HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 36, 6 November 1907, Page 9

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

GAMING AND LOTTERIES BILL. When tho Houso of Representatives met yesterday aftbrndon tho Premier moved tho following:—"That a Select Committee bo appointed, to whom shall be conferred tho Gaming and Lotteries Act Amendment Bill; tho Committee to consist of Messrs. Horries, Ell, Wilford, Poland, Poole, Reid, T. Mackenzie, Davey, Witty, Malcolm, La,wry, and tho mover. This was carried, REMAINING V/ORK OF THE SESSION. STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER. The Premier then mado a statement regarding the business to bo proceeded with during the remainder of the session. Ho said tho.Government proposed to put through the following Bills, which ho described as noncontentious :— Maori Land Claims Adjustment and Laws Amendmont Bill. Ngatimaru Landless Natives Bill—second reading, pro forma. Government Advances to Settlers Bill, Local Bodies Loans Act Amondment Bill — third reading. Hutt Railway and Road Improvement Bill —third reading. Post Office Savings Bank Funds Investment Bill. Bills of Exchange Act Amendment Bill. Agricultural Implemout Manufacture, Importation, and Salo Bill. Polico Offences Bill.

■Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Acts Amendmont Bill.

Marino Insurance Bill. Firo Brigades Bill. Taumarunui Town Council Election Validation Bill.

Scaffolding Inspection Act Amendment Bill. Coal-mines Act Amendment Bill. . Sen Fisheries Bill. Factories Act Amendment Bill. Indictable Offences Summary Jurisdiction Amondment Bill.

In regard to tlio Fire Brigades Hill amendments would bo submitted that would make it almost non-contentious. In rogard to the Gaming and Lotteries Bill, ho hoped tho House would see its way to put it through when it came back from tlio Committoo to which it would bo rcforred. Tho Flour and Other Products Monopoly Prevention Bill wis to bo referred to the Commerce Committoo to be reported upon. Ho said the matter had not been an easy one to deal with. It had boon proposed to adopt a sliding scalo, but on looking into the matter it was found that this would not ho at all times feasible to do. The Harbours Bill would bo referred to a Committee, and would bo allowed to stand ovor till next session. (Hear, hear.) - It was a very important Bill.. Ho would make a statement 111 regard to tho Meikle Acquittal Bill on Wednesday. The Tramways Amendment Bill would bo put down to be gone on with, been use the Government wanted to ascertain further information regarding por-

t-iorts of it. There were a number of gontlemen who ivnntod to make representations against it, and t-lioy should lie hoard. Tho Government proposed to take' up Mr. Flatman's Agricultural Labourers Bill, and to put it through with some amendments. Bills to Come Down. 111 regard to tho Bills yet to be brought down, thero would be amendments to the Education Act and tho Hospitals Act, whicn would bo non-contentious. It was proposed to through the Coldstream Reserve Bill to transfer a reserve in Canterbury to the Governors of Canterbury College. There would bo a slight amendment in tho Public Hoalth Act. Tho Ta>eri_Land Drainago Bill and Rangitatau Block Exchange Bill, both non-contentious, wo".'k! bo put- through, also a slight amendment t -he Dofoneo Act, the Butter Export- Bili, in amendment of tho Divorce Lawsdealir.t; yiib a matter that had engaged public aU&i&ii) lately. The lastnamed should go throngh in the interests of the families concorncd. Tho Railways Classification Bill and tho Pont and Telegraphs Classification Bill would be put through, as thoy wero non-contentious measures. (Hon. members: "What?") In regard to tho Civil Service Superannuation' Bill, which was an important measure, the Government .would refer it to a .Committ-eo to report without delay, because it should be put through. . ft was a difficult matter, but it was ready to bo dealt with. There was a great diversity of opinion in regard to it. Tho Infant Life Protection Bill was non-contentious, and would bo put through. The Industrial Arbitration Bill was contentious, but. after getting it back from tho Committeo, thoy shouM be able to put it througn. An Hon. Member: You're very optimistic. The Premier: There would also bo a Beer Duty Amendment Bill, non-contentious. (Laughter.) It was a measure in regard to depots closp to some of tho boundaries.

