PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Times, Issue 12186, 22 September 1911, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

THURSDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Council met at 2.30. IMPREST SUPPLY. The Imprest Supply Bill was put through all stages. RETURN PROMISED. The A'&coimey-General informed Hon. J. Barr that a return of the number of nueimbera of union employers and union, workers 'would be prepared and laid on the table. MENTAL DEFECTIVES. On a motion to go into committee on the Mental Defectives Bill, Hon. J. T. Paul suggested its reference to" a select committee as there were matters which co,uld more effectively be threshed out there than on. the floor of the Council. The Bill was on the right lines but did not touch the bedrock of the difficulty. He contended that we ought to stop the breeding of mental defectives. The eflort of prcpogation of these was such as to demand the fullest discussion and the people of the country looked to Parliament, for the betterment and purity of the race. Hon. J. E. Jenkinson alsoi said that he advocated the sending of the Bill to. a select committee. Hon. J. Anstey thought before drastic steps were taken toi deal with mental defects we ought to arm ourselves with a good deal more scientific knowledge than we are. possessed of. Hon. G. Jones moved the adjournment of the debate. At the suggestion of the AttorneyGeneral thet 'debate was adjourned until 8 p.m. He would, he said, have an opportunity of considering a suggestion to refer the measure to a select committee. CONDOLENCE. The Attorney-General moved a resolution in appreciation of the public services of the late Hon. Mr Flatman and sympathy with fcuisi family. The Council then, rose until 8 out of respect of the memory of deceased.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. LEVY ON CIVIL SERVANTS. Mr Pearoe (Patea) asked the Minister of Agriculture if it was cotrect that the officers of bis department had to pay a levy of 2d per cent to cover the defalcation of an officer of the 'department. Hon. T. MacKentsie explained that a system obtained in the civil servioe, by which, under the Act, officers were bound to make good by levy the amount of defalcations. This hj, been in operation for 35 years and an alteration was not contemplated. EON. FLATMAN'S DEATH. Sir Joseph Ward read a telegram announcing the 'death of the Han. Mr Flatman, an es-member of the House. He paid a tribute' to the deceased gentleman's work in public life and moved the usual resolution recording the House's appreciation of Mr Flatman's services to the country; and sympatny with the family. Mr Massey, Sir J. W. Steward, and Messrs Nosworthy and Buxton also paid 'tribute to the sterling Qualities of the late Mr Flatman and om the motion of Mr Massey the House adjourned until 7.30 out of respect' to the memory of deceased. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. EVENING SITTING. The Council in the evening passed 24 clauses of the Mental Defectives' Bill unamended, and reported progress. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. EVENING SITTING. In the House , a number of local bills passed the various stages. NEW MAIL SERVICE. Sir Joseph Ward moved for a motion ratifying the Government's action in establishing a four-weekly mail service between Auckland and Vancouver. He pointed out that the conditions were favourable and there was ample and cargo space) and provision for frozen meat. The time of service between New Zealand and London would be 31 days and the subsidy £20,0011. The service would be carried on by three boats. The new service would alternate with the 'Frisco service.

Mr Massey said there was very little difference of opinion on the matter. The general opinion was that our mail service was not up-to-date.

Messrs Poole, Myers and Luke supported the motion.

Mr Henries considered that a five years contract was too long, as the Panama Canal might be opened before the. contract expired. Sir Joseph Ward having replied, the motion was asrreed to and the House rose at 11.20.