PUBLIC PETITIONS M TO Z COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. J. McC. DICKSON, Chairman.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1920 Session I, I-02

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1920. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC PETITIONS M TO Z COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. J. McC. DICKSON, Chairman.)

Presented, to the House of Representatives, and ordered to be printed.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Wednesday, the 14th Day of July, 1920. Ordered, " That a Select Committee be appointed, consisting of ten mombers, to consider all petitions from M to Z that may bo referred to it by the Petitions Classification Committee ; to classify and prepare abstracts of such petitions in such form and manner as shall appear to it best suited to convey to this House all requisite information respecting their contents, and to report the same from time to time to this House, and to have power to report its opinions and observations thereon to this Houso ; also to have power to call for persons and papers ; threo to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. Craigie, Mr. J. MoO. Dickson, Mr. A. Hamilton, Mr. Hawken, Mr. Horn, Mr. Mander, Mr. T. W. Rhodes, Mr. Statham, Mr. Sullivan, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Lee.) Tuesday, the 20th Day of July, 1920. Ordered, " That all petitions not finally dealt with during the session of 1919 be again referred to the same Committees as they were referred to during the said session."—(Right Hon. Mr. Massey.)

INDEX.

No. i Petitioner. I Page. 282 264 Baxter, G. A., and 1,030 others .. 6 Bland, Thomas, and 63 others .. 6 177 180 Clattin, E. L., and 57 others .. 4 Clinton, H. M., and 73 others .. 4 280 Delaney, Florence and 1,003 others .. I 5 181 Fifield, J., and 124 others .. ..I 4 Final Report .. . • • • ! 7 Fryer, Margaret C, and 1,030 others .. 5 281 178 Gale, G. T., and 26 others .. .. 4 279 357 353 325 128 150 368/19 172 304 183 182 Maloney, Peter .. .. ■. 8 Mansoo'r, H, and 45 others .. .. 8 Mayo, Henry W. .. Merritt, William H. .. <> Mowhinney, Oliver .. .. .. 4 Morrison, M., and 16 othors .. .. 4 Myers, John Scott McClymont, George McCormack, Ernest C. .. ... 5 McCullough, T., and 36 others .. 4 Macdonald, B. R., and 234 others (and 4 7 similar petitions) McHugh, William .. McKeen, Robert, and 2,257 othors McKenzie, Hugh, and 1,128 others .. 4 361/19 53 214 292 210 66 284 107 238 New Zealand Post and Telegraph Officers' 6 Association New Zealand Syrian Benevolent Society 4 Parland, A., and 685 others .. .. 2 Picket, Jessie, and 610 others .. 5 Plummor, Albert .. .. • • 3 Public Trustee of Now Zealand .. 4

No. Petitioner. Page. 369/19 283 Rao, Clara, and 134 others Routloy, K. E., and 1,001. others (and 4 similar petitions) Rule, Cyril R. 2 5 318 5 17 371/19 362/19 118 288 Sampson, Fanny Sands, J., and 27 others Scatter, Robert, and 769 others Smith, George, and 3 othors Smith, Henrietta L. Special Report Stonbeck, A. E. .. .. Stephenson, C. W. . . 8 2 2 2 5 7 2 3 1.04/17 14 171 50 351/19 345/19 77 Tait, James, and 10 others Tauranga Borough Council Thompson, H. H. .. Thome, P. J., and 13 others Tukairangi and 49 others 4 4 2 3 4 15 Vailc, E. E., and 58 others (and 3 similar petitions) Vollheidc, H. A. .. Vueetieh, It., and 74 others 4 135 179 3 4 328 364/19 256 340 299 285 94 175 359 33 187 286 287 Waitt, Thomas G. .. Waller, W. J. White, A. J., and 38 others White, .1. J. W. Wiekham, Robert N. Wilbei'foss, Robert Wiley, Georgina E. Williams, B., and 1,104 others Wilson, J. G., and 10 others.. Wimsett, A. F. Worthington, H. L. Wouldcs, John Wouldes, T. C. 6 3 6 0 6 5 3 4 7 2 5 5 5 170 Yates, Robert, and 33 others 4

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RBPOBTS. No. 104 of 1917.—Petition of A. E. STBNBICK, of Auckland. Praying for compensation for loss alleged to be due to cancellation of his lease of the Government accommodation-house at Rarotonga. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 3rd August, 1920.