Mr. Wilford: I hope you'll adjourn on New Year's Day. (Laughter.) 1 . Tho Premier: There has been nothing so far to kcop us. ■ (Laughter.) Continuing, 110 said thoy would also pass a Packet Licenses Bill, which would- bo non-committal. (Laughter.)

An Hon. Member: Every man in the House- ought to vote for that.

Tho Promier continued that tlierfe would then bo a slight amendment in tho Shops and Offices Bill. -(Laughter.) Hon. members, wore- smiling, but whon thoy saw tho whole of theso Bills ,

Mr. Thomas Mackenzie: They'll cancel all ongagemonts. : Tho Premier: There should bo 110 difficulty, especially if the Speaker will agreo to suspend tho Standing Orders to allow of a Bill's passing through all its stages at ono Bitting. Mr. Roderick M'Kcnzic : You had bettor start next year.

Thon we have a Bill in reference to stamping machines, and the Reserves Vesting and Enabling Bill. By the time that comes hero it should bo non-contentious. Tho Nativo Land Settlement Bill was contentious, but ho hoped that after tho Native Affairs Committee had dealt with it tho.-House would recognise its importance, and put it through. There would also be tho Porangi Landless Natives Bill, and an amendment to tho Co-operative. Dairy Companies Bill. Mr. Witty (sarcastically)-: Is that all? (Laughter.) The' Premier continued that out of tho Bills he had montioncd, only fivo or six could bo called contentious. Theso woro tho Gaming and Lotteries Bill, tho Flour and Other Produc f s Monopolies Prevention Bill, tho Tramways Amendment Bill, tho Nativo Land Bill, and the Arbitration Industrial and Conciliation Act Amendment Bill and the Civil Service Superannuation Bill. . Public Works Statement. Tho Public Works Statement would bo delivered on .Friday night; and 110 thought they should deal with it on tho Monday following. With tho Public Works Statement out of tho way, tho track should bo cleared to, allow the Bills ho bad enumerated- to go through, a,nd -for tho session to end on or about., November 20. Hon. members would agree that this could bo done without giving away any right of discussion. Mr. T.-Mackenzie:'" You had better take Saturdays and Mondays then." • >

A Member: "And Sundays, too." Drawing to a Close.

The /Premier replied that ho' would not take Saturdays and Sundays, though • they might pxtend the Monday sittings. Ho repeated that it should bo possible for the session -to close .011 Wednesday fortnight. 111 reply to Mr. ft. M'Kenzio, 110 said that the Noxious Weeds Bill would keep until next session. (Laughter.) A Mcmbor: What about the Chinese?

The Premier thanked the lion, member tor his reminder. Legislation was to ho. submitted this session, wlicli would givo effect to tho proposal contained in the Governor's Speech—namely, to imposo an educational test, as- well as the poll-tax of £100. Replying to another interjection, tho Premier said that whatever measures come from tho Upper House would bo considered on their merits. As to local and private Bills, provision would be made to deal with them and put them through. Mr. Aitken: AVlien will you tako local Bills? The Premier would not name a day just yet; but a convenient time would suggest itself. The Chinese. Mr. Fisher recalled that a deputation had recently interviewed the Minister for Labour regarding Chinese shopkeepers being able to disposo of certain foods while other shops wore closed. The Ministor had promised to introduce legislation this session to deal with this matter. _ Tho Premier: It will bo dealt tfith in tho Shops and Offices -Bill. Flour in Bond. Mr. Barber referred to tho statoment of tho Premier that the Flour Bill would be referred to the Commorco Committee, and he (Mr. Barber) did not know whether thoy would bo ablo'to deal with it on account of tho work they already had to get through. Ho had'now in his possession a letter to the effect that a number of bakers were keeping a quantity of flour in bond in tho expectation that tho Bill would go through, and in view of a promise of the. Premier that it would contain ;'v proposal tp abolish the duty 011 flour. Tho l'remior said lie had liover mado such a promise as that. He had never said that the duty would bo abolished. Mr. Barber: You said there would bo sh automatic abatement of tho duty. Bakers were retaining their flour in bond in expectation that this abatement would bo made at tho present time. The Premier said that if this risk was taken it was a business matter. It was a mistako to tako anything as implied from a statement in a matter of this sort. Facilitating Passage of Bills. Later the Premier- intimated that lie would ask to have the Standing Orders suspended to allow measures to go through all stages in ono sitting. Mr. J. Allen did not think'Mt fair t-o ask that contentious measures should be dealt with in this way. Tho Premier replied that tho House could roly upon it that the Government would ivit attempt to forco measures through. Every opportunity would be give ( n to discuss important Bills, and tho assurance should bo sullicient. Gaming and Lotteries. The Gaming and Lotteries Act Amendment Bill was read a second time pro forma, ami referred to the Select Committee already set up.

