PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13749, 11 September 1908, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10.,. Per Press Association. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The amendments 'madeHby the House to the Town Boards Amendment Bill and Taupo No; 2 Block Bill were put through committee, read a thirds time and passed. , The Council adjourned at f % 3 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. ALLEGED POLITICAL "JOB." 1 The Petitions Committee had no re>commendation to make on the petition of Thomas Walker, late manager of the Weraroa State Farm Industrial School', for redress. Mr Lawry said Mr Walker had been one oP the anost competent officers the State ever had, but, having incurred the displeasure or animosity of a Government official, he had been dismissed without any reason .being assigned, and a satellite of the Hon. Mr Fowlds, who knew nothing of farming, had beqn put in his ola.ee. This was the inest disgraceful job he lia'd ever heard of. '. Mr Hanan, chairman of the Education Committee, said there was np claim for wrongful dismissal in the petition, but only a claim for alleged defamation of character. Mr Hanan objected to the House being used as a Supreme "Court? to hear an action for defamation lof character. If the petitioner were ag~ I grieved he* had the usual remedy. The report was referred back to the committee. ' NOXIOUS WEEDS. I In committee on the Agricultural" Produce Sale and Importation Bill, the Hon.- Mr McNaV 'explained the 1 obfectr of the .measure was to induce indent agents to exercise proper pare against selling any produce, which, they* h]»d reasonable qause to believe to contain -Seed of an^ injurious plant, or to be affected with any disease. ~ **"*-: Mr Donald Reid moved to, amend clause 3 by adding* after thei- word "seed," the words, "In a state fit to germinate." This was agreed to., and the House rose at s^Bo. • The committee resumed the debate on noxious weeds. Amendments were .agreed,/tQ reducing -the penaltyto £10,, and : providing in the case of a conviction' for annulling a sale, and refunding purchase money. The Bill was reported with vthe amendments. , INSPECTION OF MACHINERY. Mr Millar moved the second reading . of the Inspection of Machinery Amendment Act, which extends the definition of boilers and machinery for inspection purposes,, and requires a certificated engineer to be in charge of an engine and boiler. , Various other amendments, of the principal Act were included in the direction of bringing the law more into conformity* with the exigencies of present conditions and latest develop- , ments. r ' > . * '; Mr Massey thought^ the BiU a good one,', hut. said' under it windmills would have to be inspected. That seemed unnecessary. He thought also that harvesting.'machinery would have, to be inspected. {Ehati seemed unnecessary. Mr -Masgey criticised" some of the technical provisions of the Bill, and thought the schedule far too- heavy. He insistepl upon the necessity of the inspecting of boilers of steam trdlleys. Everything should be done necessary for public safety ;and nothing harassing to owners of machinery. \ In the, course of the discussion which ensued it was stated, that' the license fees would be harassing' to industries. The , necessity was emphasised for an examination test for drivers of motorcars, also the imposing of a speed limit by statute. Mr J. 1 Allen did not see why marine conditions should' be applied in the case of privateK>wned 'boilers, when less onerous conditions sufficed on railways* Mr Millar replied to the % criticisms and the second reading was carried on the voices. . . Mr Mcl^ab moved the committal jof the Declaratory Judgment Bill to enable persons to obtain by anticipation the Court's interpretation of the Statutes. This would enable a person proposing tor lend, money to accompany or focal body to ascertain whether the loan was ultra vires or not. Several members expressed the view that the Bill was ari' excellent measure but required some consideration. In committee at clause 11 a discussion took place as to whether the Arbi- ! tration Court could be bound by declaI ratory judgment obtained precedent to a suit from the Supreme Court. Mr Barclay objected to this as a bad policy. - Clause 12 was amended by the insertion of the words: "Subject to any decision of the Privy Council." A new clause \f as added in regard to costs. The Bill was reported and the House rose at 11.57 a.m. . " , , v *