PARLIAMENT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 17934, 30 July 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 29. . The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Gaming Amendment Bill was committed. On clause two, Sir Francis Bell moved to make a bookmaker liable to summary conviction, explaining that owing to the size of the penalty a bookmaker would still have the right to elect trial by jury. The amendment was adopted. A further amendment by Sir F. Bell, to increase the penalty for a person betting with a bookmaker to a maximum of six months (so as to give the right of trial by jury) was carried. In answer to the Hon. Geddis, Sir F. Bell said he would consider the possibility of widening the definition of a "bookmaker” to make certain of catching those who were engagod in bookmaking as a side line. The Hon. Mitchellson moved to repeal section 28 of the principal Act, to provide for secretaries ot racing clubs receiving by telegram instructions-for investment on the totali sator. The amendment was adopted by 22 to 12. The Hon. Triggs’ amendment, to allow the publication of dividends was carried by 23 to 10. Hon. Cohen's amendment to restrict meetings between Ist May and 31st August io seven races per day was carried by- 18 votes to 12, but the Hon. Smith’s proposal to reduce races to six per day was lost by 18 to 12. Hon. Alison then moved to legalise the use of the double totalisator. Progress was reported, Sir Francis Bell proposing to resume consideration of the Bill to-morrow. The Councii rose at 5.50 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WELLINGTON, July 29. The House met at 2.30. SCHOLARSHIP ALLOWANCES. Replying to Mr. Rhodes (Thames) the Hon. Mr. Parr said he would look into the question of scholarship allowances, and if necessary, he would bring the matter before Cabinet with a view of increasing them. He recognised that, many parents might find a difficulty in keeping a child at a secondary school on the present allowances. OTIRA TUNNEL WORKERS. Replying to Mr. Holland, the Hon. Coates said the men at the Bealy end of the Otira tunnel were working on day wages. Au officer was still inquiring as to the nature of the country in which they were working, and it was his (Mr. Coates) intention to stand by the officer's report. CONSUMPTIVES. Replying to Dr. Thacker, the Hon. Mr. Parr said there was no intention to "dump” North Island consumptives on to the South Island. The Waikato Sanatorium was being gradually closed, but it was proposed- to treat North Island patients at a sanatorium in Hawke's Bay. SUPPLY. The House then proceeded to consider Imprest Supply Bill No. 2, appropriating the sum of £3,014,440 for salaries, wages, etc. Replying to a preliminary question, Mr. Massey said the Bill included the proposed increases to the Public Service salaries recommended by the Coinmissions recently set up to go into that question. The increases would be legalised by Act. The schedule of the Railway Bill would be amended accordingly. There was a provision in the Bill that if the cost of living falls then I the bonuses now being granted would be diminished accordingly. He thought that it was only fair that the increases should date back from Ist April. In moving the second reading of the Bill he recapitulated the circumstances which led to the commissions which were set up to consider increases in the salaries of railway servants and the Public Service. The recommendations of these commissions were submitted to a committee .of the heads of the Public Service Departments, who were asked to co-ordinate the respective findings. The recommendation of this committee would be read to the House. Concluding, he said to meet the increases in salaries contained in the Bill certain increases would be made in public charges, and by means of these increases in railwayfreights, fares, and Postal charges, he hoped to get back at least a million. The Hon. MacDonald said the Bill was no dqubt necessary. However unpleasant it might be for the Minister to have to raise the money, he was glad to see that the money was being raised in such a way as not to flood the country with paper currency. He supported the Bill. Messrs Malcolm, Veitch, Retries, and Hanan carried on the discussion until the 5.30 adjourninent. On resuming at 7.30 the debate was continued by Messrs Wilford, Fraser, Sullivan, Isitt and the Premier. The Bill was passed and the House rose at 1.6 a.m. l