PARLIAMENT.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19161, 18 November 1927, Page 12

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. YESTERDAY'S BUSINESS. (rRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, November 17. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Sir McCombs asked if the Government would introduce legislation to restore to Parliament its authority and prestige by ensuring that its will shall prevail. The Prime Minister replied that he was not aware of any circumstances having arisen that would lead to the supposition that Parliament was not master of its own actions. Amendments made by the Legislature Council in the Shops and Offices Act Amendment Bill were agreed to. The Noxious Weeds Act Amendment Bill was put through Committee and reported with _ amendments. The Bill was read a third time and passed* Child Welfare. In moving the committal of the Child Welfare Act Amendment Bill, Mr Young said various amendments had been made to meet objections raised in different centres. "He thought the measure, which provided for additional supervision and inspection, was now free of anything of a contentious nature. The Prime Minister said good work was being done by the Child 'Welfare Department, development of which must in later years prove of great (value to the country by reducing the proportion of pauperism and wrongdoing. He commended the work being done by the Y.M.C.A. and Big Brother movements in directingg youth into honourable careers. After a brief debate, the Bill was> read a second time. The Bill was reported without amendment, read a third time, and passed. Coal Mines Act Amendment. In moving the committal of the Coal Mines Act Amendment •Bill, Mr Anderson said it provided, inter alia, for the protection of miners' wages, which would be made a first charge on plant, etc. This was a result of a promise made to Kaitangata miners who recently found themseh es in a bad position. Another provision was ventilation throughout all mine workings. Mr H. E. Holland, commenting on the Bill, expressed surprise that the Dobson company had not been prosecuted as reports showed it had not complied with the regulations regarding coal dust. That, however, was a past matter, and he hoped that in future no company would be exempt from prosecution if there should unfortunately arise similar conditions at another mine. The Bill was reported without amendment, read a third time, and passed. New Sills. By Governor-General's message the Public Service Act Amendment Bill, the Railway Act Amendment Bill were introduced, and read a first time. In' connexion with the former Bill the Prime Minister said he would not press the Committee stage until the Public Service Association had had an opportunity of considering the clauses of the Bill. The Prime Minister also stated that the Railway Bill was similar to the P. and T. Bill, and was an endeavour to bring all branches of the public service into line which would be a very good thing. The Railways Bill was then read a second time pro forma, and referred to the Railway Committee. The' House rose at midnight until 2.30 p.m. to-morrow. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (PRESS ASSOCIATION - TILZGRAIf.) WELLINGTON, November 17. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Valuation of Land Amendment Bill was reported by the Lands Committee without amendment, put through the final stages, and passed. The Local Legislation Bill was read a second time, put through its final stages, and passed. As amended by the Local Bills Committee, the Napier Foreshore Bill and the Newmarket Borough Council Vesting and Empowering Bill were each read a second time. The Council adjourned at 4.50 p.m. until to-morrow.