WORK OF THE SESSION

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 959, 28 October 1910, Page 5

WORK OF THE SESSION

THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMME. FORTY BILLS. LAND, LIQUOR, MB GAMING BILLS INCLUDED. SBVERA-L FRESH MEASURES. Wiren tho House of Representatives was considering a proposal by the Government yesterday, tliat tho House eiionld for the remainder of the session sit on [Mondays from 2.30 p.m., tlie Primo Minister, in. response to a suggestion by ;Mr. Massoy ami other members of tho jOpjosition, gave an outline of tho Bills ■which it was intended to pass, the list comprising no fewer than forty measures, ihreliKling tho Land Bill, Licensing Bill, Gaming Bill, and National' Annuities Bill. . Mr. Massoy, Leader of the Opposition, said tho House , should not agree to sit earlier thaa 7.30 p.m. on. Mondays. At that stago of tho session the Prime Minister should make a statement .as to the programme which it was intended to put through before tho session ended. It was, he' Continued, usual to go through the ceremony known as "slaughtering tho innocents" when it was proposed to stake Mondays.for sitting days. Should the House - Sit on Mondays? It -was a somewhat serious .proposal to ask members to sit on five days a week under tho existing circumstances. During tho past three months sickness had been prevalent among membeiß, and a doctor ' had informed him that ■it was due in most instances to the atmospheric conditions of the Chamber. If it were decided not to sit after one o'clock every morning, it would not lengthen the session in the slightest degree. Members had , a lot of work to do apart ,£n>m consideration of measures. Tie Prime Minister should also tell the Houeo when the Public Works Statement would be brdnghi down. It was usual for the ifirst Monday to bo devoted to the consideration of local Bills. He would move as an amendment that the hour, of ■ sitting on Mondays be 7.30 p.m., instead *f 2.30 .p.m. . . . ■■•■ . Mr. Alien (Brnco) referred to the large amount of Committee wort which I nieinbDrs % had to transact in addition to thoir clerical work and the tamo which was . necessary for tho consideration of Bills. .•■■.• ;.'.| ; My, Henjes , (TauTanga) Baid that he Was opposed to tho taking of-Mondays at that carry, stage of the session. (Laughter.) Thoro was a" good session's work befoie members in the Land Bill, Liquor Blfl, Gaining Bill, National Annuities Bill, LcgislatuM Bills, and other. Bills which had , been promised but bpd 'not yet been brought down; Among the Bills,which had not yet been seen was tho Local Government Bill, which in itself , would take three or four weeks. The Prime Minister was almost trifling with the House in asking the House to sit on Mondays about the middle of the session. (Laughter.) Arrangements had to bb made in regard to the Conference of, Brenriers at Horn© next year. . . . Work for Four or Fiv* Weeks. : As far as ho could see, there was work for at; least .four .or ftvo .weeks.' If; the House was. 1 to continue in/session for tho time he had indicated, members should ;havo a certain time for renovation and iTceuporntion, especially in view of the unwholesome atmosphere of tho Chamber. • Mr. T. E.' Taylor (Christchurch. , North) said ho would vote £or the motion. It was a pity the House did not follow the House of Commons rule.. The House of Commons met in the.morning and rose at a definite hoTOF—U p.mi he thought. It sat continuously, and members got Uieii meals at Bellamy's when ■ they lilted. It was not the. day. work that knocked out members,'.bat'.the late hours, and the irregular times at which the Houso rose. Ho hoped that next session ■the House; wc/uld be , able' to keep better hours.. ■■ ■•.

.:'Sir .Joseph. Ward said that if wo had a system here that would allow the Speaker to say when the .question should bo put it would stop the flow, of talk that marred the first ax or seven weeks of the session. ;'. Tho Standing Orders should bo amended to provent the waste of time which ■at present was uncontrollable by anyone.'•: Personally, ho would be very glad if the.House could sit from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with certain days for Committees.' ' One',practice ho. particularly deprecated was talking on a Bill when it was introduced, and before. members knew: what it contained. ■ ■■■'.•',■. '■■•'■• , Free Speech. ! ;■. i . ■Mr. Massey: I. believe in free, speech. Sir Joseph Ward: So do -J, but you can abuse jt. : ' . ~-:.- ■, Continuing, Sir Joseph said he should not object to Standing 'Orders making the House, rise at 11 every night ■ :.Mr. Massey: Prom 2.30 to 12 would do 'Very-'well., '■'.•■.' .;."'•'•■■.■ Sir.Joseph: I would not object,to that if ,wo had Standing Orders to prevent discursivo speeches.: ... Mr. T. E, Taylor: Fix the hour of 'dosing, and that will stop it. : '.*:.- Sir Joseph: If, we., fixed, the: hour of closing without amending the Standing Orders that would make things worse. He hoped that the House would not agree to the amendment. If his proposal were adopted, tho session would end in three weeks, or, if the House applied itself, in two weoks. ■ ' •'•'■. •■■' .

Members: Within three weeks! (Laughter.). . ■■"''.■ . " .