No. 352 of 1919.—Petition of Robert Shatter, of Otautau, and 769 Others. Puaying for provision of better ferry service between Stewart Island and the mainland, either by way of subsidy to the Bluff Harbour Board or by other means. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a suggestion that the " Tutanekai " should be put on for one season of five months (Ist December to 80th April) on a Bluff, Stewart Island, Milford Sound, and Martin's Bay round. sth August, 1920.

No. 351 of 1919.—Petition of H. H. Thompson, of Wellington. Prating for compensation for alleged wrongful imprisonment by the military authorities. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 11th August, 1920.

No. 53, Petition of Robert MoKeen and 2,257 Others, and No. 66, Petition of A. PAitLANn and 685 Others, of Wellinglon. Puaying for the founding of an organized housing scheme, and for the continuance and extension of the War Regulations as to limitation of rents. I am directed to report that, as these petitions relate to a matter of policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 25th August, 1920.

No. 172. —Petition of George McClymont, of Hastwell, Mangamahoe. Praying for compensation for loss sustained on his farm by sparks from the railway. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee, as this petition relates to working railways, it should be referred to the Railways Committee. • 25th August, 1920.

No. 118. —Petition of George Smith and 3 Others, of Gisborne. Praying for compensation or other relief in respect of a certain contract with the Gisborne Borough Council. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a suggestion that legislation should be passed enabling the Gisborne Borough Council to make such extra payments to the petitioners as may be agreed upon between the parties, or, in the event of disagreement, payments may be fixed by the Supreme Court. 25th August, 1920.

No. 33. —Petition of A. F. Wimsett, of Wellington. Praying for relief and refund of costs of trial for a certain burglary at the General Post Office, Wellington, in 1909. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 25th August, 1920.

No. 371 of 1919.—Petition of J. Sands and 27 Others, of Cambridge, Waikato. Praying for the immediate restoration of the pre-war reduced passages for women and girls suitable for domestic help. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 25th August, 1920.

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No. 364 of 1919.—Petition of W. J. Waller, of Timaru. Prating for payment of old-age pension for a period of three months alleged to have been wrongfully withheld. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should bo referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 25th August, 1920.

No. 315 of 1919.—Petition of P. J. Titorne and 13 Others, of Sefton. Praying for an inquiry into the case of objectors under the Military Service Act and others. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 25th August, 1920.

No. 369 of 1919. —Petition of Clara Rae and 134 Others, of Wellington. Praying for the release of one Alice Parkinson. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for serious consideration, with a view to the case being fully considered by the Prisons Board under the proposed legislation in relation to cases of this kind. 25th August, 1920.

No. 368 of 1919. —Petition of John Scott Myers, of Marshland, Christchurch. Praying that a certain judgment given by the late Mr. Justice Denniston may be removed from the files of the Supreme Court of New Zealand., I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the' petition should bo referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 25th August, 1920.

No. 107. —Petition of Albert Plummer, of Auckland. Praying for relief for loss of contract to supply Maori prisoners with rations at the Chatham Isles in 1865. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 9th September, 1920.

No. ll.—Petition of C. W. Stephenson, of Wellington. Praying for redress for alleged wrongful dismissal from the Post and Telegraph Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 9th September, 1920.

No. 94. —Petition of Georgina E. Wiley, of Clareville. Praying for a compassionate allowance. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 9th September, 1920.

No. 361 of 1919. —Petition of William: McHugh, of Onehunga. Praying for further compensation for alleged wrongful arrest. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 9th September, 1920.

No. 135. —Petition of H. A. Volliieide, of Wellington. Praying for reinstatement in the Public Service, or, in lieu thereof, compensation for loss of office. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 9th September, 1920.

No. 17. —Petition of Fanny Sampson, of Wanganui. Praying for a compassionate allowance on account of her late husband's services in the Post and Telegraph Department. _ I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 15th September, 1920.

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No. 15, Petition of E. E. Vaile and 58 Others, of Waiotapu; No. 50, Petition of Tauranga Borough Council and 8 other Public Bodies; No. 77, Petition of Tukairangi Mom and 49 Others; No. 150, Petition of M. Morrison and 16 Others. Praying for construction of a railway from Itotorua to Taupo. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petitions should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 15th September, 1920.

