LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 210, 9 October 1914, Page 11

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

» ■ " YESTERDAY'S SITTING. VAEIOUS MEASURES CONSIDERED. i.i.G7«i o\\i OV?ii x-ariiaiiiolli&rj JCCBpOZtOr.] WELLINGTON, October 8. Several important measures were considered by the Legislative Council at its afternoon sitting to-day. FACTORIES ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The Hon. J. Barr (Canterbury) brought up a report from the Labour Bills Committee recommending that the Factories Act Amendment Bill should not be proceeded with. The Hon. J. T. Paul (Otago) gave notice to move that the Bill should be considered in committee next Wednesday. LICENSING AMENDMENT BILL. On the motion of the Hon. H. D. Bell it was decided to insist on the amendment of subrclause 11 of clause 6 of the Licensing Amendment Bill, and the Hons. G. Jones, C. A. C. Hardy, and H. D. Bell were deputed to confer with representatives of the other Chamber. FIRE BRIGADES AMENDMENT BILL. The amendments made by the House of Representatives in this measure were agreed to. NATIONAL PROVIDENT FUND AMENDMENT BILL. The Hon. H. D. Bell moved the second reading of the National Provident Fund Amendment Bill. He explained that it was to provide a superannuation scheme for the employees of local bodies, and there were provisions for' safeguarding the friendly societies. He suggested that after the second reading the Bill should be referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The Hon. W. Beehan (Auckland) said that he had received instructions from the friendly societies, especially those of Auckland, that they wanted nothing whatever to do with the National vident Fundi He would act r in committee accordingly. •-< The Hon. R. Moore (Canterbury) pointed out that it was quite optional for friendly societies to take advantage of the Bill. He was only sorry the measure did not -go further and take in employees in receipt of more than £250 a year. • ■ .

The Hon. J. Barr (Canterbury) said that certain doubts had arisen in connection with the scope of the Bill, and it was just as well that it should go to the Statutes Bevision Committee so that these could be cleared up; It was a mistake to suppose that the Provident Fund was inimical "to the friendly societies. It was principally fund, and the sick fund did not come into operation until a contributor was three months ill. It made no provision for doctor's attendance either to the individual assured, his wife; or children, which most of the friendly societies did. It was a question whether the friendly societies should not look into 'their own affairs to see whether they did not require some revision, for it was clear they were not so attractive to young people as they used to be. . The Hon. \j". Duthie (Wellington) raised a warning note against measures which sapped the independence of the individual. The Bill was. objectionable inasmuch as a contribution was! given to the individual that was not earned. The second reading was parried and the Bill remitted to the. Statutes Revision Committee. At ."».oo p.m. the Council adjourned until to-morrow,