PARLIAMENT AT WORK

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1926, Page 9

PARLIAMENT AT WORK

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. DAYLIGHT SAVING BILL. AMENDMENTS DEFEATED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. to-day. Three days’ leave of absence was granted to the Hon. E. Mitcheteon on account of illness. SUMMER TIME BILL. In moving the committal of the Sumtner Time Bill, the Hon. J. Barr de« clared that the only real objection came from a certain section of the community who did not understand the proposal. He referred to various objections raised by rural interests, but he argued * that what should be considered was the fact that it would confer great benefit .upon the great majority of the people. He felt sure the Bill would not be pressed again if it was found to work unsatisfactorily. Sir Heaton Rhodes said he had always been against the Bill because he must have regard for the objections of others ia the farming community Personally he would like to see it become law. The Hon. G. L. Garland contended that the Bill would detrimentally affect a large section of the community and inflict great hardship on formers. Hon. E. Newman, another opponent, pointed out that five Ministers were opposed to the Bill in the House, and suggested that, therefore, it did not have much weight behind it. One year’* trial of the principle had been enough for Australia. He contended, that there was too much time already for sport, and young people should turn their minds more to other things. lion. Col. G. J. Smith referred to the representatives of the various sections of the community who supported the proposals and urged the Council to support it in the interests .of the great majority. Hon. H. L. Michel pointed ou„ that no harm could come of a four months’ trial. After further discussion the Bill was committed without division. In committee, the Hon. Col. Smith moved to insert an amendment which he said had been promised, and agreed to in the House, to the effect that if the miners found that the Bill imposed difficulties upon them the Arbitration ( onrt might make an order prescribing that all reference in their awards to any specified point of time should, during the period of summer time, continue to be reference to New Zealand standard time. The amendment was defeated. (Left Sitting.) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House of Representatives met at ■2.30 p.m. RAILWAY SAFETY. Mr. T. K. Sidey (Dunedin South) asked the Minister of Railways whether it was intended to instal automatic appliances in railway carriages for stopping trains in ease of accidents. The Prime Minister replied that it was intended to instal in each passenger car compartment an emergency appliance, and the Government Railway! Amendment Bill would include provision for the imposition of a penalty for improperly using the appliance. DOCTORS’ FEES. The Leader of the Opposition) Mr. Holland) asked the Minister of Health whether the doctors attending patients in hospitals were allowed to charge fees for their services, in addition to fees charged by the Hospital Board. He said lie knew of a ease where a patient went into hospital and was treated by a doctor whom he had not engaged for the purpose but who, along with other doctors, acted as a medical superintendent, The patient when discharged received a Bill from the hospital as well as from the doctor. Mr. Holland wanted to know whether the department approved of that practice, and whether it was not dangerously close to a private ward system? • Hon. J. A. Young, Minister of Health, replied that from what he could gather if hospital by-laws permitted this being done the" system was correct. Ha had noticed that this practice obtained in some country districts. Generally speaking he was not in favour of tha system, but there might be reasons for its existence in special cases. He would have inquiries made into the matter. The Local Elections and Polls Amendment Bill and Marriage Amendment Bill, were introduced on the motion of , tha Hon. R. F. Bollard and read a first time. LOCAL RAILWAY BILL. Hon. K. S. Williams, Minister of Public Works, moved the second reading of the Local Railway Amendment Bill. He explained that it made some minor amendments to the existing law. The Governor-General might in a petition divide districts into wards. The board were to be elected every three years, and local railway districts might also on petition be abolished. lie only knew of one board functioning under the original Aet. Mr. Holland, Leader of the Opposition, criticised the original Act, which he Baid was wrong in principle and in detail. Mr. A. Hamilton (Wallace) supported the Bill. It was necessary for the proper working of a Southland board which was operating with success. The measure did not impose any liability on the Crown. Sir Joseph Ward and Mr. J. Horn supported the Bill for similar reasons. Mr. Hockley (Rotorua) said there was need for this legislation. It was proposed to employ it in his district, but owing to the war projects became too expensive and were not carried out. There were boards in existence whieh had no power to close down and there was a demand for this right. The Minister, in reply, said one of the existing boards was thinking of closing down, and this Bill gave them the right to Jo so when they thought proper. The Bill was read a second time. (Left Sitting.)