Prevention' of Monopolies. Tho Flour and Other Products Monopoly Prevention Bill was read a second time pro forma, and referred to tho Commerce Committee to report upon. Harbour Bill. The Harbour Bill was read a second time and referred to the following commit-too:— 'i'lio Hon. the Premier, the Hons. ■J. A. Millar and T. Y. Duncan, and Messrs. K. G. A lion, J. Allen, Buddo, Colvin, Graham, Hanan, Horries, Hogim, Jennings. JCidd, Lang, Lauronsnn, Wilford, Wood, and Flat-man. Maori Measures. Tho Maori Land Claims Adjustment and Laws Amendment Bill was road a second

time, and also tho Ngatimaru Landless Natives Bill.

Various Bills. The amendments made in Committee to tho Government. Advances to Settlers' Act Amendment Bill were agreed to, and tho Hill was read a third time. Tho Local Bodies Loans Act Amendment Bill, the Hutt ttaihvay and lload Improvement Bill, and the Post-Office Savings-Bank Funds Investment Bill wore rend a third timo. Bills of Exchange. . 'Tilt; House then went into Committee to deal with the Bills of Exchange Act Amendment Bill. At clauso- 2, which proposes that at the expiration of ten years -a banker may destroy old cheques and bills of exchange in his possession to overcome useless accumulation, Mr. Lang moved to make the period fifteen years. This was lost by 43 to 15. Considerable opposition was shown to clause 3, which proposed to throw responsibility for frauds m tho alteration of cheques on tho drawer, if undue negligence was proved. Tho Premier at length agreed to withdraw the clause. In accordance with a suggestion by Mr. Aitken; the. Premier inserted a new clause, making it permissible f(ir cheques, promissory notes, otc., to be returned to the drawer instead of being destroyed if desired.. The Bill was then reported. Agricultural Implements. The Agricultural Implement Manufacture, Importation and Sale Bill was also . dealt with in Committee. Tho, Bill proposed to extend the present' legislation on the importation of machinery until 1910. ■ An amendment to make the term 1908 was accepted by' the Ministers and carried. Opposition was made to clauso 3, which directs that preference should only bo given to articles manufactured in tho British Islands. It was contended that machinery manufactured in Canada would be prohibited.

The Minister, in reply, said that American manufacturers, when they found themselves debarred from preference, had started manufacturing on the Canadian borders, and had thus overcomo the tariff. A motion to omit tho clause was lost by 44 to 8. Tho Bill, with minor amendments, .was then reported. I A. RKID-4. POLICE OFFENCES BILL. A QUESTION OF NAMES. The Polico Offences Bill was next considered by tho Committee, tho Hon; J. M'Gowan in charge. Mr. Homes wished to know if the clause relating to tho use of tho Governor's namo had boon asked for by tho present Governor or any previous Governor. The Hon. J. M'Gowan' said that if thero was one member that should know the answer to that question it was the member who had asked it. Tho King's namo was not mentioned in the House of Commons, nor tho Governor's namo in this House. . The clauso was adopted by 37 votes to 19. . At Clause 3, which imposes a penalty not exceeding £20 for tho -use, without permission, of, tho name of any person in New Zealand as tho name of an animal, ship, building, .institution, or article of any kind, Mr. . Sidoy moved to exempt the uso of trade-marks registered before September 1, 1007. _ . /. ■ , This was carried on the voices. Names of Horses, Mr. Herries hoped the clause would be thrown out. It would cause much needless annoyance, especially in regard to. tho names of horses. _ _ . . _ . The Minister explained that- in tho case of a number of persons of tho samo name it would be sufficient to get tho consont of one of them. 6

Mr. J. Allen wanted to know whether, in case of twelve persons having the same liamo, anybody who used it without the' permission of any of thorn could be sued, sopiiratesly by; all tlio twelve. He regarded the blauso as absurd.

