PARLIAMENT IN SESSION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXII, Issue 9701, 4 November 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENT IN SESSION.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

{By Tclegrcwh, — Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Last Night.

In the House of Representatives, this afternoon, the report of the Police Commission was laid ou the table.

Mr J. F. Arnold (Duuedin Central) explained that tiie course taken by him was not, antagonistic to Commissioner Diuuie, aud he regretted that that officer had made a personal matter of it. The charges made by MiArnold were serious but not reckless, and if half of them were proved he was justified in making them. Commissioner Dinuie's statement that all the charges made were absolutely baseloss was absurd, but worse still was Commissiouer Diunie's statement that he had laid a trap for public men who were enquiring into the state of the force. He was satisfied, whatever the report might be, that new heads were required for the Police Department. The whole head office ought to be reorganised. Mr T. E. Taylor (Christchurch North) said that since the D.I.C. scandal in Dunediu he had doubts as to the capacity of Commissioner Diunie. Mr Taylor gave instances of laxity of discipline existing iv the force, and proper methods of promo-

tion

Mr A. L. Herdmau (Wellington North) referriug to the state of the force under Cominissiouer Tunbridge, said that that officer had resigned rather than submit to the dictation of Ministers of tho Crown. Iv the present case tiie Ministry was responsible, and could not make a scapegoat of the Commissioner.

Mr T. M. Wilford (Hutt) paid that the Police Force of the Dominion was as good as auy iv the world, and ho did not believe one charge of bribery and corruption had been brought before the Commission.

Sir Joseph Ward, iv reply, said that he had hoped that members would have waited till they had copies of the report iv their hands before discussing it. Referring to Mr Herd mini's remarks, he said that these were contrary to fact and showed bias.

Mr W. Divine, Commissioner of Police, intends to prepare a statement covering the allegations contained iv Mr H. W. Bishop's report to Parliament concerning the Police Force. Mr Diunie will ask the Minister of Justice to lay his statement on the table of the House. WELLINGTON. Last Night. Iv the House this evening Mr D. McLaren (Wellington East) moved the second reading of the Public Works Amendment Bill to enable a local authority to construct a street or road under the statutory width iv certain circumstances, but not less than 30ft. Sir Joseph Ward opposed the Bill. The Bill was referred to a Special Committee. Mr B. Dive (Egmont) moved the second reading of the Mutual Accident Bill to enable the Mutual Fire Insurance Associations to undertake iusurance against accidents aud certain other insurance risks. The Bill was read a second time, and Mr Dive gave notice that he would move to refer it to a special committee. The House rose at 12.H5 a.m. There is a probability of the early introduction of a Bill which will give tenants of workers' dwellings the right to purchase. The secoud reading of the Shops aud Offices Act will be takeu pro forma to-day, so that evidence cau be takeu on the matter by the Labour Bills Committee.

Notice of intention to introduce the following new Bills lias been given by the Attorney-General, the Hon. Dγ Findlay:—Reformatory Institutions, Inferior Courts Procedure, Magistrates' Court Amendment, Destitute Persons, Chattels Transfer.

In the opiuiou of the Government it is jet too early to consider what financial support, if any, should he given by New Zealand to Captain Scott's expedition next year to the Antarctic.

The second reading of the Hou. O. Samuel's New Zealand Society of Accountants' Amendment Bill, which was down on yesterday's order paper in the Legislative Council, has been adjourned for a fortnight. Wide dissatisfaction is expressed by agricultural representatives regarding the present methods of collecting agricultural statistics, says the Minister of Agriculture, ami the reliability of the results is opeu to question. The Government therefore has under consideration the question of obtaining returns by another process, which it is believed will save many thousands of pounds, and, in addition, it is expected, will give more satisfactory results.

In connection with a query by Mr Glover as to whether the plans and specifications have been prepared iv connection with the erection of the new railway station at Auckland, aud when tenders will be called for the work, the Minister of Railways states that it is not the intention to delay the preparation of plans any longer than is essential for the purpose of seeing what plan can best be adopted, having regard to the requirements of the prospective business. Mr G. Laurenson (Lyfcteltou) asked and received permission to withdraw his Licensing Act Amendment Bill. He said he did this after consulting the heads of the New Zealand Alliance, and in view of the recent declaration by the Prime Minister that the Government would this session bring down legislation dealing with liquor questions in the King Country. He also recognised that a measure brought down by a private member had very little chance of getting through in comparison with one introduced by the Government.

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