PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144250, 14 November 1913, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

IjOANS TO LOCAL BODIES

PEE PEEBB ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, Nov. 13. . The Legislative Council met at 2.30. The Hon. 11. D. Bell moved that the Council go into committee on the Local Bodies* Loans Bill and tiio State Advances Bill. , , The Hon. G. Jones entered a protest against the Council being asked to consider such important measures at short notice. The Bills only carao baca from the Statutes Revision Committee, and it was impossible to understand the amendments made unless more time .was given for their consideration. The Hon. H. D. 801 l contended that the amendments wove not material, and unless the Bills were considered by an expert committee the Council as a whole should hesitate to alter them. _ The Bills were considered in committee and progress was reported till tomorrow. The Hon. H. D. Bell moved the second reading of the Temporary Employees Bill, giving improved status to certain persons employed in the public service. He stated that the Bill was asked for by the Public Service Commissioners. A comprehensive amendment to the Public Service Act would be brought down next session. The Bill was read a second time. Hon. J. I). Ormond brought up a report on the Stations Bill, which the committee recommended be not proceeded with in its present form this session. The Council rose at 4.35 p.nn HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. -Mr. Pavnc moved the first reading ol the State Control of Shipping and Farmers’ Protection Bill. He contend, ed that the present was a fitting lime to introduce such a measure, which would put nu e-nd to the distress and the holding up of commerce which existed at present owing to two parties mainly concerned in the shipping business being unable to agree. The Bill also provided for the setting-up of a ‘•Board of Consideration,” consisting of representative members of the whole community, to whom would ho'submitted all differences which could not be settled by the parties concerned. Mr. D. *H. Guthrie moved the adjournment of the debate till November

~ jlr. p. C. Webb objected to the ndjonmment. contending that should have the courage to face the complex situation. 1 Mr. A. H. Hiudmarsh contended that ns the Government had not introduced legislation tho House should take thej matter into its own hands. . The adjournment was carried by oil i votes to 15. ; The Minister of Defence (Hon. J.- ■ Allen) read a letter from Colonel Heard giving an emphatic contradiction to the allegation made by Mr. J. Robertson that he (Colonel Heard) was in command of the special constables. : Mr. Robertson explained what had occurred that had led to his making the statement. He said that. he had been stopped by pickets on the wharf, and a-hile ho "was explaining his position, Colonel Heard had said in his hearing that no one was allowed to pass unless they had a pass signed that morning. I/ater, Commissioner Cullen arrived,, and, apologising, allowed him to pro-1 ceed. He was later escorted round the wharves by Colonel Russell. Several other members protested, amidst continued interruption, against their treatment by special constables, Messrs. G. V. Pearce, J. Bollard and J. A. Escott defended tho special constables. , Sir Joseph Ward said he had been in Parliament for twenty-six years and he had never seen a more humiliating scene than he had witnessed that afternoon, , . . Hon. J. Allen, replying, also regretted the incidents of tile afternoon. He emphasised that Colonel Hoard haf striven ail along to keep tho military out of the strike question. Tho Post and 'telegraph-Bill was reported. On tho Society of Accountants Bill, Mr. G. Witty moved to delete a clause providing that the council of the society may refuse to accept the resignation of unfinanoial members. The amendment was defeated by 3c votes to 17. The Bill was reported. The Railway Authorisation Bill war reported without amendments. The Post and Telegraph Bill, the Accountants Amendment Bill, and tin. Railways Authorisation Bill were road a third’ time. The House rose at 11.30 p.m.