PARLIAMENTARY.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 3075, 6 October 1899, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, October 5. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. YOUNG PERSONS PROTECTION BILL. On the motion for the committal of the Young Persons Protection Bill, Mr T. Kelly expressed the opinion that the p.lleg-Uion as to widespread juvenile imraorility in the colony waa not borne out by evi iencs. He would suypoit the motion for going into committee, but thought I hat Die people of the colony i-hc-uld h'ive an opportunity of expressing an opinion upon the rno^ure. Mr Jrnldf!s>'in s.^id that he was a cordial supporter of the IMI, which in liia opinion would be a powerful preven'ativ.'. Dr Gr-co s.\id ili.it he was satisfied that juvenile depravity was not common ; on the contrary, the general moral tone of the people waa uncommonly high. In his opinion the civilised race which allowed its policemen to put a hand on a giil in the street and by that, mere touch contaminate her character, did a very foolish thing. Mr Kerr declared that the Bill waa unnecessaiy, and he would oppose it. The Minister of Kducation held that the State should nuke up for lack of parental authority. The Bill aimed at stopping childreu falling into immoral ways. The motion to go into Committe was agreed to by 17 votes to 16, tiie votes beiug— Ayes— l7. Kelly, T. Rigg Scotland Jones MeOullough Jcnkinson Fiaser Taiaroa Harris • Tomoana Twomey Bowen Swanson Bo't Ark wright Walker, W. C. Smith, A. L. Nobs— l6. Walker, L. Jenkinson j Baillie Jennings Barnicoat .Boriar Smith, W. C. Grace Kelly, W. Johnston Kerr McLean Gourley Montgomery Feldwick Shrimski When in committee it was decided by 16 votes to 15 to reduce the interpretation of young persons from 16 yeara to 14 years. The remainder of the Bill passed through committee without material amendment, and the third reading waa made the order of the day for next afternoon. The Council adjourned at 4.55 p.m. The Council resumed at 7.30 p m. EMPLOYMENT OF BOYS AND GIRLS. It was decide.! that the Council should insist on the clause concerning apprentices being retained in the Kmployinent of Boys or Girls without Payment Bill. This clause waa struck out of the measure by the House of Repiesentatives. : LOOAL BILLS. The following Local Bills passed their final stages : — 'Jhristchurch Domain Trust Indemnity Bill, Stratford Borough Empowering Bill, Linwood Borough Loan Bill, Borough of Stratford Private Roads Bill, Timaru Harbour Board Loan Bill, Auckland City Borrowing Bill, Mauriceville County Bill. IN COMMITTEE. In committee, the Melrose Borough Gas Bill and Linwood and Woolelon Boroughs Borrowing Bill were slightly amended. SECOND READING. The Local Government Voting Reform Bill was read a eecond lime. The Council rose at 9.15 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. THE ELLIS PETITION. The Petitions Committee reported on the petition of Mr ri. Ellis, Raratonga, praying for consideration for alleged wrongful imprisonment, recommending that as the petitioner had not exhausted his legal remedies, they had no recommendation to make. Mr Duthie moved an amendment that the petition be referred back to the Committee for further consideration, aud for the evidence of Mr Moss, the late Resident. The amendment was carried. NATIVE LANDS BILL. On the motion to introduce the Native Lands Act Amendment Bill, Mr G. Hutchison asked what was the use of introducing such an important Bill at this late stage of the session. The Premier called upon the House to join in passing the Bill. If the present opportunity was lost they might never get one again. The proposal waa that the natives should have equal repreaen tation on the Board which it was proposed should deal with land amounting to over 3,000,000 acres, which would be thrown open for lease and in some cases for sale. All the natives were in favour of the proposal to hand over the land to the Board to deal with, and although.it was late in the session the Bill could pass if the Hoase would take advantage of the opportunity now offered and which might never again occur. To save their race from extermination the chiefs had been brought to see that the Bill would prove of great advantage in preventing them Belling land and in making reserves for the future. Leave was given to introduce the Bill which was read a first time. NOTICES. The Premier gave notice to introduce the Maori Lands Administration Bill. Mr Pirani gave notice to ask if the Government would supplement the offer of troops for the Transvaal by the offer of the services of a battery of the Permanent Artillery with Maxim guna. WORKERS 1 COMPENSATION FOR ACCIDENTS BILL. The House went into Committee on the Workers' Compensation for Accidents Bill. It was agrepd that the proceedings be reported in Hansard. Captain Russell did not sec how it wa3 possible to report the proceedings in committee without increasing the Hansard stall. 'Mr Pirani agreed. The Premier said that if the staff required strengthening then that could be done. Clause 1. Mr Alien moved an addition to the clause — "and ia prepared to insure every risk under the Act." Mr Duthie moved to alter the title of the Bill to ''workmen's" in3tead of " workers." Lost by 32 to 22. In reply to a question, the Premier said that it was not proposed to bring the Act into force until one month after the passing of the Government Accident Insurance Bill, so as to give time to employers to make arrangements for insuring workmen. Mr Allen pointed out that until the Government Accident Insurance Department was in working order the Bill should not come into force. The Premier moved an amendment making the date of coming into operation of the Bill the Ist May, IhOO.— Carried. Mr Smith contended that the Government office Rhould not take a risk that would be refused by a private office. Mr Allen urged that the government must be prepred to take a large collective risk. Mr Allen's amendment was lost by 30 to 29. Mr Mooce moved an amen,d,m.en.t to

clause 2 defining "dependent" which was carried. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The question of including agricultural labourers in the Bill caused considerable discussion, also the. definition of " worker." Mr liolleston urged that the Bill should be universal in its application, said that it would lead to a very expensive scope, and to be equitable the State should take up the work. He would oppose an extension to agricultural labourers.

