PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1240, 23 September 1911, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

THE COUNCIL. DEGREES IN DIVINITY, PRIVATE BILL TO BE INTRODUCED, MENTAL DEFECTIVES. Tlio Legislative Council met at 2.30 festerday afternoon. The Sir Donald Mac Lean Memorial Park Bill, Wanganui Harbour Board Vesting Bill.'Oamaru Municipal Exchange and Market Reserves Leasing Bill, and tlio Greytown Town Loads and Hospital Lands Exchange Bills were received from tho House of Representatives, and were read a first time, and referred to various committees. The Hon. Sir OK M. O'RORKE (Auckland) asked the Attorney-General whether it is tho intention of tho Government to comply with the request of tho Senate of the New Zealand University by submitting to Parliament a Bill U) enabie the Sena to to grant dojrc«3 in divinity as well as in other subjects recently authorised. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said this question had bean asked on several occasions in recent years. It had been fully considered by the Government, and a definite conclusion had been arrived at, that it was not desirable that the legislation asked for should be passed. Although tho Senate asked for tlie legislation by a majority, .they were far from unanimous on the point, Tho Government did not sec its wov to grant the legislation asked for. It had arrived at this conclusion some years ago, and could not eco its way to alter it. The Hon. Sir G. M. O'RORICE gavo notice ot his intention to move for leavo to bring in a Bill to carry out tho wishes of the Senate. i THOSE CORONATION INVITATIONS. Tho Hon. C. H. MILLS (Marlborough) gave notice of his intention to ask the Attorney-General why it was that members of tho Council did not receive from tho Government copies of the invitations received for members to visit the Coronation, and whether copies of the cables and answers in connection with tho invitations will be laid on tho table of tho Council.

MENTAL DEFECTIVES. The Mental Defectives Bill was further considered in Committee. On the motion of the Hon. J. Barr it was decided that in regard to the clause dealing with the procedure, in the case of the reception of minors into an institution, applications must be verified and certified to by two medical practitioners. The amendment was carried on tho casting-vote of tho Chairman of Committees. The Hon. J. RIGG, in order to test the feeling of the Council as to whether private institutions should exist or not,' moved that the first lines of the clause be struck out. Mr. Rigf said- ho would not have anv private institutions at all. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said ho had not heard' anything in the second reading debate that would warrant the abolition of these private institutions. Tho Bill was full of safeguards against abuses. The motion was rejected by >16 to 6. Those who voted in favour of the amendment were tho Hons. J. Rigg, J. T. Paul, J. E. Jenkinson, J. Barr, W. Bcehan, and ,T. M'Gowan. The clause dealing with tho visitations to bo made by an inspector, or official visitor, was enlarged, so that it willappjy to every houso in which a patient is detained, 'as well as to every instituTlie Bill was reported without farther amendment. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES AMENDMENT.' The Friendly Societies' Amendment Bill was put through its Committee stage, and reported with two minor amendments. STONE QUARRIES. The Stone Quarries Amendment Bill was committed, and reported without amendment. The Bill was then read a third time and passed. Tho Council adjourned at 5.15 until Thursday next. ,