IN PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1204, 12 August 1911, Page 5

IN PARLIAMENT.

DAILY SUMMARY. POWERS OF THE MINISTERS. Civil Service reform and town planning wore the subjects formally before the House during most of yesterday's sitting, but one theme—tho powors of Cabinet Ministers—ran through both discussions. Tho Hon. T. Mackenzie, at the afternoon sitting, resumed the debate on Mr. Herdman's motion for leavo to introduce the Civil Service Reform Bill. By way of showing that the Civil Service is already properly controlled, tho Minister named and oulogised a number of highlyplaced Civil Servants. As a further support to his case ho said that tho Ministers appointed psopU in necessitous circumstances to positions in the Pub'ic Service without inquiring as to their political views. After a few more Ministerialists had spoken in support of the Government's resistanco to tho reform proposal, Mr. Herdman replied, and the motion was put. The first reading was carried on the voices, though there were quite a number of "Noes" from tho Ministerial benches. \ Tho fabling of the Regulations made by tho Governor-in-C'ouneil under tho Defence Act occasioned a few remarks, which showed that members like Mr. Allen and Mr. Fisher regard them as calling for very careful examination. tho evening the House considered the Town-Planning Bill in Connnittea, and had incidentally a few lively moments, while Mr. Fisher baited the Minister for Public Works on his treatment of th-s Acting-Mayor of Wellington. Tho Minister gave his version of the story, and Mr. Luko replied with some plain speaking about tho/'confidential" copy of tramway regulations. ,Tho Chairman (Mr. Colvin) ruled further references to what ho called "the Smith incident" out of order, and had great difficulty in securing the obedience of Mr. M'Kenzie to his

ruling.- .' . Apart from this by-play, tho main incident of the proceedings was a fight over tho powers to be given.to the Governor-in-Conncil.' The protests camo from every part of the House. "I stand here for local self-government," said. Mr. & W. Russell from the Government side, "and I 'consider, it is absolutely shocking that our-powers are to be taken away from ns and. .exercised by a Minister of tho Crown."- Mr. Herdman, from the other side, declared: "Tlie people of this country are sick and tired of Government by Order-in-Conncil." Mr. Davey, from his scat behind tho Minister, pleaded _ with him to'be content with the supervision of a properly ■ constituted' town-planning board, and almost the only thoroughgoing supporter of Mr. Fowlds's centralising idea was the faithful adherent, tho Government Whip, Mr. Ell. The Minister's main lines of defence were that schemes involving two or moro local bodies necessitated a superior authority; and that the' local authorities stood for ratepayers' interests, whereas tho Ministers of tho Crown represented the people as a whole, were responsiblo to Parliament, and would bo sure to exercise the powers of the Goyernor-in-Council with wisdom and restraint. His repeated asseverations that no interference with local government was intended did not seem to carry conviction to members. At last, tho question of the powers of the Governor-ia-Council came to a vote, and tho Minister was defeated. An aiinendmcnt, moved by Mr. Anderson, was carried by '3-1 'to' 29.'- .'This did away with the obligation of tho Town-Planning Board- to report new schemes for tho approval or otherwise of tho Governor-in-.Council. . Mr. Fowlds accepted the reverse, and after consenting to the elimination of tho Governor-in-Council "from subsjquent clauses, moved to Teport progress With a view to tho partial redrafting of tho Bill in accordance with the amendments. The Town-Planning Board, as part of the scheme, and the necessity for some 6uch body, is generally concoded by the House. The clause defining its constitution has not yet been reached in Committee, and it is understood that the- Minister will not modify his original intention aa to the personnel of the board.