THE HOUSE

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 867, 13 July 1910, Page 8

THE HOUSE

NEW BILLS. When the House lesumed yesterday afternoon the following. Bills were read a first time:—Town Boards Amendment Bill.(Hon. D. Buddo), Agricultural and Pastoral Societies Amendment Bill (Hon. T. Mackenzie), Paparua CouW Bill (Mr.. Witty),. Coal Mines Act Amendment Bill;(Mr. Colvin).

EXHIBITIONS BILL. At 10.30 p.m.,'-, after the discussionon the-"E. A. Smith" case (reported elsewhere), The Hon. J. A. MILLAR moved the second reading of the Exhibitions, Bill. Ho explained that, its object : was to suspend tho operation of certain pr<>visions of the factories Act, Shops" andOffices Act, Inspection of . 'Machinery Act, .and Arbitration Act, with respect to exhibitions. A. special Act. had been passed for that purpose in regard-to the recent Christchurch Exhibition. The award rates as to. wages would remain in force under-the new,Bill, but the award hours would be suspended! ■ Mr. MASSEY said-the Bill was'another attempt to hand over the powers of Parliament to the Governor-in-Coun-cil. Ho admitted that industrial exhibitions were beneficial, on the whole,, but it had .been customary in the past to introduce a special Bill "when an exhibition was to be held. The Minister should say what exhibition he had in view. ,

Mr. MILLAR, said that Wellington j would have had an exhibition before now,- if such a Bill had been in force, and Auckland was to have one in 1914. Mr...MASSEY said ho wished' both exhibitions success,.' but the proper course was to .introduce a special.Bill for each, exhibition., The Bill would give.excessive powers.to the Govornor-in-Council. He could, for example, temporarily close any road or street, and there was no reference to consultation of a. local authority... The Minister was asking far too much under the Bill. The provision for. suspending the. tariff in regard to articles imported for. exhibition gave powers which. should; belong only, to" the <■ Governor-in-Cduncil. He did not wish to vote .against the Bill on the second reading, but more information should be given. Mr..LUKE .(Wellington Suburbs) referred to the desire to hold an exhibition iii Wellington, and expressed tho hope .that tho Bill would be passed. He agreed/that tho • local authority should bp..consulted as to the closing of streets.' It was impassible, to pass a special Bill for., every small exhibition. Clause'""'l' 2 " should be altered to allow profits to lie employed as the local authority mignt determine, instead of being paid into the public .account. He could not see why the Government should collar tho possible profits of a Wellington exhibition. ■',•■-,'

Mr. M'LAREN (Wellington East) approved the general purpose of the Bill, hut thought that certain clauses should, bo very carefully considered. . He thought the Bill should he referred to the Labour, Bills Committee, so that the workers concerned, might have an opportunity of making' representations on some points. He did not agree with' an absolute 'annulment of workers'rights during an exhibition. Three industrial unions, in Wellington had passed, resolutions adverse to the suspensory clause. He thought.-that as thesoexhibitions were built up by, Parliament and the general public the proceeds should go into a public fund. Mr. FIELD (Otaki). thought ihat it was desirable to have . one governing statute for exhibitions. The proposed' powers of suspension were the same as those passed for the Cliristchurch.Exhibition, when no complaints were made by workers. ....■..'■■

Mr. ANDERSON (Mataura) protested against the powers given ;to the Gdv-ernor-in-Gouricil. • - - , i

Mr. GUTHRIE (Oroua) expressed general-approval of the Bill. . . -'

- The MINISTER, (in reply) said that the Bill was needed specially for_ local exhibitions. It was' not at present proposed to. hold another international exhibition. Nothingfurther, was liow being asked than had previously been granted. It was'not considered necessary to send the Bill to the Labour Bills Committee. So long-as the workers would agree to the suspension ■of the various indusstatutes, he'would agree to modifications, to suit the Labour view. The second reading was then agreed to, and the House at this stage (11.35) adjourned. '