House of Representatives

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 12588, 8 October 1908, Page 2

House of Representatives

WELLINGTON, October 7. The House met at 2.30 p.m. QUESTIONS. Ministers, replying to questions, stated that a suitable memorial should be erected over the grave of the late Edward Gibbon VV.ikefield, and that proposals in this diretion will be submitted next session. That the House will be asked to drop thi> police clauses out of the Public Ser\ice Superannuation Bill, so thatf they may be maturely considered hereafter. Tfiat with regard <to the reported boycotting by the British Medical Association of members of their own profession who have been serving the friendly societies at fair and reasonable cost, it is difficult to see him the Government can interfere in such a dispute, but inquiries will be made into the position with a view to securing, if possible, the righte of the societies in their laudable efforts on behalf of the sick and distressed. It is not proposed to have a close season for imported or native game throughout the Dominion in 1909, though possibly there may bo a close season in some districts. That the matter of including within the scope of the Public Service Superannuation Act the staSa employed in hospitals, museums, and universities, other than those already included in some pension scheme, is one that calls for careful consideration. That a committee will be set up to search the journals of the Legislature Council to report on the position of the Agricultural Produce Sale and Importation Bill. Replying to Mr Aitken, the Premier said he hoped in a day or two to be able to announce that the Government had completed negotiations for a connection with Tahiti and Karctonga, which, would give us another connection with the old land and an inexpensive one from our point of view. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. ARBITRATION BILL. I A message was received from the Council stating that the Council insisted upon its amendments in the Arbitration Bill. Managers from the House were appointed to confer with, the Managers from the Council. STANDING ORDERS. Sir Joseph Ward asked for leave to move a notice of motion standing' in hid name — that on and after Wednesday, 7th inst., the Standing Order* he suspended to enable new business to be taken after halfpast midnight. Mr Maasey protested.

Sir J. Ward failed to see why Mr Masscy should obstruct business in this way. Mr Ma6sey pointed out that the Standing Orders required two clear days' notice to be given. Sir Joseph Ward said his motion was for the sale purpose of expediting business. Mr Massey replied that if the motion was carried it would enable the Government to bring down important Bills, like the Maori Laud Laws Amendment or Public Service Cluassification and Superannuation, at two, three, tr four o'clock in the morning. The Speaker asked if any number o» jected to the motion being luougH £■••- ward, notwithstanding that t.vo dn.j' tice had not been given. Mr Massey — Yes, I do. WORKERS' COMPENSATION. The House then proceeded to the consideration of the Workers' Compensation Bill in Committee. On the motion of Mr Barclay a new clause was inserted providing that there shall be no abatement of compensation if claimant is insured. ARBITRATION ACT. A conference of members of both Houses will consider the amendments in the Arbitration Bill at 11 o'clock to-movrow mornino- in the Council Chambers. WELLINGTON, October 8. In the House, after a lengtEy discussion upon the first schedule, it was agreed to strike out the title "hazardous occupation," and substitute "special occupation. ' The Premier moved the second reading of the Public Service Classification and Superannuation Bill, to make amendments in the Public Service, Teachers', and Police Superannuation Acts. The Minister requested the clauses referring- to /the ! police should be struck out. It was impracticable to include teachers in the same j scheme. An annual subsidy of .£7OOO was I provided, corresponding to a subsidy of ,£20,000 provided by the Act of 1907 for public service superannuation. Both contained provisions to include the Post and Telegraph Department. Various amendments were introduced in the Bill, mainly to obviate abuses. Clause 57 gave power to the Board to determine the rate of contribution payable to a contributor reappointed. The clauses relating to broken - time were struck out. Mr W. Fraser considered the contribution would reach over .£60,000 in 20 years. Mr Massey said the variety of Bills the Government brought down in the dying hours of the session was resulting in hasty and ill-considered legislation. After 2 o'clock, Sir Joseph Ward, replying, referred to the fact that for years the country had paid hundreds of thousands in superannuation and compassionate allowances, without building up any fund. He went on to quote" at great length from the evidence given by the actuary on the present Bill, to show that the funds proposed were actuarially sound for three years, with a maximum increase of contribution at the end of every three years of .£BlOO. He quoted from a letter received from the Educational Institute', expressing approval of the Bill, and expressed regret that the police had elected to stand out, because there could be no doubt that their present fund was not sound. The Bill was committed on the voices. Clause 1 was passed. Progress was then reported. The Workers' Compensation Bill was read a third time and passed. The House rose at 2.40 a.m. WELLINGTON, October 8. The House sat at 10 a.m. The Premier moved to take new !.usiness after 12.30 at night. Mr Massey divided the House on the motion, which was carried by 42 to 14. The amendments of the Legislative Council! in the Hokitika Harbour Eill were agreed to. The House then devoted the morning to dealing with local Bills. '