THE HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1263, 19 October 1911, Page 6

THE HOUSE.

OHAKUNE BOROUGH. " KEPT UPON A STRING.'' LOAN BILL AND PUBLIC WORKS. Tho Douse met at 2.30 p.m. Mr. JENNINGS complained, in a question addressed to tho Minister for Internal Affaire, that tho desire of over ono thousand people to have a borough constituted at Ohukune had been needlessly staved oil', though the only objection to this course had come from members of a land syndicate, sonic of whom resided in Wellington. He was not going to allow liis constituents to be humbugged by any Minister of the Crown.

Sir Joseph WARD pointed out that the hon. gentleman was going beyond a question, and said that if ho was going to' make statements about being humbugged, a general discussion would have to take place. * The Hon. D. BUDDO stated that about twelve months ago tho residents of the town district of Ohaknno had asked that it should bo declared a borough. On finding that a portion of tho area affected had no buildings upon it, he had declined to includo it in a borough. Tho original petition had been reported upon adversely by a commission, and subsequent proceedings had reference to a contracted area. Thero had been no delay. When a reply had been received in regard to the new proposal, the matter would bo gono on with. Mr. JENNINGS averred that information ho had received from tho. district showed that there had been delay by tho Department. Although an agreement had been arrived at. the people interested were being kept unnn a string. The Hon. D. BUDDO stated that, if the Department had not yet sent out particulars of the new proposals it was because maps had not yet been prepared. Ho indicated that this would be' done almost immediately. ELECTORAL ROLLS. ' MR. MASSEY ASKS A QUESTION. Mr. MASSEY stated in Parliament yesterday that ho had received a telegram from a gentleman in Christchnrch who was at one timo a member of this House ' 1 • Mr. Russell: No fear! Yon have got hold of tho wrong sow by the ear this timo!

' Mr. Massey continued that tho telegram protested that an attempt was- ' being made by tho Government to retain 1000 mimes on eaoli electoral roll improperly, as .a result of tho bungle over the electoral ooiistis. Hie telegram concluded: "Bolls a positivo danger, door wide open for impersonation." Mr. Massey asked the I'rimo Minister whether this fitatemeiit was approximately, correct, and, if -so, what stejK were being taken to remedy the position. He also asked what was the position of tho electoral rolls generally. Sir. Joseph WARD stated, in reply, tliat the telegram received was from the Rev. Mr. Gray, who had been absent from tho country for romo time, and had just returned. " Similar telegrams bad been rccoived by himself and other members.' Tho' position was that, to meet the difficulty which had arisen in connection witli tlio non-return of census papers, instructions bad .. been given to include tho names of all to whom census papers had been sent. But tbe registrars bad been instructed to delete all names of those who had no right to be kept on. Mr. Gray's statement protesting against tbe Government putting a thousand people on the roll in each electorate who had no right to bn there was absolutely contrary to fact. Definite instructions had been given that everybody who ought to fo -nil thu Toll should bo put off by the registrar. There would not be an excess number upon anv of the rolls. Mr. W. C. BUCHANAN (Wairarapa) asked whether tho_ Prime. Minister's instructions wore being carried out. Sir Joseph WART) said he would look into the matter. He had ho doubt that tbe rolls would be all right.

Mr. L. M. ISITT (Christchnrch North) expressed the opinion that tho difficulties tlint had now arisen were largely due to the obtuseness of tho registrars. Ho mentioned one instance in which the names of persons whom the registrar knew were, dead had been restored to the rolls. Mr. Gray's telegram suggested that the registrars wero still dubious as to what they shoukl do. Sir Joseph Ward. 1 shall sos that the instructions aro made perfectly clear to them. CAPTAIN COOK MEMORIAL. ■ Sir' Joseph Ward, answering a question by Mr. J. Duncan, said that there had been a vote on the Estimates at one time for tbe purpose of a Captain Cook memorial. He would look into the matter before bringing down tho Supplementary Estimates.

