NEWS AND NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 44, 15 November 1907, Page 7

NEWS AND NOTES.

In tho House of Representatives early on Thursday morning, tho Co-operativo Dairy Companies Bill, tho Beer Duty Act Amendment Bill, and the Post Offioo Act Amendment Bill were put through Committee with slight amondmonts.

The only mombers of tho Legislative Council who voted for tho Hon. R. A. Louglman's motion to affirm the principle of compulsory military training were tho Hons. Colonel Feldwick, Captain Baillie, G. J. Smith, and tho. mover. Tho motion was thus defeated by '21 votes to 4. ■ • ■. •

'In carrying his amendment to tho Divorco Bill, making hopeless lunacy a ground of divorce, Mr. Laurenson attained an object which he has in previous sessions repeatedly sought to effect by moans of a special Bill. Tho amendment states: — "Tho following paragraph shall be added to Seotion 22 of tho Divorco and Matrimonial Causos Act, 1004: ' On tho ground that the respondent is a lunatic within the meaning of tho Lunatics Act, 1882, and has been continuously confined as such during seven years or upwards in any asylum, and in the opinion of any'two duly tiualified' medical men, aud tho medical superintendent of tho asylum where the respondent, is confined, is not likely to, recover, and on a certificate being. given by such modical men and superintendent to that offcct. Asylum means any'asylum as defined in the Lunatics Act, 1882. Provided, that no divorce shall be granted under this paragraph if it appears to tho Court that the lunacy of tho respondent is in liny way attributable to tho misconduct of the petitioner.' "• Another paragraph provides that tho Public Trustee may act for the respondent to secuio equitable arrangements as to property.

Mr. Ross (Pahiatua) last night, complainod to tho Chairman of Committees (Mr. R. M'Kcnzio) that ho had passed over a member who was on his feet ready to speak, and had called on another member who was sitting down. Tho Chairman declared this a reflection on tho Chair, and demanded tho withdrawal of tho expresion and an apology for its use. "Inasmuch as I had no intention of reflecting on the Chair, I have nothing t owithdraw," said Mr. Ross. Tho Chairman again asked hinr to withdraw and apologise. Air. Ross requested the Chairman to name tho words that were objectionable. The Chairman: "I ask you to withdraw." Mr. Ross went on to say that reflection was unintentionnble, and ho asked Mr. M'Kenzie to accept that. "The lion, gentleman must not trifle with the Chair," cried Mr. M'Kcnzio. "He must withdraw and apologise; otherwise I must tako other remedies." Mr. Ross, at the request of a member, said ho would withdraw. Tho Chairman added he must express regret. The Premier intervened and asked Mr. Ross to do as requested by the Chairman. They all had to do it at times, and no indignity was involved. Mr. Ross made a reply which the Chairman said he could not accept. Ho would give one more chance. Mr. Ross: "I am pleased the Chairman gives 'me another chance." He desired in the most unqualified manner to withdraw and to apologise for having made use of any expression of disregard to tho Chair. This was acceptable.