PARLIAMENTARY

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14074, 4 December 1909, Page 6

PARLIAMENTARY

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Dec. 3. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. IMPREST SUPPLY. An Imprest Supply Bill was put through all its stages. OF ABSENCE. Leave of absence for the rnuiinder of the sessson was granted to Mr Holmes on account of ill-health. MONDAY SITTING. It was agreed that the Council sit on Monday afternoon next. HOSPITALS BILL. Discussion of the Hospital ..nd Charitable Aid Institutions Bill was resumed in committee at postponed clause 72, providing that boards may make an agreement for special terms as to maintenance in hospitals of members of friendly societies. Mr Collins took strong exception to the clause which he said should not have been introduced into the Bill. He pointed out that the medical profession had not had an opportunity of considering the clause, which was one that was likely to disorganise the institution. ~..-. Mr Sinclair agreed that Jie clause ought not be retained. . Mr Samuel objected to the friendly societies or any other body being treated exceptionally under this Lul Mr J. J- Smith thought that it friendly societies wanted special advantages, the question ought to be dealt with in a separate Bill not in a General measure of this land. Mr Callan said there was not the slightest necessity for invoking legislation in favour of friendly societies. Mr McGowan hoped that d"» cil would not destroy a good BUI by introducing such a clause as this one into it. I'he clause would mean the loisting of friendly societies chronic cases on to hospital and charitable institutions. , , Mr Baidy contended that the els use was exceedingly unfair to the doctors; more than one-third of the -lemeers of friendly societies in hospitals paid nothing at present, as they vere unable to pay, and this clause would procure the payment for such patients. If the clause enabled arangements to bo made between the friendly societies and the boards to pay something for every member in the hospials, surely that was a good bargain. Mr Sinclair said that so far from it being a good bargain for the hospitals it would be the very worst that could be made. It put the whole thing down on a money basis which was contrary to the spirit of the Act. Mr Pan! said he could see no wrong in looking at the financial side of the arrangement. The clause would benefit the poorer classes. Mr Collins to test the question noved to delete the opening words of the On a division after further discussion the clause was lost by IS "«o 13. A new clause was inserted on the motion of the Attorney-General providing for a union of hospitals disThe Bill was reported with amendments, read a third time and pa*=ed. The Council then rose.

HOUSE OF REFRESENTATr.vES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. The Friendly Societies' B-ll was in-

troduced by Governor's ni'Sibgu and read a nrst. time. The Prime Minister moved that oa aud aiter Saturday, 4th luamb*, the House sit on Saturdays from 1U a m. till 1 p.m. for tue consideration of the orders of the day only, local Hills to take precedence and thereafter uovernment Bills. The motion was agreed to. THE LAND BILL. The House resumed the interrupted debate on the question that the report of the Lands Cominitee do ue on Thomson (Wallace) =*tered * plea for the freehold on behalf of the the leasehold and denounced the Government's supwenCS s on the land question. The House adjourned at o.M p.m. and resumed at 7.30 P-m-DEFENCE BILL. The second reading of the Deience Bill was carried pro forma on the motion of the Premier and reterred to a select committee. ~,„,„_ THE ESTIMATES. The House went into Committee of Supply. . _. A motion by Mr Allen to reduce the item £llOO for extra clerks and reporters was lost. Mr Hanan moved to reduce the vote £22113, library salaries, by £1 as an indication that these were excessive for tiiu work done. . The Premier gave details ot tlie library and work done by the staff as a warrant for the expenditure. Several .members bore testimony to the value of the library and tin? assistance they had received from the stall'. The motion was negatived. Mr Massey moved to strike out the item: "Financial adviser to th;- Oi.vernment, London, iMUO." After considerable discussion touching largely on Mr ltceves, the late High Commissioner, the motion was put and carried by 35 votes to 26 votes. THE TAX DEPARTMENT. On tne item £4IW, Commissioner <>; Taxes and Valuer General, Mr Wright moved to reo.ucc.the amount by '-- as an indication that the Government should inform the House as to the position in regard to the Commissioner ot laxes against whom charges had been made.

Mr Herdman supported the amend incut and asked tor. general particular, of the case.

Mr Buchanan also supported the amendment.

Sir J. O. Ward said he could not disclose the private business of an individual with a secret department which would have to be done in order to meet the demands of members of the Opposition. He was quite decided in bis attitude in the matter and had no intention of changing ft. The attitude of members in pressing for information was positively indecent. .Mr Massev denied any intention <>n the Opposition's part to pry into l »° private business of anyone, but the position was serious and showed that there was something very wrong in connection with the working of the Department, and it was rumoured that persons in high places were implicated in the irregularities. Sir J. G. "Ward: Does the hon. gentleman mean anyone connected with the Government ? Mr Massey: "I will say persons connected with the legislature. If the Premier will sav that Court cases are pending I will take the responsibility

of advising Mr Wright. to withdraw his amendment.'" The. one course oj>eii to Sir J. G. Ward was 1u let .some members of the Opposition .see tlie Judges' report without names. Sir J. G. Ward said ho could not agree to Mr Massey's suggestion. To do so would show that ho wns unlit to hold his office. If the House decided that the Judges' report he laid on the tabic he personally would not do so. Mr Fowlds, Mr Allen. Mr l',aun-n----son, Mr Glover and Mr Dive, alsosiiokf. the last-named making a charge against the Department, and saying that he would place the particulars «\l it on the table if the Premier would also put his explanation before the House (Left, sitting.)