Mr. J. DUNCAN said the vote was . .£IOO, and • that was two years iago. II was not-repeated last year. He hoped | the Primo Minister would see hi 3 way to propose a J! for J! subsidy. Mr. JENNINGS strongly supported tho 1 request, but thought that thoro wlere ! other men connected with tho early his- ■ tor.v of New Zealand who deserved to bty 1 similarly honoured, such as the late Mr. , John VVilliamson, the first Provincial 1 Superintendent of Auckland, and founder j of the closo settlement system, and the 1 late Mr. MacandTew, Superintendent of ' Otago. The PRIME MINISTER said the vote ; of two years ago was au initial vote only. The Government would bo willing to 1 give a £ for £ subsidy up to a reasonable amount. If the public subscriptions amounted to .£3OO or .£IOO tho Government would be prepared to give =£ for ,£. THE SESSION. Mr. MYERS asked when the Premier proposed to give a morning for local Bills. Tho PRIME MINISTER said that if it wero neco3sary to sit next week he would not ask tho House to sit on mornings this week. To Mr. Massey, he stated that if it were necessary to sit next week, he did not think it would be necessary to sit on Saturday next.

APPEALS BY TEACHERS. Mr. CLARK afked whether,, an amendment to the Education Act, giving teachers the right of appeal against transfers, would bo introduced that session, as promised by tho .Minister when the Estimates were going through'. The PRIME MINISTER replied that tho question was a difficult one, and, despite tho promise given, ho did not think it would bo possible to legislate", upon it that session. :" GAMING BILL. Mr. JENNINGS complained- -that his Gaming Amendment Bill had been put low down on tho order paper, and asked whether an opportunity would "be given of dealing with it. , The I'liEMlEft replied that ho would keep his promise .to givo the Ilonso an opportunity to consider tho Bill if tho former Commission were not 'able to givo effeot to what had been suggested. Ho was still awaiting a communication from the chairman of tho former Commission. Mr. JENNINGS said that tho chairman must surely be in India or samowhero equally distant. Thr-'o delays were not conducive to tho good temper _of the House. MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS, The Municipal Corporations . Amendment BUI (Mr. Buddo) was read 1 first time. PUELIC SERVICE CLASSIFICATION.! The PRIME MINISTER, intimated that lie would ask leavo to introduce the Public Service Classification and Superannuation Amendment Bill. QUESTIONS AND REPLIES. NEW PARLIAMENT BUILD [NGS. The PKIME .MINISTER stated in reply to Mr. Poland that the Government would be onlv too glad to have .an expression of opinion from, tho members of Parliament in regard to the plans for tho new Parliament Buildings, but it would be recognised that in practice considerable ditlicultics existed, and the responsibility tor

the final selection must devolve upon tho Government. Aged Civil Servants. ill-. IIERD.MAN asked tho Prime Minister, why ollicers who have reached tho ago of sixty-live years and over, and who are entitled to superannuation, have not been retired from tiie public f-emco? Sir J. U. WARD replied: "I shall bo glad if the honourable gentleman will name the officers referred to, so that any special circumstances may be stated. As a general principle officers arc not kept beyond the age mentioned, but there are exceptions where in the interests of tho country on officer innv bo retained beyond the retiring age. There is nothing in tho law that makes it. mandatory that this may not be done." Not to be Reopened. Jlr. HERMAN asked the Minister for Lands, whether, in view of tho fact that the petition of Hugh M'Lean, favourably reported upon by the Lands Committee, was erroneously referred to tho Education Department for information, he will causo tho petition and the Lands Committee's finding thereon to be transmitted to tho Lands Department for a report? Sir .T. G. WAIfD replied that tho Government had no intention of reopening tho caso this session. Licensing Law. Mr. ALLEN asked the Prime Minister whether ho,intends to introduce legislation this session to meet the difficulty which nrisas when, after the alteration of the electoral boundaries, a.n area containing a licen-ed publichouse is p!acc<l within a no-license district? Sir Joseph WARD replied that tho matter presented many complications, and was now being carefully considered. Riflo Clubs. Sir J. G. "WART) raid, in reply to Mr. Bnchannn: "(1) Tho supply of rifles to riflo clubs has been temporarily suspended, pending 'lie arming of the territorial force. Fresh supplies have, however, been ordered and on receipt of these the rifle clubs will be duly provided foT. (2) The course of musketry laid down by tho Dopartment requires the service rifle to l>e used; this also applies to tho Dominion Rifle Association meeting. (3) Immediately the territorial forces aro equipped, tho issue of rifles to rifle clnbs will be_ resumed and every consideration be given to the future of the rifle clubs." Commercial Trusts, Mr. HINE asked the Prime Minister: "Whether his attention has been drawn to any evasions of the law under tho Commercial Trusts Act, 1910, or to any combinations operating with the intention of frustrating tho operation of tho raid Act; and, if so, has the Government any intention of remedying this position?" Sir J. G. WARD replied; "My attention has been willed to ono ease, the circumstances connected with which are being inquired into." A Denial. Mr. D. MCLAREN (M.P. for Wellington East) asked the Premier, by means of a question on the order paper of the House; "(1) Whether his attention has been drawn to a statement made by Dr. Newman, in a speech delivered at Kilbirnio on Monday, October 9, of this year, to Hie effect that tho present Ministry had 'squandered money in hiring a whole ship to come from England in'; a.nd (2) will the Prime Minister say whether a ship was so Tiired' to bring eitlicT himself or any of his colleagues in tho Ministry from England ?"