No. 171. —Petition of .Tames Tait ami 10 Others, of Waikari. Pkaying for the construction of a groyne at tlie month of the Waikari lliver. L am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration, with a view to a fresh report on the matter by an engineer being obtained. 22nd September, 1920. .

No. 175. —Petition of B. Williams and 1,104 Others, of Gisborne. I'hayijng for some further protection against assaults 011 young children. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for careful and serious consideration. 22nd September, 1920.

No. 214. —Petition of lluuir Mackenzie and 1,128 Others, of Wellington. Praying that the denaturalization of Henry N. C. Joosten be investigated, either by a parliamentary Committee or by a Commission presided over by a Judge of the Supreme Court. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a view to the restoration of Mr. H. N. C. Joosten's rights of citizenship at the earliest possible moment. 29th September, 1920,

No. 182. —Petition of B. R. Maodonald and 234- Others, of Geraldine (and 7 similar Petitions, as per Schedule attached). Pbaying for the construction of the Geraldine railway deviation. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petitions should be referred to the Government for consideration and investigation, with a view to meeting the needs of the district. 29th September, 1920.

SCHED ULE. No. 176.—Robert Yates and 33 others. I No. .180.-- II . M. Clinton and 73 others. No. 1.77.— E. L. Olattin and 57 others. I No. 181.— J. Fifield and 124 others. No. 178..— G. T. Gale and 20 others. No. 183.— T. MacCullough and 38 others. No. 179. —E. Vuoetioh and 74 others.

No. 210. —Petition of the New Zealand Syrian Benevolent Society, of Wellington. Praying for legislation defining the term " Asiatics " under the Pensions Act, 1913, and in any other Act which creates disabilities for native's of Sj'ria as " Asiatics." 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. Gth October, 1920.

No. 238.—Petition of the Public Trustee of New Zealand. Prating that the value of the library presented to the nation should be excepted from the dutiable estate of the late Alexander Horsbrugh Turnbull, or that estate duty shall only be payable by the residuary beneficiaries at the rate at which it would have been paid by them if the said library had been so excepted. [ am "directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 6th October, 1920.

No. 128. —Petition of Oliver Mbwhinney, of Wellington. Prating for reimbursement of his costs of certain legal proceedings. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 19th October, 1920.

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No. 285. — Petition of Robert Wilberfoss, of Wellington. Praying for remission or reduction of a penalty for unpaid income-tax m the estate of Hamilton Gilmer (deceased). I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 19th October, 1920.

No. 187.—Petition of Hamilton L. Worthington, of Petoiie. Praying that the recommendations of the Public Petitions M to Z Committee be carried out, and not be delayed until the League of Nat-ions has convened another Health Convention dealing with matters of health over the whole world. I. am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee i lie petition should lie referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a recommendation that the question of damage sustained by petitioner be referred to arbitration. 19th October, 1920.

No. 283.—Petition of K. E. Routley and 1,001 Others, of Christchurch (and 4 similar Petitions, as per Schedule attached). Praying for a substantial reduction in the present excessive cost of the necessaries of life. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petitions should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 19th October, 1920. Schedule. No. 280.—Florence Dclaney and 1,003 others. No. 282.— G. A. Baxter and 1,030 others, No. 281.—Margaret 0. Fryer and 1,030 other.-. No. 284.—Jessie Picket and 010 others. (Debate on question to refer report buck lo Committee for further consideration interrupted by 5.30 p.m. adjournment.)

No. 318.—Petition of Cyril R. Rule, of Timaru. Praying for a compassionate allowance for injuries sustained. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 20th October, 1920.

No. 288.—Petition of Henrietta L. Smith, of Kiritehere, via Te Kuiti. Praying for compensation for the loss of goods destroyed in the burning of Mr. John Woukles's camp by the police. I am directed to report, that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration, limited to the question of compensation for property actuallydestroyed for the public good. 20th October, 1920.

No. 286. —Petition of John Wouldeh, of Kiritehere, via Te Kuiti. Praying for compensation for the destruction of his camp at Devil's Elbow by the police, by fire. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration, limited to the question of compensation for property actually destroyed for the public good. 20th October, 1920.

