was set up to contei with the Council. THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. The Bank of New Zealand Bill was introduced by Governor’s Message and vas read a first time. LAND AND INCOME TAX. The Land and Income Tax Bill was ■e-introduced by Governor’s Message. The amendments to the Bill were 'greed to. THE PENSIONS BILL. On tlie motion roi the third reading >f the Pensions Bid. Mr Brauney suggested the taxing of theatre and picture tickets to i rovida a portion of be cost ot universal pensions. Mr Islt-t pointed out that Mr Bradley’s suggestion was most vicious. It neant taxing a poor man’s 3d for a oicturo ticket for a similar amount as i rich man’s 10s ticket was taxed for. Mr Fisher replied to die criticism md the third reading was carried 1.2.50' ! \ ' 1 J