PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 37, 13 September 1900, Page 2

PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

(From our special correspondent.)

In replying to questions in the House on Tuesday afternoon the Ministers said : The Government will, in making appointments to the Volunteer and Defence department, see that they are filled by suitable applicants from the New Zealand contingents now serving in South Africa, bolieving thit they would make the best officers. — The matter of opening State coal mines, so that the output may be increased, was under consideration of the Government ; but the subject was a large one, and would require to be considered carefully. — Everything possible is being done to classify prisoners in gaols At present young offenders and first convicted prisoners are not allowed to mix with hardened men. As to people suffering from drink, the hospitals were the proper place for such cases, and representations had been made to the hospital authorities on the subject.

In the evening the House went into Committee of Supply on the Estimates. The item ' Legislative Council, £1870,' gave members the opportunity of ventilating their opinions on every conceivable subject, from the treatment of back-block settlers by ,the clerks in the Lands Department to Federation. The item was eventually passed.

The disenssion on the General Estimates was continued until half-past three in the morning, when the House rose.

On Wednesday afternoon the Premier introduced the Industrial Schools Act Extension to Private Institutions Bill. Mr. Seddon explained that it applied to all private schools. Power was given to the Government to take over the management of industrial schools, to appoint visitors to such schools. If any institution was not complying with the conditions imposed that would be considered sufficient authority for not sending children thereto. An opportunity would be given to discuss the qupstion of private industrial institutions upon the second reading of the bill.

The Minister of Lands moved that a select committee be appointed to inquire into the question of meat freezing, manufacturing, and exporting, and the purchase of sheep and cattle, to examine into the affairs of companies carrying on such businesses as to their profit, and as to whether there had been compacts as between the said companies to the prejudice of breeders and farmers. The debate on the motion was interrupted by the dinner adjournment.

In the evening the House considered the Sale by Mortgages Bill in Committee, but there not being a quorum present at half past 10 the Speaker declared that Members might go home.

The House spent the best part of Thursday on a useless discussion as to whether the Carterton Waterworks Bill should be referred back to the Local Bills Committee.

The evening sitting was devoted to consideration of the Public Health Bill in Committee. According to an amendment added to Clause 3S two or more local bodies may combine to provide a sanatorium for consumptives.

On Friday afternoon a report was received from the Stock Committee recommending that the llabbit Nuisance Act Amendment Hill be struck out. Several members protested, and suggested that the llabbit department thould be abolished. The Minister for Land-, 1a replying, said that rabbits were materially on the increase or late years. He considered that a great deal of the dissatisfaction with the llabbit Act arose through want of tact on the part of the inspectors. Still the Act was necessary, as was evidenced by the fact that a great deal of Crown lands had been rendered useless by the pest. It was his intention to give the Act another trial under amended regulations as to poisoning and inspection.

In the evening the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act Amendment Bill was taken in Committee. An amendment, moved by Mr. Herries, to the effect that the measure should apply to any Government worker where it does not iuvolve an increase in appropriation, was carried by a small majority in opposition to the wish ot' the Government.