THE COUNCIL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1533, 31 August 1912, Page 6

THE COUNCIL.

THE REFORM BILL. INTERESTING NOTICES OF MOTION. Tho Legislative Council met at 2.30 yesterday afternoon. The Hon. J. D. ORMOND gave notice that, on the motion for tho committal of the Legislative Council Klectious Bill, he .would' movei by way of amendment, that all tho words after "that" be omitted with a view to inserting "tho Council is of opinion that, having affirmed that the constitution of -the Council should be altered'from nomination to election, it is inexpedient to proceed further with the Bill until next session, in order that the electors of the Dominion may bo given the opportunity of considering'the proposals for giving effect to the Bill." The Hon. Sir W. J. STEWARD gave notice of- his intention to move the clauses dealing with deadlock and so on, on the lines of the clauses in the Comraonwealth'.Bill. Tho Hon; ; T. KELLY was given leave to withdraw the motions of which lie had given notice the previous day that the Bill be referred to a Select Committee. . .IMPERIAL TRADE COMMISSION, v MR'. SINCLAIR'S APPOINTMENT. The Hon. H. D. BELL (Leader of the council) remarked that the Hon. J. R. Sinclair, members:.would remember; had been nominated by the lato Government for, a seat on the Imperial Trade Commission in place of Sir Joseph Ward. Tho present Government, he said, had affirmed -the nomination of the previous Government, and had advised his Excellency'tho. Governor to grant Mr. Sinclair leave of-absence for. tho present session. .His Excellency had agreed to this, and forwarded a message to the Council accordingly.".'.", Tho 'Hon. J. E. JENKINSON asked the Leader of the Council if ho was prepared to give tho Council an idea of what irrangements were to be mado in regard to'salary. - i • . - The. Hon. H. D. BELL suggested that ►.he' Questio- might be-.repeated next sitting day.,-.'..He would., like to have the opportunity of consulting the Primo Minister, beforo giving a reply. The Hon. Mr. Jenkinson agreed to this course. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. GOVERNMENT BILL PROMISED. The Hon. W. BEEIIAN moved that the Minister in charge of the Friendly Societies -Department be "requested to take into consideration the advisability of bringing in a Bill-having for its object the subvention of friendly societies in certain cases, and for. purposes consequent thereon or incidental thereto.' Mr. Beehan spoke at some length on tho motion, and pointed out that since 1908 there had been an Act on- the Statute* Book of New South Wales, and it wai conferring great benefits. Tho Mackenzie Government had also proposed to bring in a Bill having similar objects, to the Act of New South, Wales. The Hon. C. H. MILLS seconded tlin motion. ,Hb thoiight. it was. timo tho Government took 'an active step in the above direction; W."l" The Hon. H. D. BELL said the Government not only-had no objection to offer to the motion,--but-was glad it-had been brought forward. ; -It-was tho intention of the Government, although' ho did not say they would do it during tho present <ec=ion, to proceed with a measure coverin^'this matter. If the: Hon. Mr. Beehan would give the Government the information lie*had, every attention would Beehan intimated, that he would be glad, to give any information ho could. CONSTITUTION OF NEW ZEALAND. Tile Hon. T. KELLY gtivo.notice of his intention' to. ask. if. the Government will take into -consideration • the- waUei ot revising and"rejirinting tho Constitution of ,tho ,-Government of Zealand and its amendmentsi

DEPUTY-GOVERNOR'S POWERS. TUo Deputy-Governors Powers Bill was reported from the Statutes Revision Committee, with technical amendments. WORKERS' COMPENSATION. The Hon. J. T. PAUL continued the debate on the second reading of Mr. Bigg's Workers' Compensation Amendment Bill. Mr. Paul declared that the Bill did not touch the difficulties surrounding the working of the Act, though it certainly brought the insurance companies out into the open. He claimed that it was a wise and humane policy to give tlio worker protection, and make such protection a charge upon industry. The present system ivas not fair to the omployee anil it- whs n it. fair lo the master, flu divhivj that tin; accidentinsurance of the country would not be on a satisfactory basis until the whole thing was managed by the State. The Hon. fl. D. BELL (Minister for Internal Affairs) indicated that the Government was not prepared' to launch a State monopoly, and that the State had not the reserve to plungo into such a business. The Government was taking all th 6 business that came its 'way, but a great deal more information would have to.■ be obtained .before .the State could think of embarking on a monopoly of'tho kind suggested.. However, the Bill would be-referred\to the Labour - Bills Committee, aiul.it could bo discussed in its details there. • ■ The Hon.'C. ir. LUKE claimed • that the measure, ivould impose greater hardships on employers, without in any material way benefiting employees. It was his opinion that there would be 110 solution until the Government took the whole business over. If this Bill were passed, the private companies, as suggested by Mr. S. T. George, would at once increase their rates.. Ho would vote for the second reading of the Bill in order that it might be sent to the Labour Bills Committee, but would not vote for the ttird, reading. . ■*, The Hon. J. BIGG, in reply, said that he recognised that the. Bill did not go far enough. The large question was really one for the Government. 'The. second reading of the Bill' was ■ carried on the voices, and the Bill was referred to the Labour Bills Committee. PRISONS AMENDMENT. The Hon. H. D. BELL moved the second reading of the Prisons Amendment Bill, which provides for the taking of finger-prints of accused persons. If tho power asked for were not granted, he said, suspected persons might.'escape identification, or otherwiso be in-'n position of preferring a charge of technical assault. After discussion, the second reading of the Bill was carried 011 the voices. Tho Council adjourned at 4.55 p.m.