. Sir Joseph WARD's printed reply as circulated yesterday was: "Dr. Newman's statement is absolutely untrue, and it is to bo regretted that he places himself under such obligations to a distorted imagination for his alleged facts. The slory is ono of those impertinont fabrications which constitute tho chief ?tock-in-trado of many Opposition candidates at tho present time." Railway to Waikanas. Mr. WILFORD asked tho Minister for Public Works whetheT, in relation to the proposed 6urvoy for a railway line to Wailcando via Akatarawa, ho will considor as an additional. argument the fact that the Gear Meat Company killed, approximately, last year 750,000 sheep, while tho Moat Export Company killed a very large number as well, and that the daily, average number of trucks carrying sheep in tho busy srason to these companies via Paokakariki is no less than 2-50? Ho notes that, as a result of these conditions, tho yards in Wellington are daily in a congested state; also, the diversion via Akatara,wa will save expensive haulage over high mountain ranges, and will relieve tho congestion in Wellington. Tho MINISTER replied: "Tho information at present in the possession of the Public' Works Department shows that considerable exploration and surveys have been made in connection with tho pro-

yosed railway from tho Hutt to Waikanae,. via Akntarawa, but so far such explorations do not appear to show any satisfactory route. Further investigations, however, may lead, to better results, as I am informed that a lower saddlo is said to exist between the Hutt Valley and.the West Coast (Manawatu lino)." Light Tramlines. The construction of light tramlines in districts where railways would be too expehsivo to construct was advocated by Mr. Jennings in a question addressed to tho Minister for Public Works. Tho latter replied:—"Tll3 Government is always ready to assist local bodies in giving every facility to consider tho question of electrical or any other method of traction, 'l'he question of subsidising the construction of tramlines to be elec-

trically operated is worthy of consideration, but until the Government dovclops some large forco of hydro-electrical power for transmission to suitable localities it is doubtful whether it would be profitable for local bodies to undertake the construction of small schemes with a view to electric traction 011 light tramways. The matter is, however, receiving the careful consideration of tho Public Works Department." State Laboratory. Asked by Mr. Luke whether ho would direct that the Stato Laboratory -should refuse private work, tho Minister for Internal Affairs stated that such a,refusal would entail inconvenience 011 the public. Last year tho Department collected only .£156 over tho whole Dominion in fees, and thero is 110 prospect of increase. Transfer of Newlands. Answoring Mr. Luke, the Hon. D. Buddo said that it was doubtful if the existing law contained tho necessary provision to give effect to the application of residents of Nowlands, that a portion of tho Johnsonville Town District should be incorporated in the Makara County Council. The difficulty had been noted but there was little prospect of legislative action this session.

