PARLIAMENT AT WORK.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1924, Page 5

PARLIAMENT AT WORK.

NEW LEGISLATION APPEARS. SEVERAL BILLS DEALT WITH. THE CONTROL OF WIRELESS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. to-day. An amendment made in the Masseurs Registration Amendment Bill by the Legislative Council was, on the motion of the Hon. Sir M. Pomare, approved. The Land Bill was, on the motion of the Hon. A. D. McLeod, read a third time and passed. The Local Bodies Loans Amendment Bill was, on the motion of the Prime Minister, read a third time and passed. The Postmaster-General (Hon. J. G. Coates) moved the second reading of the Post and Telegraph Amendment Bill, which, he said, was the result of conferences between listeners-in and broadcasters on the subject of listening-in, both ofi whom were agreed that the existing arrangements were most unsatisfactory. Not one broadcasting station in New Zealand to-day could give a satisfactory programme, he said, and it had occurred to those interested and to himself that if they could amalgamate the different interests they might develop broadcasting in New Zealand in a way not hitherto dreamed of. It was proposed to have a board of control in conformity with the agreement arrived at between the parties and the Minister. The amount of the dealers’ fee had not yet been definitely settled, but something like £lO had been mentioned. Other clauses of the Bill were of a machinery nature and were necessary for the better working of the Post and Telegraph Departments. Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition) said he wanted to put in a plea for the one valve man, the small man. Who could say but that some day we would discover among our young amateurs some genius who would work wonders in wireless. We had reared Sir Ernest Rutherford, the first in his line in science in his world to-day, and we might just as easily provide a wonder in wireless out of our young men, who were now indulging in wireless as a pastime. Only this week a young amateur in New Zealand had talked with another amateur in California. That was a wonderful feat to-day, but it would soon be quite commonplace. We must encourage our young men by making the conditions for them as reasonable as possible. Mr. Coates, in reply, said the one valve man could practically get his outfit for £2 and the annual license fee would be about 255. He agreed that young men should be encouraged. The Bill was read a second time. POLICE OFFENCES BILL. The Hon. C. J. Parr moved the second reading of the Police Offences Amendment Bill which would be revised by the statutes revision committee. He explained that the law in regard to insulting behavious in a public place is to be enlarged to include shops as well as streets, etc. Fines of £5 are provided for Sunday trading. The definition of a “public place” was extended to “any place used by the public.” The scope of section 51 of the principal Act had been extended to give power to deal with rogues and vagabonds found “in or on any building, or in any enclosed yard, garden or area, or in or on board any ship, launch, dredge, yacht, boat or other vessel.” Extended powers were provided in regard to the power to search for pillaged goods, it being estimated that at present the annual loss to the shipping companies trading in New Zealand was £25,000. There was a clause providing that naval ratings arrested for drunkenness may be delivered to their ships without further authority than that of an officer of the police station to which they had been taken. The penalty for obtaining credit by fraud to an amount not exceeding £5O is three months’ imprisonment or a fine of £2O. Wrestling contests as well as boxing contests are to be subjected to police supervision. The penalties for taking motor cars belonging to other persons without intent to commit theft, that is, for the purpose of joy-riding, are the subject of more stringent provisions in the amending measure. The existing law provides for a fine not exceeding £lO or imprisonment not exceeding two months. The Legislative Council originated an amendment last session raising the fine to £5O and the term of imprisonment to three months. In the present Bill the fine is fixed at £2O or the maximum term of imprisonment of three months. The Bill was read a third time and passed.

THE RAILWAY SERVICE. The Hon. J. G. Coates moved the second reading of the Government Railways Amendment Bill, explaining that the most interesting feature of the Bill was a proposal to make the classification of railway servants by regulation instead of by Act of Parliament as at present. The existing system was cumbersome and not sufficiently elastic. A* arrangements were made between the men and the Minister they could not be given effect to until Parliament again met, and moreover he did not know of an instance where Parliament had altered the schedule when it was submitted to its members. He denied that the change was lontemplated for purposes of working reductions in salary. Mr. W. A. Veitch (Wanganui) put in a plea for better working conditions for way and works men. They were now compelled to work 48 hours a week and often had to travel long distances to their work. He considered they should be paid for travelling one way as recommended by the minority report of the recent railway commission. Shunters were also badly treated and badly paid. Their work was dangerous and arduous and the conditions tailed for immediate reform. He deprecated two sets of employees on the railways having different sets of working hours as now existed. This did not make for harmony or uniformity.

Mr. S. G. Smith (Taranaki) contended that casual workers in the railway service should receive a higher rate of pay because they received no superannuation. The Bill now before the House! was designed to place the men and their salaries absolutely in the power of the Minister and to this he would not consent. as it was calculated to create greater discontent in the service than at present prevails. The Bill was read a second time and referred to the Railway Committee. WORK OF THE SESSION. The Premier, in the course of a reply to Mr. Wilford. said he would make a statement as to the work which he hoped to complete this session in the

course of a few days, but he did not anticipate that the business would keep the House much beyond the end of next month. The House rose at 11.30 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. to morrow. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. PREVENTION OF CRIME. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. to-day. The Police Force Amendment Bill and I the Births and Deaths Registration Bill I were reported from the statutes revision 'committee, the first without amendment and the Death’s Registration Bill with a minor amendment. In moving the second reading of the Prevention of Crime and Borstal Instil utions Establishment Bill, Sir Francis Bell {said he proposed to ascertain from the Department of Justice whether it was conl&dered essential that a sentence of deten- | rion should be passed upon young offend[ers. He would suggest that detention should be by order instead of by sentence in order to remove the stigma cast upon an offender. The Bill was read a second time. The Tax Amendment Bill was put through its final stages and passed. The Council adjourned at 3.30 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.