PARLIAMENT

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 23 July 1925, Page 7

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

By Telegraph—Tress Association. WELLINGTON, July 22 The House met at 2.30 p.m.

MR CORRIGAN’S CHARGE. After the transaction of formal business, the Prime Minister rose and said that a few evenings ago, when the member for Patea was speaking the Address-in-Reply, he suggested that a certain member or members ot tne Cabinet were in some way mteiested in land on the Henderson lino, to the detriment of the State. He understood that the lion, member was lna f ul ° ”" quiries as to the accuracy or otheivise of the information on which his statement was based, and he would likethe hen. gentleman to tell the House whether his information confirmed or otherwise his statement. He bad no desire to make unnecessary fuss about the matter, but it was a well-estab-lished custom of the House that "’hen charges were made, they ?b° u Mb® cleared up as speedily as possible. They must preserve the honour and mteg rity of members. , . ~ . Mr J. R. Corrigan (Patea) said he was making inquiries, and as soon as information came to hand he would certainly make a statement to _ tlie House. He had no desire to do injustice to anyone, nor did he want injustice to be done to himself. If he was in the wrong he would be man enougn *° TO QUESTIONS. The remainder of the afternoon sitting was taken up with discussion on Ministers’ answers to questions. Ministers gave amongst others, the following answers to questions asked during the -week: — . That the regulations governing the erection and use of electric lines are now being revised. It is proposed to lav down instructions therein to ensure the safety of painters and others working on buildings, and to provide for protection from contact with service wires. ~ . That the electoral law provides for prosecution if there is wilful default to apply for registration. Those persons who'have so far not registered, may resT assured that if they can give any reasonable excuse for such failure, their application, if in order, will be accepted. That the suggestion that a central 'organisation should he formed for after care of prisoners, has had the Denartnrent’s attention, hut in view of the fine work carried on by the Prisoners’ Aid Societies and the Salvation Army (both subsidised by the Government!, and probation officers, it is considered that the existing arrangement should not for the present be disturbed. That is is proposed to gazette regulations (under the provisions of the Health Act! regarding the use of white lead in paint.

That it, is not proposed to prohibit in bakeries. That is is proposed to introduce a Bill taking into account the recommendations of the committee on mental dcW'rtives. That the Hi<di Commissioner is i’ l direct tonrii with Dp, So n biinger, and reports all fresh inform* 4 lon received t>v him in connection with the Speh--I'nsier treatment for tuV'-oulosis. He haw however, been again asked to mak" inqnirv and forward ’nformatien in this rnnnortinn. According to the last, advice Soahlinmn- w"« not in a position to give supplies of his preparations.

The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m.

EVENING SESSION. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m,

SHEARERS’ QUARTERS

Mr X l '. Langsume moved tue second reacting of the Shearers’ Accommodation. Amendment 'Bill, which, lie explained, sought to improve living conditions of shearers. The Bill provides that dining moms where shearers are given their nieals shall be adequately provicietT with tables and seating uceon modation. Under no circumstances shall anyone sleep in a dining room; proper washing and bathing lacilities shall be provided; under no circumstances shall a killing pen be less than three hundred yards from a dining and sleeping quarters; killing pens shall have concrete floors, and shall be provided with adequate water supply and fly safes. Mr Langstono said these amendments wei’e necessary to bring the New Zealand conditions up to tho level of Queensland. The Minister of Lands said he did not intend to object to the provisions of the Bill. If any undesirable conditions existed, it was time they were remedied, but if they existed some inspectors must bo responsible. He felt that there were sufficient powers under the present laws to bring about all the improvements asked for. Mr W. E. Parry said there were few employers who did not treat men properly, and those who did give employees full consideration would not be affected. If there were not very real need for tiro Bill it would not be before the House.

The Minister of Lands pointed out, that in many cases accommodation for Shearers was needed oniv for a week or two per year. Most of the large stations, however, had quite as good accommodation as anyone could desire in such circumstances. The Bill would have the fullest rons'deration from the Agricultural Committee if it went before them. Mr H. E. Holland said that information supplied to Labour members showed that the improvements asked for in the Bdl were needed. There wore authentic eases, for instance, of men being required to simp in dining rooms; in ethers, men had to sleep in kitclions; and there were cases, particularly in Native districts, where no provision was made> for the separation of sexes.

