PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 118, 26 August 1910, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THE CRIMES BILL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. In the Legislative Council this afternoon, Hon. Jones resumed the debate on the Crimes Bill. He said he regarded it as a glorious effort in the cause of humanity. It was as nearly Christian as anything human could be, and whatever its fate, would stand as a tribute to its framer. But it should really be accompanied by a measure to deal with the cause of the trouble at which it was aimed. It was folly to legislate about the result and leave the cause untouched. Drunkenness was the cause of the bulk of crime, directly or indirectly, and some heroic action was necessary if any reasonable attempt to cope with the drink evil were to 'be made. It was useless trying to control the traffic if drink were still to ibe permitted. The issue was so grave that any course that would be at all legitimate, would be fully justified. He went on to demonstrate the efficiency of prohibition. The Hon. Mr. Wigram said the Attor-ney-General's proposed classification of prisoners would be an enormous step forward. He heartily approved of the humanitarian proposals in connection with prison farms and tree-planting camps. Some of the provisions were of a most drastic character, particularly that giving power to judges and magistrates to propose terms of reformative treatment over and above the penalty allowed by the law. The proposals laid down for the constitution of a Prison* Board, depended largely upon the reports of gaolers, and practically gave them the power of loosing and binding. He questioned whether it was right to put a man's liberty so completely in their hands. He thought, on the whole, the Bill was too drastic, and that it would be wiser to make a start on the Elmira system. He did not like taking a judge from the Supreme Court Bench and placing him at the head of the Prisons Board.

The Hon. Mr. Baldey approved the Bill. It was drastic, tout judges and magistrates could be relied upon to make proper use of their powers. The debate was adjourned on the motion of the Attorney-General, and the Council rose. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. THE DENTISTS ACT. The "A to 3j" Petitions Committee reported as follows:—On the petition of Selwyn East, praying that he be allowed to be registered under the Dentists Act and - that the (Dentists Act be amended so as to permit all bona fide apprentices and dentists at the time of the Act coming into operation, being admitted, Sir Joseph Ward suggested that the Minister m charge of the Department should draw up a clause so that the petitioner and others similarly situated could be specified in a schedule to the Bill, and thus dealt with once for all. The report was adopted. 1 LOCAL BILLS. | The following local Bills passed their I second readings:—Templeton Domain Al- [ teration of Boundaries (Mr. Witty), the Wanganui Htabor Board Vestine Bill (Mr. Hogan). The following Bills passed their final stages:—Christchurch Tramway District | Act, 1906, Amendment Bill (Mr. Davey), the 'Nelson City Drainage Loan and Eimi powering Bill (Mr. Graham), and the Gisborne Harbor Act, 1005, Amendment (Mr. Carroll). The House rose at 5.30 p.m. PUBLIC HEALTH BILL.

In the House in the evening, Mr. , Sidey's Public Health Amendments Act was taken in committee. Mr. Sidey moved a number of amendments, the ! chief of which were provisions to allow jthe owner of condemned property to bo I heard, and granting power to a local authority to postpone demolition for six months in order to allow the owner to execute repairs. Mr. Massey raised a point of order. The Bill was practically a new one. Considerable discussion arose out of the point of order. The Hon. Mr. Buddo suggested that Mr. Sidev should agree to report progress. The Bill ougiht not only to provide for the demolition of insanitary buildings, but also of such as were undesirable and dangerous. •Mr. Sidey agreed to this suggestion, provided the Minister would introducea Bill in the direction proposed. Several memibera objected to progress being reported, and a long and desultoiy discussion took place, and it was decided to proceed with the Bill. Mr. Allen moved an amendment leaving power of directing repairs, alterations or additions in the hands of tB» local authority, instead of the dktriet health officer, as proposed. After discussion, Mr. Anderson.mowed to report progress. On division the motion was lost. Subsequently, on the motion of Sir J. G. Ward, progress was reported, aid' the House rose at '10.55.