Continuing, Sir Joseph said that the time had not arrived when the slaughter of"vthe innocents , should take place. Earlier in tho session he had intimated that the Local Government Bill would not be gone on with this session. This measure was at. present receiving the closest attention, of the Government, It would be found to be very far-reaching in its effects. If it could not be''brought down before the end of the session he would see that it was- circulated 'soon after the session ended. There would bo nothing lost, as the Bill could not' bo considered this session. .Mr. T. E. Taylor:-Do yon stUl intend to throw the cost of education on ' the local bodies? Sir Joseph: You had better wait till tho Bui is brought down. Mr. Witty.: Will you sond copke to the .local bodies , ? •..':' • -Sir Joseph: Yes. (Hear, hoars.) Measures to be Considered. . -■; ; The Prime Minister said that the Bills which it was proposed to go on with were in tlio hands. of members. Mr. Massey: Are no more Bills coming down? Sir Joseph: Yes, there are some more. Continuing, Sir Joseph sai3 that members would have no reason for saying that they had not sufficient thno to understand the Bills. It was proposed to go on with the following Bills:— Animals' Protection Amendment Bill, Tarnnaki Scholarships Amendment Bill, Kaiapoi Reserve Bill, River Boards .Amendment Bill, Opium Amendment Bill, Inspection of Machinery Amendment Bill, Harbours Amendment Bill (No. 2), Kauri G«m Industry Amendment , . Bill, Municipal Corporations' Amendment Bill, Local Bodies' Loans Amendment Bill (No. 2), Destitute Persons' Bill, National Provident Fund Bill, Judicature Amendment >Bill, Legislature '-Amendment Bill (No. 2), Licensing Amendment Bill, Education Reserves Amendment Bill, Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Amendment Bill, Land Laws Amendment Bill, 'Companies Amendment Bill, Rating Act Amendment Bill, Agricultural a.nd Pastoral Societies Amendment Bin, Crown Suits Amendment Bill, Tainri Lnml Drainage Bill. Libel BUI Promised. Qontiiming, Sir Joseph said that.in addition .there was a Libel Bill Mr. Mossev : Do you propose to adjourn fot tho Christinas holidays? (LaughW.) Sir Josoph: Why, most of the measures could bo put through in a couplo of days. (Oh'e.) Mr. Massoy: Especially tho Land Bill! Sir Joseph: I exempt from that observation the National Annuities Bill, tho Licensing Bill, and the Land Bill.

Mt. T. B. Taylor: Is the Libel Bill printed ? Sir Joseph: Yes, and I propoee to ask i-lmt U be .Dcuwd.

Hi , . Poland: What about the Mining Amendment Bill end the Coal Mines Amendment Bill? Sir Joseph: They will bo proceeded, with. Mr. G. JL Thomson:: 'TOtat-about fh© Gaining BillP Sir Joseph: It will bo taken. Continuing, Sir Joseph said that ho 'would ask tho Hou.se to hold ovor Hie of the Mental Defectives "Bill. It would all depend upon the pro- ' gress of business. It was also intended to pass a Public Holidays Bill. Then there would bo on amendment to tho Old Ago ;Pensions Act on the lines that he had | 'indicated, to a recent deputation. The Gaining Bill must bo gone oa witli this session,- When it came back from tho committee—and it was a committee of eiperte—its passage through tho House should be easy. Nest there was a BiU dealing wrfcU auctioneers and plumbers and medical practitioners. ■ . A member: All in one? 3>a«ghteu.) Sir Joseph: No, three separate Bills. The Wellington Dock. Eesnmiag, Sir Joseph said that there wonld also be a washing-up Bill,' hi which a lrrunber of important matters w.O(ild be dealt with; This Bill would-be circulated, in plenty of time. The Government was desirous of haring nothing in that Bill which could-'not be-passed in an ordinary Bill.- Ho had -also promised a Bill dealing with the Wellington dock. ' He had promised that the Bill would be brought down, as a Government Bill for the reason, only thai it would bo difficult to enable it to be passed this session as a local BHI. ' . . Mr. Massoy: It is not a- contentious measure. . ' . ■ ■: Sir Josephflt relates to-an agrcemant between the harboor board and the contractor, who liawe mutually agreed that tho work should be stopped. Mr. Witty-. What about the sub-con-toioiars? Sir Joseph: there will be a ckase which was not in the Bill as it came from xhe board maintaini)*; any existing rights, and that was as far as anyone could go. ' ':■"■,-■■ . Mr. T. E. Taylor (Christelrorch North) mentioned that the Premier had promised to make some provision for doing away with the mortgage • indemnity insurance tax. ~ ... ' Sir Joseph: I iriU.fook into ihe-matter, and probably make a statement to the House later. ' ' ' v. ■ . Sir William Steward asked whether it was in-tended to proceed with the fbUottiflg Bifls-.-Beefroot Sugar Bill, Harbours Amendment BUI, Standing Orders Committee, and Public Bevanues Bill. Beet Sugar Bill to be Deferred. Tho Prime Minister replied that it was intended to go on w-ifch the Public- Revenues Bill. As regards the Beetroot Sugar Bill ho would ask the House to leave it over this sesaon. It was intended _to .put on the Sopplomeniary Estimates an item 'of ,£IOOO to enablis expert inquiry to bo made in the matter for the consideration of the House, next session. The ; report of fchs Standing Orders-Committee would be considered. Mr. Malcolm: What about a Noxious Weeds Biil?

