THE HOUSE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 520, 9 October 1915, Page 12

THE HOUSE.

A BUSY DAY.

, Tlie Speaker (Hon. F. W. Lang) took the chair at 11 a.m. Amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Counties Amendment Bill were agreed to Amendments in the Municipal Corporations Amendment Bill were also agreed to. A new clause, Mr Russell stated, brought legislation An connection with municipal corporations into line with the Local Bodied Act. A subsection amended the Act of 1913 so as to give powers in relation to the erection of workers' dwellings. SECOND READINGS. Hon. G. W. Russell moved the Second Reading of the Public Health Amendment Bill (No. 2). He explained that it was framed at the request of Dr Magill, of and gave power to the Government to issue regulations under the Public Health Act dealing with the habitable nature of buildings and rooms. It had been found that there were cases where servants were compelled to live in dug-outs or cellars, and it was to cope with this evil the measure was introduced. The motion was agreed to. Hon. G. W. Russell moved the Second Reading of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Amendment Bill. It dealt, he said, with the vexed question of travelling allowances. It was proposed to postpone the operation of the legislation of 1913 until April 1 next. The motion was agreed to. A NEW BILL. Hon. W. H. Herries moved the First Reading of the Railways Improvement Authorisation Act Amendment Bill,which was introduced by Governor's Message. The Minister explained that the Act. was declared to be a Public Works one, and the Bill also had relation to an agreement as to reclamation of laud at Campbell's Point, between the department and the Aucklaud Harbour. Board and the City of Auckland. The llouso met at 7.30. HOSPITAL AMENDMENT. During the Committee stage of the

Hospital and Charitable Aid Act Amendment Bill, Mr Young (Waikato) said the proposed shilling a mile scale of travelling expenses would operate unfairly. A member living 80 miles from the place of meeting, and travelling by train, would have money in his pocket, while another man -living nearer the centre, but required to travel by saddle and coach, would be oivt of pocket. The Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. G. W. Russell) said that the system could not provide for extreme cases. The proposed spale had been recommended by the Audit Department. After debate, the Minister promised to consider the case of the back-blocks' members. The Bill was put through its other stages, and passed. FACTORIES AMENDMENT. The Factories Amendment Bill (No. 2), providing that condensed milk factories should be allowed to work on Saturday afternoons and holidays ing the busy season, was read a second time on the motion of the Prime Minister. In Committee the Bill met with very solid objection on the part of several Liberal and Labour members. The Prime Minister stated that the Bill had been introduced on the suggestion of the Labour Department. After the matter had been fully gone into, the opponents of the Bill urged that a measure which enabled a manufacturer to employ women and boys for 11 hours a day on six days a week should go before the Labour Bills Committee for consideration.

After the debate had proceeded for an hour and a-half progress was reported on the motion of the" Prime Minister.

PUBLIC HEALTH AMENDMENT. The Public Health Amendment Bill (No. 2), providing that sleeping quarters provided by an employer for any employee should •be wholly above the street level, was put through its stages and passed.

At 9.30 p.m. the House adjourned until 10.30 p.m., on the motion of the Prime Minister, who stated that he wished to hold a Cabinet meeting.

WELLINGTON LEASEHOLDS! The Municipal Corporations Amendment Bill was returned to the House by Governor's Message, providing that a clause relating to arbitration proceedings should not come into operation until January, 1917. The Minister of Internal Affairs said that the amendment 4 was made in response to representations made by the holders of Wellington Corporation leaseholds.

Mr Hindmarsh (Wellington) said that he objected to the amendment. The Wellington Corporation had found by experience that it was very difficult to secure really honest arbitrators. It had lost thousands of pounds through judgments being-given wholly'in the interests of its tenants, who had formed an association, and comprised some of the wealthiest men in Wellington. city was entitled to an independent arbitrator. .... - -A- *

After several members had protested against .the decision of the House being overridden by the Cabinet, at the suggestion of interested person% the debate was adjourned, on the motion : of the Prime Minister, in order that the Minister of Internal Affairs might consider the position. THE GOLD DUTY. - The Mining Amendment Bill was returned to the House by Governor's Message, with an amendment postponing until 1916 the collection of the proposed additional gold duty of 3d per ounce.

The Minister of Finance (Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) said that the payment of the extra charge was a serious matter for , some companies, and it seemed only fair that time should be allowed. The extra 3d was to have been used for the relief of miners suffering from pneumoconiosis, and in the meantime the payments would be made from the Consolidated Fund. The amendment was approved. , DEFENCE AMENDMENT.. The Defence Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor's Message. Mr T. M. Wilford asked if the Bill made provision for using t"he proffered services of the yachtsmen and motor boat owners for defence purposes. ;, The Defence Minister said the contained no such provision. Mr" Wilford added an appeal on behalf of the women 's branch of the tional Reserve. « The Defence Minister said he was willing to use the services of the women whenever occasion arose. The yachtsmen should join the National Reserve. They would not be given a place in the Defence Forces in the absence of the Naval Adviser. AMENDMENTS ACCEPTED. The amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Hospital and Charitable Aid Institutions Amendment, Bill and the Education Amendment Bill were agreed to. . The House adjourned at 12.20 until 2.30 p.m. on Monday.