Tho Valuation Department. In asking tho,Hon. D. Buddo whether lie approved tho procedure adopted by tho Valuation Department, whero revaluations are asked for, Mr. Wilford cited a case in which the area of a property at Upper Hutt was arbitrarily altered by tho Department from 93 V acres to 114 acres 3 roods, and its valuation considerably lowered—although tho area was increaied—without tho local body being consulted. The MINISTER replied that the usual proocduro hod been followed. Tho increased area in tliis case was duo to river accretion. OTAKI COUNTY BILL. The Otaki County Bill was referred back to tho Local Bills Committeo for further consideration. A COMPANY PROJECT. GUARDIAN, TRUST, AND EXECUTORS. The Guardian, Trust, and Executors Bill came down from tho Legislative Council with amendments. llr. BOLLARD (Eden), who had charge of the Bill, moved that tho House should agree with the amendments made by the Council. Mr. James ALLEN (Bruce) said that he not at all satisfied that the House had dene right in allowing the Bill to pass. The purpose of tho measure was to resuscitate a company which was formed in Duncriin in 18S3, ami became defunct in the same year, and to extend Ihe rights of the company beyond Ihosa conferred by the original legislation.- From the information which had reached hiro

since the Bill was passed by the Houso it appeared that tho company, commencing with a sulKcribed capital of only ■EliOO, did only one piccc of business. It had never paid a registration fee, and was Mutually liable for the annual fees for the wliolo of tho past period. Mr. Allen suggested that consideration of tho amendments should be postponed to enable the two Legislatures to confer on the matter. Mr. ISITT asked tho member for Eden whether this was the company which dealt with an estate in which tho assets were i.'112 and the expenses .£sl? Mr. BOLLARD replied that tho Bill was intended to resuscitate a syndicate, and remove ils offioo to Auckland. Mr. BUCHANAN said he could not claim to have an intimate knowledge, of the Bill, but it had been described to him as a Bill to empower a company to carry on an agency and trustee business on the capital of estates entrusted to it for administration. It would be wrong that the Bill should go through without a proper examination. Sis Joseph WARD suggested to tho member ill charge of the Bill that ho should ask leave to have tho amendments considered . presently. This would givo hon. members who liad spoken time to consider tho Bill, ne knew nothing of it himself. The Bill could then become a first order of Hie day on the morrow. Mr. BOLLARD moved accordingly that consideration of the Bill should be postponed until the following day. Mr. MASSEY remarked that lie knew very little about the Bill, but that it contained one clause which seemed to him to remove all possible objections. It provided that the company should institute proceedings in the Supreme Court to determine whether it had lost its rights, and whether shareholders had lost the capital represented by shares; if tho questions were answered in tho negative, this Act and the preceding Act were to be repealed. If the Bill passed into law, the company had to prove its bona fides in tho Supremo Court. If it failed to do this it ceased to exist. The amendment was agreed to.

OBITUARY. The PRIME MINISTER moved that the House rccorel its appreciation of the services rendered to New Zealand by the late Mr. .T. S. Shanks, of Southland, a former member of the House, and its sympathy with his relatives. Mr. G. ANDERSON (Mntaura) seconeled the motion, and described the deceased gentleman's Parliamentary career. It was only right, ho said, that Parliament should honour the memory of pioneers who had played an important part in assisting to reclaim the wilderness which had afterwards developed into prosperous settlements. Tho motion was agreed to. A similar motion was jassed on the motion of the Prime Minister in reference to tlio late Mr. A. S. Collins, of Nelson, also a former member. Mr. MASSEY, who seconded tho motion, remarked that tho late Mr. Collins had been a legislator and pioneer long before his time. Hut even to tho present generation. .Mr. Collins was known as a man who had dono his duly well in loth capacities. j LOCAL ELECTIONS. The Hon. D. BUDDO moved tho second reading of the Local Elections and Rolls Amendment Bill. He explained that its purpose was to determine the rights of electors arriving late at tho polling place, to record their votes provided tliny had entered tho booth befoTo it was closed.