Sir Joseph: There will be «uch a BiiL v Mr. Nosworthy- Do you intend to keep ,us heTe tin all th-j measures are.passed? Sir Joseph said that he would ask the reasonable co-operation of membeis. , . -He and his colleagues wouid help, the House ,to get the whole of tbo, legielotion tlirough in rea6oiia?)le time..

Mr. Nosworthy: These BiHs are all nailed to tiio mast! ("Oh's" from Cfovernment members and laughter.) Sir Joseph, said .that ho.iras not going to bo bound by any such statement. Hβ had simply given an indication ; of .tthat could put through. In hie opinion, the balk could be put through in a week.- ■ ■, •-- v-. •■!■■ v ...... ■ -j- :-.,. -.■:

Air. Witty: Tlitcc weeks cneh for a couple of'thenu Mr. Ma^sey: Quite. Sit Jofcph:- I don't believe in being stopped by the assumption of difficulties. Lot us try and see how we can get on. Why should we bo deterred?

Mr. Rhodes (Ellesmerc)) wished a dcfinito announcement with reference to the Land Bill and" tho Licensing Bill Sir Joseph: Wo intend to go on with them. , ''

Mr. Poland v(Ohuiemuri) inquired -in regard to a proposed Bill retains to the silting .of. Ohin'emnTi;rivers. ■: Sir Joseph:-It.is coining down.'.'■■-. : Mt. Forbes (HiiTUimi) asked if there would be a Bfll dealing with thb-Coit-terbury pastoral'rune. . ■■'■■■: Sir Joseph:' Yes. . ' ■'•■■■■■': Mr. Davey XChristch«rcli. East): Will there be an amendment to the Dentists Act?. ■ : ■•" "• ' ■' : - Sk Josepii: A Bill will be" circulated beforo long? ■'■ •'• ■ Pnblic ■'..•' Re«arding the Public Works Statement,' Sir Joseph said would probably 'tis brought down on Friday week. .'■ ■He did not think that it ought to be brought dow^ , earlier.- It- might be possible to bring it down on the Thursday,, but then again it might bo deferred , till the following : Tuesday.; : '. '; . . ■ ' Touching upon the local Bills, Sir Joseph remarked that he did not think that they could be taken next %nday. He would give the House a. full opportunity for these Bills to bo considered. Ho could niot, however, name any ;■ particular: Mr. Russell , .. : Wiry.notitake thejn on Saturdays?l- ; ; ... ; - : ;.-: .--. Sir Joseph: I'am anxious to avoid sittings'.on ..that day.v ... '...■.- In oonolusion, Sir Joseph said that he hoped Mr. Speaker wouldK consider the. propriety about the'. middle \of. i\ext week of allowing' Bills • to . be; ■ passed through the whole of their stages at one sitting. He kid never known the rtdo to bo abused, and he, did not intend.to abuse it. .' . ■ .' .■-••■■"' • Mr. Massey. I don't think that should be > necessary this, session. .. • . . .

Plea for Reasonable Discussions. Mr. Fraser '(Wakatipu) said that th&re was no •use taking Mondays on the assumption -that..Parliament would close m a fortnight or. three , weeks. If the Public Works Statement had; been brought down this week'tlifcr© might have been a chance of that, but there was none now.' Ho for one would! not countenance Bills boing rushed through! He would not quietly acquiesce in every Bill the Government cared to bring down. Members were sent to consider measures carefully. Somo of the Bills which had been mentioned would take weeks themselves. Take tho licensing Bill. What hope was there of getting that through in;. reasonable : Sir Joeopli Ward: Oh, I hope to got it Mr. Fraser: It weald take a week, and prbbably not pass then. Mr. Frasor concluded bv saying ho would bo no party to anything that would tend to stop, reasonable debate. _ ■ Mr. P. Lawry (Parndl) said ho had at tho end of overy session consistently opposed taking Mondays. Hβ had never known tho taking of Mondays shorten the session by an hour. If Mondays were to bo taken they should have been taken at the beginning of the session, when the House was fresh. Mr. T. B. Taylor had mado a fuss about tho hours, but ho lengthened the session, by hie fondness) for talking. Ho should learn to talk joss and think more. Ho should loam how to speak, when to speak, and whctt;not to speak.

Against Driving Tactics,

Mr. Lang (Manukau) said tlie Prime Minister had struck two Bills o£F the Order Pnpor, iand added ten to it. H« protested against tho suggestion' that next week the Speaker should exercise his power to allow liille to go through all thoir stages at one sitting. Mr. Okey aeked that the W«st Coast Lenses Bill should be gone on with. The amendment was lost by U votes to 23, and tho motion was agreed to. Replying to Mr. Massoy, tho Prime Minister said ho would not fix a day for tho second reading of tho Lnnd.Bill. It would probably bo some time uost week. He could-not-Bay: definitely what business would bo taken next Momlny. '■