PARLIAMENT.

Clutha Leader, Volume XL, Issue 43, 28 November 1913, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

+ ■»>■■■ ■ LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. .WELLINGTON' Nov. 26. Tha Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m.

Hon. H. D. Bell moved, "That the amendments made in the other House to the Legislature Amendment Bill bo taken into consideration to-morrow."

" Hon. W. C. F. Carncross moved as an amendment, "That to-morrow the Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole to consider th© amendments." The speaker stated that when tlhe Bill left the Council it was harmless and necessary, but on coming back it was a very different measure. It was now loaded with a great constitutional principle. The Government Railways Bill and Mutual Fire Insurance Amendment Bill were read a third time. The Council went into committee on the Post and Telegraph Amendment Bill and progress was reported. The Municipal Borrowings Amendment Bill was considered in committee. Clauses were struck out providing that in tlhe event, of the office of Mayor becoming vacant within a year of the election a successor shall be elected by the electors of the district, but if the office becomes vacant within a year of ( the forthcoming biennial election the Council shall elect another Mayor. A new clause was added providing for annual election by the people. Progress was reported. The Board of Agriculture Bill was read a third time.

Hon. J. Rigg gave notice tlhot he would move, "That the Council disagrees with the amendments made by the other Chamber in the Legislature Amendment Bill." The Council rose at 3.20 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. AMENDMENTS AGREED TO. The amendments made by the Conned in the Local Bodies Loans Bill and Land Drainage Bill were agreed to. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. SHIPPING AND SEAMEN. The Hou?e c:>iisidoed the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Shipping and Seamen's Act Amendment Mr Hindmarsh (Wellington South) protested against striking out the repeal of Clause 203 of tho original Act, thereby relieving shipping companies from liability for low in cases where ships were well found. Mr Nosworthy (Ashbuiton) moved. "That the amendments be disagreed with."

The amendment was carried, and Messrs Hindmarsh ("Wellington South), Leo (Oamaru) and Hon. F. M. B. Fisher (Minister for Marine) wore appointed managers to confer with the Legislative Council. PUBLIC WORKS AMENDMENT.

Hon. W. Eraser (Minister for Public Works) moved the second reading ef the Public Works Act Amentmont, providing for a more elastic method of constituting the Compensation Court under the Public Workj Act. The debate, was adjourned. THE STRIKE.

An Imprest Supply Bill was introduced by Governor's message, when Mr Payne (Grey Lynn) began a justification of the Federation of Labor's connection with the industrial deadlock. Mr Web!> (Grey) claimed that the Social Democratic Party had used every ondoavor in the House to find a solution for the strike but no solution had been found. Instead the gag had been applied by the Government. He. contended that the Federation of Labor was a legally registered hotly not jn the control of foreigners. In deciding not to come under the Arbitration Act they were within their rights, and the employers were taking up an improper position in insisting upon the Arbitration Act or nothing. He advocated an amendment of the Trades Act legalising agreements under that Act as the only possible solution of the trouble, as the Arbitration Act could not be made acceptable by means of bayonets and batons.

Mr Veiteh (Wanganui) argued that it waa the duty of Parliament to step in and settle the dispute between two stubborn parties. He had no faith in the methods of the Federation of Labor. It was impossible to improve the conditions of labor by means of the strike, either sectional or general. He advocated a compulsory conference of the parties which would investigate the facts impartially and fo help the public to come to a more just opinion oi the circumstances leading up to the strike.

The debate was being carried along on uninteresting; lines when the telegraph office closed.

After the telegraph office closed Hon. I'. M. B. Fisher swke on the strike question. He declared that the Federation of Labor intimidated the men from working, He was interrupted throughout his speech, the Speaker warning Mr Payne (Grey Lynn) and threatening his suspension from the sitting, Mr Payne continued interjecting in the way of correcting statements. He stated that Mr Webb (Grey) had saved the country from 200 strikes, The Government members attacked the Federation of Labor as bein» responsible for the strike.

Air Payne again came in, saying thai if the federation machinery had been in operation ..when the trouble occurred the strike could never have eventuatedMr; Campbell (Hawko's Bay) was speaking and hero again Ml- Payne interjected, when the Speaker intervened. Ho stated that he was going to suspend Mr Payne for the balance of the sitting. Now he would name John Payne for disorderly conduct and disobeying the ruling of the Chair." He would ask the Leader of the House to deal with him. Hon. W. F. Massey (Primo Minister) moved his suspension for the remainder of the session and Mr Payne left the Chamber. On Mr Witty (Riccarton) interposing and pleading for leniency eventually Mr Mussey moved to withdraw the motion. Mr Payne reappeared and apologised and the incident closed with the withdrawal of the motion.

Tho Bill, which provided for £986,000, was then passed and the House rose «t 4.15 a.m.