THE SESSION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 145, 25 July 1914, Page 12

THE SESSION.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. BOYS FOfc THE rAHMS. Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 24. AFTEENOON SITTING. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. IMPEEST SUPPLY, Imprest Supply Bill No. 2 was put through its third reading. In the course of the discussion, the Hon. W. Beehan raised the question of in some way recognising the services of old members. He was supported by the Hons. F. H. D. Bell, O. Samuel, C. Louisson, and W. Earnshaw. The Hon. C. A. C. Hardy continued the debate upon the Master, and Apprentice Bill. He heartily supported the bringing out of boys from the Old Country for farm labour. The Hon. C. Louisson supported the Bill, and thought it would be well to also try the experiment of importing girls. The Hon. O. Samuel thoroughly agreed with the Bill, but thought that the indentures should contain, reference to compulsory military training, so that a young man would know what was expected of him. The Hon. W. Earnshaw held, that they could do with 10,000 boys from the Old Country. Immigration should be looked at from a national standpoint. There should be some regulation of conditions of employment of these boys.. He was sorry to see opposition from the Labour Party to the policy of bringing out boys to New Zealand.

The Hon. W. Beehan said that it was necessary for the Minister to see that the boys were properly protected.

The Hon. T. McGibbon said it was right the boys should be under proper supervision, but it was entirely wrong to think that the boys would not be properly fed in the country. He put in a strong plea for further domestic help. - The Hon. W. Morgan said that inspec : tors would soon find out if any boys mere being overworked, and in the country districts he was sure there would be plenty of good food provided. He favoured the suggestion that girls should be brought out from Home for domestic service.

The Hon. J. Fisher supported the Bill, and said he thought that opportunities should be given to the- boys brought out to become farmers themselves. He knew of no cases where country children were overworked. The' Hon. F., H. D. Bell, in the course of his reply, said that there had been 829 applications for boys, and they were unable to satisfy 237 applications. There was no danger of boys being overworked, and so far as the boys already out here were concerned, he could say that both boys and employers were satisfied. The importation of girls, however, had to be approached with great caution. Young girls brought ,away from their parents did not do well. It was an extremely difficult problem, and he did not feel inclined to take the responsibility of bringing out these young girls. v It was essential that the girls should have a home. The lady superintendent of the Immigration Department had told him only that morning that the importation of these young girls must stop. The second reading was carried on the voices, and the Bill was referred to the Labour Bills Committee. FIRE BRIGADES. The Fire Brigades Bill was read a first t,ime and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The Council rose at 4.45 p.m. —au i i. .