Mr. Mandcr said a lady would be una bio to" name'her pet dog Carlo. (Laughter.) ' Mr. Witty said the whole thing was simply ridiculous. Anybody would bo unahlo to namo 'anything after anybody else. (Laughter.) Parents would be unahlo to give their children a name that another person had borno before.

Jlr. Hornsby said the whole thing was a farce, and should bo given short shrift. On tho'House resuming'after tho'dinner adjournment, tho Minister agreed to havo the clause'struck out.' '' '

' Clauso 4, which socks to prevent tho circulation for intimidation purposes, of bogus summons forms was agreed to

' Exception was taken by some members ; to Clause 5, which prescribes that titles,' abbreviations, or letters that would wrongfully lead to tho conclusion that tho h6lder or user possossed somo diploma must not he publicly employed. . ' Mr. Tanner' took exception to ■ the subclause relating to tho titlo of "doctor." He said that tho medical profession, headed ,b.v a; gentleman who occupied a very prominent position, led Parliament one session after another, and gave privileges to tho profession tjiat were quito contrary to the desire of tho country.. Ho moved to strike out tho sub-clause.

Mr. Ji Allen moved a previous amendment to strike out certain words in the. clause.

This was lost by 33 to 22. iAnothcr amendment by Mr Allon of a similar nature was also lost; and Clause 5 was adopted by 38 to 30.

Mr. Hnnnn moved to insert a new clauso to prevent the sale of medicines or preparations under fictitious names, whereby tho public would bo led to suppose they wero concocted under the supervision .of a medical practitioner. He said his intention was to prevent imposition. v The Minister would not accept the amendment, which was rejected by 34 to 22. . Tho Bill was then reported. VALIDATION BILL. Tho Supremo Court Practice and Procedure Acts Amoiulmont Bill, which proposes to validate orders mado" by registrars of .tho Supremo Court in certliin cases whereon doubts as to validity aro held, was reported without amendment. MARINE INSURANCE. Consideration was given to the Marino Insurance Bill. This measure, the Minister oxplained, is a purely technical one, promoted to codify the present law. It was reported without amendment and with very little discussion, the Minister having oxplained that with 0110 exception it contained 110 changein tho existing law. Progress was then reported to receivo a message from the Governor. FIRE BRICADES BILL. Amendments regarding the Government's contributions to the Firo Boards wore introduced by Governor's message. The contribution in the case of tho four centres was raised from £150 to £200. In the caso of Wellington an additional sum of £200 was allocated in respect to tho Parliamentary and Government Buildings. Tho House again went into Committee, to consider this Bill. The Minimum Population. Mr. J. Allen moved to reduce tho population necessary to tho constitution of a lire district to 1000 from 5000. Tho Minister in cliargo of the Bill (Hon. J. Carroll) said ho would bo prepared to make the minimum 3000.

Mr. Field moved that two or more contiguous boroughs, with an aggregate population of three thousand or more, should bo Allowed to form a joint fire district. Alter further discussion the Minister agreed to further reduce the minimum to 2000. He opposed any further reduction. The Minister Defeated. On a division, Mr. Field's amendment was carried by 32 to 29. The Minister then moved to report pro-gress-on the Bill, stating that under the circumstances it would bo no use going any further. TAUMARUNUI TOWNSHIP. The Taumarumii Town Council Election Validation Bill (which is to overcomo somo

informality in''rcgSftl t6 ~the'' elect'iiiji""6'f,Qi'fc''" Town Council) was reported'.'" J ' ■ j&'j'- . SC AFF 0 L DIN G. .1N S P!E GTlfl N-J: J•, Tho Scaffolding 'Inspection ''Act \'Ameii(l- : ment Dill was reported witli 1 slight' ajfiShd;' moot. COAL WINES ACT AMENDMENT.' The Coal Mines; Act—Amendment . passed its committee.stages, :: iVild- "was''-'re^ 1 ported. "" •"■"I'" Tho Premier -then -moved to I 'rejjort ■ gross, and the House- adjourned -tail l - miiiuteobeforo midnight'. ... , -w r.*t'