No. 287.—Petition of T. C. Wouldes, of Kiritehere, via Te Kuiti. Praying for compensation for the loss of goods destroyed by the burning of Mr. John Wouldes's camp by the police, I am directed to report, that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration, limited to the question of compensation for property actually destroyed for the public good. 20th October, 1920.

No. 304. —Petition of Ernest C. MoCormack, of Rotorua. Praying for compensation for losses sustained in the Waimangu eruption of April, 1917. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 29th October, 1920.

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No. 325. —Petition of William H. Merritt, of Wellington. Praying for compensation for loss of employment in the Samoan constabulary. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 29th October, 1920.

No. 292.—Petition of the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Officers' Association, of Wellington. Praying for compensation for loss of half civil pay by those serving with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. I am directed to report, that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for serious consideration. 29th October, 1920.

No. 328. —Petition of Thomas G. Waitt, of Auckland. Praying for payment of deductions made from his superannuation whilst temporarily occupying a Government position. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 29th October, 1920.

No. 256, Petition of A. J. White and 38 Others, of Aramoho, and No. 264, Petition of Thomas Bland and 63 Others, of Wellington. Praying for an increase in the amount of their superannuation to meet the increased cost of living. I am directed to report that, as there may be a question of policy involved, the Committee has no recommendation to make; but, on the merits of the position, would suggest that Government should seriously consider the question of granting the relief asked for. 29th October, 1920.

No. 299. —Petition of Robert N. Wickham, of Christchurch. Braying for compensation for an alleged assault whilst in the employ of the New Zealand Railway Department. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Railways Committee. 29th October, 1920.

No. 279. —Petition of Peter Maloney, of Nainai, Lower Hutt. Praying for the reopening of a certain Royal Commission on certain charges against him. lam directed to report that in the opinion-of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration, with the suggestion that the position would be met by the Commissioner of Police giving to petitioner a certificate to the effect that the charge preferred against him, impugning his honesty, had been disproved upon investigation by a Royal Commission. Ist November, 1920.

No. 357. —Petition of H. Mansoor and 45 Others, of Dunedin. Praying that by special exemption Syrians shall no longer be described as " enemy aliens." I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. Ist November, 1920.

No. 353. —Petition of Henry W. Mayo, of Auckland. Praying for a rehearing of a certain charge made against him of using words indicating disloyalty. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. Ist November, 1920.

No. 340.—Petition of J. J. W. White, of Blenheim. Praying for compensation for loss incurred in conducting the Blenheim Public Trust Agency. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. Ist November, 1920.

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No. 359.—Petition of J. G. Wilson and 10 Others, of Bull's. Praying for a deviation of the Main Trunk Railway from near Levin to near Greatford. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration, and that, in view of the contemplated alterations in the railway system at Palmerston North, the prayer of the petition should receive early attention. Ist November, 1920. (Debate on the question to refer back to Committee for further consideration interrupted by 5.30 p.m. adjournment.)

Special Report. I have the honour to report that the Public Petitions M to Z Committee desires to record its high appreciation of the great care, ability, and courtesy with which the Chairman, Mr. J. McC. Dickson, has conducted the business of the Committee throughout the session. It further desires that this resolution shall be recorded in the minutes of the Committee, and be reported to the House. James Craigie, 2nd November, 1920. Member of the Committee.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Public Petitions M to Z Committee, consisting of ten members, has during the session held sixteen, meetings, the average attendance at each meeting being seven. The following table shows the disposal of the business which came before the Committee : there are no arrears:— Petitions referred to the Committee ... ... ... 63 Petitions dealt with ... ... ... ... ... ... 61 Reports presented to the House ... ... ... ... ... 40 Referred for favourable consideration ... ... ... ... 24 Referred for serious consideration ... ... ... ... ... 2 Referred for consideration and investigation ... ... ... ... 8 Referred for consideration ... ... ... ... ... ... 16 Petitions given "No recommendation " ... ... ... ... 8 Petitions referred to another Committee ... ... ... ... 2 Petitions held over by request ... ... ... ... ... I Petitions held over, not having been returned from the Department to which they were sent for report ... ... .. ... ... 2 2nd November, 1920. J. McC. Dickson, Chairman.

Approximate Cost of Paper —Preparation, not given; printing (450 copies), £9.

Authority : Marcus F. Marks, Government Printer, Wellington.—l92o.

Price 6d.]