PARLIAMENT AT WORK.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1925, Page 9

PARLIAMENT AT WORK.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. AFTER CARE OF PRISONERS. MENTAL DEFECTIVES PROBLEM. Bj- Telegraph —Press Association. 'Wellington, Last Night. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Ministers gave the following answers to questions asked during the week: — That regulations governing the erection and use of electric lines are now being revised. It is proposed to lay down instructions therein to ensure the safety of painters and others working on buildings and to provide for their protection from contact with service ft ires. That the electoral law provides for a prosecution if there is unlawful default to apply for registration. Those persons who have so far not registered may rest assured that if they can give any reasonable excuse for such failure, their application, if in order, will be accepted. That the suggestion that a central organisation should be formed for the after care of prisoners has had the department’s attention, but in view of the fine work carried on by prisoners’ aid societies and the Salvation Army (both subsidised by the Government) and probation officers,' it is considered that the existing arrangements should not for the present be disturbed. That it is proposed to Gazette regulations under the provisions of the Health Act regarding the use of white lead in paint. That it is nut proposed to prohibit night work in bakeries. That it is proposed to introduce a Bill taking into account the recommendations of the committee on mental defectives. The permanent heads of the health and mental hospitals’ departments and Sir Donald McGavin, a member of the committee, who are now in England, have been asked to inquire specially into this problem with a view to ensuring that the legislation will lie in a form likely to prove practically workable and effective. That the High Commissioner is in direct touch with M. Spahlinger, and reports all fresh information received by him in connection with the Spahlinger treatment. He has, however, been again asked to make an inquiry and forward information in this connection. According to the last advice Spahlinger was not in a position to give supplies of his preparations. ■SHEARERS’ AOC'tIMMODATION. Mr. F. Langstone (Waimarino) moved the second reading of the Shearers’ Accommodation Amendment Bill, which he explained sought to improve the living conditions of shearers. The Bill provides that dining-rooms where shearers are given their meals shall be adequately provided with tables and seating accommodation. Under no circumstances shall anyone sleep in a dining-room. Proper washing and bathing facilities shall be provided, including an ample supply of hot and cold water, including the washhouse copper. Under no circumstances shall the killing pen be less than three hundred yards from the dining and sleeping quarters. Killing pens shall have concrete floors and shall be provided with an adequate water supply and flyproof safes.

The Minister for Lands said' he did not intend to object to the provisions of the Bill. If any undesirable conditions existed it was time they were remedied, but if they existed some inspectors must be responsible. Therefore, he felt there were suffieient powers under the present laws to bring about all the improvements asked for.

Mr. IV. E. Parry (Auckland Central! said that if there was not a. very real need for the Bill it would not be before the House now.

The Minister for Lands pointed out that in many cases accommodation for shearers was only needed for a week or two per year. Most of the large stations, however, had quite as good accommodation as anyone could desire in such circumstances. The 7 Bill would have the fullest consideration from the Agricultural Committee if it went before them. Mr. 11. E. Holland (Leader of the Labour Party) said the information supplied to Labour members showed that the improvements asked for in the Bill were needed. There were authentic eases, for instance, of men being required to sleep in dining-rooms. In others men had to sleep in kitchens, and there were cases, particularly in native districts, where no provision was made for the separation of the sexes. The Bill was read a second time on the voices and referred to the Agricultural Committee. OTHER BILLS. The Hon. Sir M. Pomare moved the second reading of the Cook Islands Amendment Bill, providing for the transfer of lepers from the Cook group to the leper station in Fiji. The second reading was carried without discussion. In moving the second reading of the Nurses’ and Midwives’ Registration Bill, Sir M. Pomare said it was mostly of a consolidating nature. New provisions were for the setting up of a registration board and for special facilities being given for training maternity nurses. The Bill was read a second time. The Massey Burial Ground Bill (constituting Point Halswell as a burying ground for the late Prime Minister), moved by the Hon. J. G. Coates, was read a second time. In supporting the motion, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. T. M. Wilford) suggested that the opportunity should be taken to make a beginning with recording the work of Prime Ministers by having their oil paintings hung in the precincts of Parliament. Mr. Coates agreed with the suggestion, which he said the Government would be glad to consider fully.

The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill (Hon. G. J. Anderson) was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Local Bills Committee. The Weights and Measures Bill (Hon. G. J. Anderson) was put through its final stages, read a third time and passed. The second reading of the Local Legislation Bill was agreed to, and the Bill was referred to the Standing Orders Committee.

The House rose at 12.5 a.m. till 2.30 p.m.