Mr. W. F. MASSEY (Leader of tho Opposition) said there could be no objection to tho proposal. He sureestod that a single method of marking ballotpapers should bo adopted for all elections. In his oninion the preferential voting svstem should be adopted for local elections, with a view to its adoption for L'arliamentarv elections. Mr. "W. i'RAKER (Wakatipu) said the Bill should contain a provision that only those electors who were in tho polling place when it was closed should bo allowed to vote. Th« PRIME MINISTER crave an assurance that this was the effect and the purpose of ,the,-,Bill. The legislation would not permit electors arriving after the closing of the noli to obtain ballotnaners. Answering Mr. Eraser, tho Prime Minister said ho believed the method of voting by means of a cross was the best but ho "did not think it necessary to introduce any ehnnoo the n«m\ent. The Hon. "0. BUDDO ntrreed with other members [hot it would bn unwise to alter the method of vHinir at this juncture. The second reading was agreed to on the voices. WORKERS' COMPENSATION. INCLUDING DOMESTIC SERVANTS. Tho Hon. J. A. MILLAR moved that tho Workers' Compensation Amendment Bill should be committed. Ho explained that it amended tho existing provision in regard to dependents. One clause mado it clear that a woman entitled to alimony from her husband under a separation order would bo entitled to compensation under tho Workers' Compensation Act at his death. Section five entitled tho dependents of an injured or deceased worker to compensation even though tho accident wliich caused his injury was due to his own wilful neglect or misconduct. Another provision ensnred that tho full amount legally due should bo paid by insurance companies to thoso entitled to compensation. It was further provided that pormannnt disablement of any limb or member should bo treated as total loss. Ho did not think that these amendments to the law need induce any great increase in premiums. The PRIME MINISTER stated that, in Committee, the Minister for Labour would move to include domestic servants among those covered by tho term "worker." It might bo objected that this would entail a heavy expense on employers of servants, but tho cost in respect of each servant need not exceed ten shillings a year. Sir. L. M. ISITT thanked tlio Prime Minister for accepting liis suggestion to bring domestic servants under tho operation of the Act.

Mr. J. P. LUKE commended the Bill, and said that in his view Section 5 was the only one that could possibly bo regarded "as opon to question. This clause left tho employer liable, though an accident had been caused by the misconduct "or neglect of an employee. Since very few cases were contested on this ground, tho amendment might very well be allowed to pass. Mr. POLAND contended that tho dependents of workers killed in New Zealand should be entitled to compensation, though they were not resident in New | Zealand. This country should not wait I until other countries made a reciprocal agreement covering this matter, but should lead the way. . At present workers received no compensation for accident unless they were laid up for seven days, which was palpably unjust. Mr. Poland urged that the whole of tho accident insurance business should bo conducted by the State, to tho exclusion of privnto companies. Mr. D. M'LAREX said he welcomed the Bill, but agreed with tho previous speaker that a good deal remained to be dono. lie hailed with satisfaction that, the benefits, of the Act were to be extended to domestic servants and supported the reciprocity proposal. The MINISTER, replying in the debate, said t'hat if the liability to pay niedical expenses undor Clauso 2 were extended to accidents which disabled Iho worker for less than seven days, tho insurance premiums, according to cvidenco given before the Labour Bills Committee, would go up 250 per cent. In that case the small employers would give up insuring altogether. He was acting in the in-

tcrcsts of tho workers in resisting this demand. Ninety per cent of tho accidents to workers in New Zealand laid the workers asido for less than seven days. Tho payments contemplated in the clause would mean ,£IOOO a year, being paid out by tho Government Insuranco Department., and some of tho big companies would havo to pay out ,£to,ooo in this way. The motion for committal of tho Bill was carried. ORDER OF BUSINESS. A proposal by tho Primo Minister to postpone the motion for committal of the Arbitration Bill in order to take tho Loan Bill, tho Public Works debate, and the Public Works Estimates was strongly opposed by Mr. Massey who declared that these matters usually provided almost tho biggest day's work of the session. Eventually the second reading of the Loan Bill was taken, and tho Primp Minister intimated that the debate on the Public Works Statement should be taken v.ith it. and tho Estimates to-day. lfo also said, in reply to Mr. Mastey, that he

was anxious to find an opportunity for discussion of tho report on the Mokau transactions.