Mr J. Allen moved an ampM.iment. in the direction of making the B'.il app : y to all classes of workers.

The Premier opposed this, coatourihig that if it waa carried it would render the Bill unworkable.

Mr Taylor coulJ not nnder-'tind country members opposing Iho Bill applying lo agricultural labourers. lie noped that the Premier would stick to his promise to include that clays, as as many many accidents happened on a farm aa in any other industry. Mr Montgomery pointed to the number of accidents to bush fellers as an argument in favour of including that class. Country labourers were worse paid than any other class of the community, and he did no>. see why they should be excluded.

Mr Hogg deprec.ited raisins the cry of town v. country, agricultural and pastoral pursuits were more five from accident than any industry, and should be exempt fro:n the operation of the Bill. Mr Merries did not, see why farmers should not protect their employees in the same way aa it waa proposed to compel manuiicturora to do. The cost to the fartueis would bfi very small considering the bent fit.

Mr Wason considered that it waa n. grosj injustice to exclude agricultural hibourtTo. ;n the hundred and one br inches of agricultural work the men were exposed to various degrees of d-niger to accident, and were as much entitled to protection ;is lhe workers in industrial pursuits.

Mr Morrison wouH like to see the Bill pass as printed. It was absurd to contend that there wa3 as much danger in agricultural pursuits, as for instance in an engineering shop where 'he danger to life and limb was very gieat.

Mr Wilson thought that it would be an injustice to the small fumerrt to include agricultural labourers under the Bill, contending that there was no analogy between farmers and small manufacturera.

Mr Massey contended that the amendment would be a hardship on farmers. Manufactures were protected by the high protective tariff while farmers had to depend on outside markets for prices of produce.

Mr Fisher said that lhe amendment would be destructive to the Bill, and asserted that the amendment was not to pei feet the Bill but to render it inoperative.

Mr Monk supported the amendment.

Mr Gilfediier contended that introducing the amendment, would endanger the Bill. There had been no expressed desire by agricultural labourers to be included, and until then they should pass the Bill as it stood.

Mr Duthie disclaimed any intention to kill the Bill, and regretted the cry town v. country that had been raised. He approved of the proposal to extend the principle of the Bill, and saw no reason why country workers should not be protected as well as those in town.

Mr E. G. Allen considered that small farmers should be excluded from the operation of the Bill. Those who advocated inclusion did not grow oats at Is 3d per bushel.

Mr R. Thomson complained that the towns were always thrusting class legislation upon the Government. He could not support the amendment as it imposed an additional burden upon the country. He contended that the State should step in and take charge of the whole system of industrial insurance.

Mr Hutcheson denied that it was due to the trade unions that they had inspired the Bill. Its necessity was so obvious on general grounds that he failad to see tnat anyone could object to it.

Mr Brown did not think the Bill was introduced at the instigation of trades unionists, but rather from a feeling of humanity which happily was becoming a more common feature of modern legislation. There was great difficulty in the way of making the Bill apply to all workers irrespective of class, and he believed that notwithstanding the cost that the only true solution was compulsory Slate insurance.

Mr AMcn said that the purport of the Bill^vaß that in case of accident to the worker thoso dependent on him should receive compensation. The Bill in ita present form restricted the application of the principle which was wrong. He instanced the coal industry, one of the largest in the colony a8 being on the same footing aa agriculture in respect of not being protected. If as contended the effect waa to lower the wages of agricultural labourers, surely that argument would apply to coal miners, whose ocoupation waß oae of the moat dangerous in the colony. Captain Russell said the amendment contained the only principle that should govern the question. He objected to State insurance as approaching socialism. By including small farmers there was dauger that they would be ruined if made responsible for accidents happening to workmen casually employed. Mr Scobie Mackenzie said that the discussion showed the insufficiency and partial character of the Bill. Legislation on the subject could not stop at the point indicated in the Bill, and to make it complete it would require to be extended to include casual labour. Mr Moore opposed the amendment. Mr Sligo contended that the inclusion of agricultural labourers would not jeopardise the Bill. He could not support making the Bill universal, aa it would open the door to great hardship. Mr Allen's amendment was lost by 47 toll. The discussion,waa continued by Mr Fraser, Mr Flatman, and Mr Massey, who oppoaed including agricultural labourers; and by Alrllerries, Mr Tay^ lor, Mr Tanner, and Mr Carncrosa, who advocated their inclusion. At 1.30 a.m. a motion was moved that strangers be excluded, the object being to relieve the Hansard staff. Lost by 31 to 25. [Left sitting at 2 a.m.] *