PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 108, 27 October 1911, Page 8

PARLIAMENT

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2G. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. j By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Council met at 2.30. All the Bills passed by the House last evening were put through their initial stages. When the adjourned debate on the second reading of the Workers Compensation Bill was called on, the AttorneyGeneral said that a communication had reached him from employers in all parts of Xew Zealand. Objections had also reached him from a labor organisation. Til the first instance the protests were against any extension of the existing law, and on the other side, that section 02 of the Act should remain as it was at present. There were other sections of the Bill which were also in dispute, and he could not resist the suggestion that the Bill should be sent to the Bill Committee. It was possible that the Bill might not be reported, but that could not be helped. He proposed to refer the Bill to the Labor Bills Committee, with power to take evidence. Several members endorsed this proposal. Hon. Burr objected and said he would sooner see clause 13 struck out than run the chance of losing the Bill.

After further discussion, the AttorneyGeneral stated that in his opinion the employees had entirely misconceived the purpose of the clause. Still, in view of the fact that so much misapprehension had arisen, he thought it was only proper that the Bill should be referred to a committee.

The Bill was accordingly read a second time on the voices, and referred to the Labor Bills Committee with instructions to report within 48 hours. The rest of the afternoon sitting was taken up with a discussion on the Wellington City Empowering Bill, which was still not concluded at the dinner adjournment.

A BATCH OF BILLS. j The Council resumed at 7.30. ! The Wellington City Empowering Amendment Bill passed all its stages. The Public Reserves and Domains Amendment, the Representation Commis- ] sion reports Validation. Post and Tele- ] graph Amendment, Public Service Classification and .Superannuation Amendment, I Reserves and Other Lands Disposal, and Public Bodies Empowering, Railways Authorisation, Mining Amendment and Government Railways Amendment Bills were read a second time. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30. An amendment to the Legislature Act was introduced by Governor's message. THE LICENSING ACT. The Prime Minister explained that there appeared to be some doubt in connection with the Licensing Act with regard to polls. The amendments provide for a national prohibition issue and a no-license issue; also different returning officers and poll clerks in each ease. Another amendment provided that all second ballots will be taken on the same day. The amendment was agreed to on the motion of Sir Joseph Ward . APPRECIATION OF VOLUNTEERS. The House expressed its very high appreciation of the New Zealand volunteer force extending over a period of 50 years. INDUSTRIAL CONCILIATION.

Hon. J. A. Millar moved the committal of the Industrial Conciliation asd Arbitration Amendment Bill, which provides that the cancellation of a union for the purpose of changing its name shall m«t affect any award. It creates procedure for making an industrial agreement into an award, and for making a Dominioii award. It also provides for an appeal from a magistrate to the Court of Arbitration. Awards must be in conformity with the statutory provisions. The court shall sit in four centres at least once in every three months. The Minister stated that the constitution of the Arbitration Court would not be altered tliis session. He promised to do so next session.

The motion for committal was carried. Hon. D. Buddo moved the second reading of the Dentists Amendment Bill. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. The Dentists Bill was read a second time.

Hon. A. Ngata moved its recommittal for the insertion of a clause to prevent the aggregation of native lands. Mr. Dive moved as a amendment that it be recommitted for the purpose of inserting a clause giving the lessees of the West Coast leases the perpetual right of lease.

The amendment was negatived. After a lengthy discussion the motion for recommittal was agreed to. Sir Joseph Ward moved the second reading of the Military Pensions Bill. He said he would introduce in committee an amendment making the Bill apply to all those who had been engaged as soldiers of the Crown in any part of the world. Mr. Massey contended that a pension of ten shillings a week should be given to every man in possession of a New Zealand war medal, or who could prove he had been -under fire in the Maori war.

The Bill was read a second time. MOKAU LANDS Sir Joseph Ward proposed to finish the Bills on the order poper to-night and to taike the Mokau discussion to-morrow morning, then the Supplementary Estimates, and (o finish the discussion in time for membors to return home. The House went into committee on the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill, and the Minister inserted a new clause that a mutual agreement would not be recognised unless it bound the majority.