PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16797, 22 July 1920, Page 8

PARLIAMENT.

■WEDNESDAY’S PROCEEDINGS. t LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 21. The Legislative Council met at 2..-.0 p.m. The Registration of Aliens Amendment Bill was received from the House of Representatives and read a first time. The Hon. J. M'Grcgor’s Qrimes Act Amendment Bill, providing for doing away with a Grand Jury in must cases, was read a first time. T'h'-''lien. J tf G. Id ’Gregor moved the second reading of the Juries Act Amendment Bill, providing for the taking of a’ten-twelfths majority verdict in all but capital charges. Ho explained that tlio Hon. E., P. Leo, us a private member, last session proifiiscd to take charge of the Bill when it reached the House, and that ho understood the Government would take it up or introduce a corresponding measure. The Hon. 0. Samuel opposed the Bill on the ground that its passage would tout] to weaken the people’s confidence in the due administration of justice. The main effort should ever bo not to convict, but to administer justice. .. The Hon. H. L. Michel suggested that the majority should be altered to elevontweiftna The Hon. J. Barr supported the Bill. The Hon. Sir J. R. Sinclair oppos’d the Bill, saying the more fact that Mi. MacGregor made an exception of capital charges showed he lacked confidence in the proposal. The Li•■■adev of. tho Council said- he was unable to pledge the Government, but Mr. MacGregor had every reason to believe that the Government would adopt the Bill or propose a similar one Tlio second reading was carried on tho voices. Tho Ctnmcil adjourned p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. BERTHING OF MAHANA. Tho I louse of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m, - Replying to Mr. Fraser, the Hon. 0. J. Parr (Minister of Public Health) said tlio usual course followed in connection With the berthing of tho M.-m liana, on which there had, boon rases or scarlet fever. Tho medical officers of the department state they regard the berthing ns quite justifiable, and were prepared to take full responsibility for their nction. TARIFF AMENDMENT. Tho Excise Tariff Bill was introduced by Mr. M'Caiim, and was read 'a first time. During tho discussion, tho Opposition Unmet! tlio Government for not having revised tho Customs tariff, with not Paving increased death duties, and with not having imposed a heavier land tax. Mr. Massey contended that tho Customs tariff could net ho revised without long preparation on the pert of experts, for which there was not time this session. Tho country could not do with ic-as revenue than war, at present being raised, and if taken off in one direction it must ho put on in another., He recognised tho necessity of a revision of the whole system of taxation, and ho would set up a committee in the House to investigate tho position. The Hon. C.' J. Parr contended that tho death and succession duties in New Zcnhi.rl were, far higher than was generally supposed. Under tin’s duel taxation in some cases nearly half an estate could bo taken. Mr. Wilford argued that , the occasions on which the dual tax camo into pporation were negligible. COMPENSATION TO MINERS. Mr. Parry moved tlio second reading of tho Mining Act Amendment Bill. Ho explained that the Bill sought to imicnd section 268 of the principal Act in, tho direction of giving tho, right to sue for injury received, notwithstanding that a miner may have received progress payments under the Workers’ Compensation Act, 1908. He pointed cut that acceptance of such payment'-' nullified a miner’s claim under the- common Jaw, which was not tho case with workers in other industries.. He piny asked that miners be placed on tbp same plane ns all other workers. He.suggested tlio Rill should go to the .Mines Committee, ns ho wanted tho matter ■gone into by exports. The Bill was read a second time.