HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13225, 30 September 1911, Page 1

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House mot at 2.30, and went into Committee on the Estimates, c.ass vii, Justice Department, £370,----830, being taken. Mr. 11. 11. Rhodes asked that further consideration be given to the >.c----coinmendation from members for tin? appointments of justices of the peaoo. Mr. F. M. B. Fisher said the Attor-ney-General had stated in Ashbiirton that the members were always eonsuited when appointments were being made. This, he knew, was not so. Air. W. C. Buchanan said ho hud never been consulted in this way, and lie could not say he favoured x> o course. , The Hon. J. A. Millar said that a number of persons proposed were not appointed because they did not express their willingness to accept the appointment. Some members recommended over twenty people for appointment in onn electorate. At present there were over 2,000 J.'sP. on the roll. In the meantime the Government would adhero to the present system, which, if successful, would be extended to other centres. In reply to Mr. Massey -Mi Millar stated that he understood the Webster claims had been settled. The House adjourned at 5.30 and met ag .in at 7.30. In connection with the vote f-ir Magistrates' and Wardens' Courts Mr F;. H. Clark drew the attention of the Minister to the manner in whiei'i magistrates sometimes treated old men coming before them. He instaani the case of a man of 82 years of age who was applying for a pension. Mr. G. .Laurenson said it would !>e a good thing to drop the magistrates a circular asking them to treat old age pensioners with all due consideration . At tho police vote several mem 1) -is urgeil tliat tlie police should recede an ii:i'!\-",.se in pay, which at present was sii'-'i! whi'e the duties "ere arduous aud responsible. Mi\ A. L. Herdman asked for an appeal tribunal for the police. Mr. J. F." Arnold paid a high eor.iplinient to tho Undcr-Secretary for Justice for his administration of tho Police Department, but it was desirable to have a man of practical know-

lego to advise the Under-Secretary in all jnactical matters.

The Hon. J. A. Millar said it would only be a matter of time when a man would have to be appointed from Home. A man of wide exporionco would he essential, and one who would bo also an expert adviser. There was no immediate intention of importing a man from abroad.

'Hie Justice Department vote was passed unaltered. Class VIII, Mines Department, £27,136, was taken next. Mr IT. J. IT. Okey spoke of tho necessity for greater activity in the geological survey branch.

The Minister said it was a question of finance.