The Prime Alnfster said no doubt there were some instances where con'Wtions were not as they should he. Ho hoped, however, tlmt in applying the regulations, osr>c.-inlly with regard to the location of killing nous, some elas-ticit-v should be norm it ted. Tho Minister of Labour said all that Was asked for eeidd be aeeompl'slred bv regulations under the existing \ct. Mr 11. T. Armstrop" and Air J. O’Brien supported tho Bill.

Mr Langston© said the present Act did pot apply to small sheds and this Bill simply sought to secure decent conditions for men employed therein. The Bill was read a second time on the voices and referred to the Agricultural Committee.

COOK ISLANDS. Sir Maui Pomare moved the second reading of the Cook Islands Amendment Bill, providing for the transfer of lepers from the Cook Group to a leper station in Fiji. . ~, The second reading was carried without discussion.

SECOND READINGS. In moving the second reading ot the Nurses ancl Midwives Registration Bill Sir Maui Pomare (Minister ot Health) said it was mostly of a consolidating nature,. The new provisions were for the setting up of a registra-, tion board, and for special facilities being given for training maternity nurses • The Bill was read a second time on tllG voicos. The Massov Burial Ground Bill (constituting Point Halswell a burying ground for the late Prime Minister),, moved by the Hon. J. C. Coates, was read a second time. In supporting the motion,, Mr \\ ilford suggested that opportunity should be taken to make a beginning with recording tlie work of tlie Prime Ministors by having oil paintings hung in the precincts of Parliament. Mr Contes agreed with the suggestion. which he said the Government would he glad to consider fully. _ The Tndnrtvial Conciliation Arbitration Bill (Hon. G. J. Anderson) was read a second time pro forma, and referred to the Local Bills Committee.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. Tlie Weights and Measures Bill (Hen. G. J- Anderson) was put through the final stage, road a third time and passed.

LOCAL LEGISLATION. Tho Hon. R. V. Bollard (Minister of Internal Affairs) moved the second reading of the Local Legislation Bill, to provide for proper; means of dealing with minor matters requiring legislative authority, and which were now included in a Washing-Up Bill. Tho latter was now assuming such proportion, each session that it was felt something should be done to limit the matters included therein. Mr W. A. Veiteh protested against tho Bill, which would take away from local bodies the opportunity of validating some little technical error. The Hon. G. J. Anderson said members had always attacked the WashingUp Bill in the past because those concerned did not know the import of clauses introduced.

The Hen. I). Buddo opposed the Bill. Sir John Luke said the Bill preserved to Parliament all the authority it had now under the Washing-Up Bill. After tho supper adjournment, Mr VeHch asked the Speaker to give a ruling on the latter part of tho clause, which states: “No provision shall he included in a local legislation Bill as hereinbefore provided for, unless application had lwoi made and notification given thereof in the Gazette, ns provided bv this Act.” Mr Veiteh said this nart of the clause conflicted with the Standing Orders, and tho rights of members. After a, brief discussion, the Sneaker said he was virtually lming asked to give the legal effect of the clause, if it passed. He could not do this, but he would say tint in every ease the statute lew of (he land would override the Standuio- Orders of the House. Mr G. S. Smith (Taranaki) said much of 1 lie imaiso lavished on this Bill was only so much moonshine. The Hen. A. 0. McLeod said this Bill would not do away with tho Wash-ing-Up Bill a'toe-cthor. lull it would toko a. great deal of resnor.sibility off tlm Minister in charge, of it. Mr I). G. Sullivan said the House should not give the Bill a .second rendh'c- with clause S in it. unless the Minister gave some that lie was prepared to .nmand ,'f

Tn renlv to Mr H. H Holland, tho TTon. R. E. RoMmd said lie was prepared to amend the clause, on-] ; n a, wav ns to roi".-'"’-. the rights of members to amend R'Ts. Air Bollard, in renlv. said there was no need for mo'"tw.s tn get .anxious about the Rill. There was no nltemnt to curtail tpe rights of members. Ho world look info it. and if necessary, nn-Pe its no'-pasoi ’".ore clear.

The .see-ad reading was agreed to. "lid Hie Rip —as referred to tllO St all (1 - in" Orders Committee. The House rose at 12.5 n.m., till 2..10 p.m., to-morrow.