SECOND READING DEBATE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1566, 9 October 1912, Page 8

SECOND READING DEBATE.

In 'thei House of .Representatives yesterday afternoon the Hon. "\V. I'rascr stated that Hfiej Public 'Works-Statement would be deliyo'red'-before next week. ' .TKe'P.rimo.'Jiinister gave notice to.move .that on aridtaft'er Monday-next, for the .remainder of'the-session,, the- Housq meet on Mondays at ".30 p.m., for the transaction of Government'business, only. . Next Monday evening, the "Prime Minister ' stated, it was intended- to devote to Local Bills.'. . .•"■ "-- : -'■ . ; ■ . • '. The 'Bills'- were read .a first time •—Native- £and' Amendment Bill- (Mr. Hejriea)V--"-SHea'rjsrs , v 'awl Agricultural J.abbiirers" ■■ Accommodation Amendment Hill'(Mr."Massey) > Pure Water-Supply to ' Flaxmills Bill (Mr/Robertson). On the last-named measure a long discussion arose in'regard to flie accommo- . dation provided r for workers at some of ttie/flaxmills in the Manawatu district. It. -was,'stated that this accommodation waa'in.inany cases insanitary, and Opposition .members, accused the Government of neglect.'in .'failing to rectify ttese condition's. ' ■ . ■ The Prime Minister and other Ministers and'members''vigorously rebutted the '' acensation. They pointed out that;. 01... ... though the Government had been working ■ at,, high 'pressure since-coming into office a Bill had been,prepared, and , had been circulated that day, which would make it possible,,to -'regulate the• residential, con- - ditions pfnaxmi'll workers;- the various Government speakers stressed the fact that ." the conditions complained of had arisen, a'rtd;developed under past "Governments, which roust therefore have been guilty "of- neglect for years." ■ Shortly, before five ..o'clock tlw Prime , Minister moved the : second reading of the Legislative Council Bill. .He spoke only a few-words, remarking that the subject of Legislative-Council, reform" had been ■ fully discussed by the House a few days previously.--.: Opposition members, nevertheless'elected toVcarry.-. on- the discussion until-9 p.nv'"The Prime Minister, in " replying, said that he had never known a worse case of -wasting time.. > A division was challenged by the Oppo- • Eitiou on the motion that the Bill be read a second time, but at-the second call the motion was carried on the voices. The House immediately afterwards went ■ into committee oil half a- dozen Bills. Two' hours "were spent in debate upon ' the Auckland' University College Amend- ' mentßill. An -amendment by Mr. If'Cal- . liimto exclude members of the Profes- ." sovial Board from representation on the ' was rejected on a divi- .-' sion. • also negatived proposals 'to give school committees and public school, and-, secondary -school teachers representation on the council, but the Hon. Ja's. Allen stated that nest year he would i bring down a-BUI-to widen the represeny-|- -. ■ tationVupon all tho: University' college councils of fhe" Dominion. '".".-'■.. The->Wanganui River Trust Amendment Bill'.and thejjau'raki -Plains Amendment Bill through coniniitteo in . rapid succession...,;'-.. ... . .. The; Public' Trust . Office Amendment. -Bill was. passed,.with minor 'amendments,' after a brief discussion'..' The-Valuation of Land Amendment'Bill, gave'rise'to a long, though-easy-going, dis-. cu'ssion. . -."■■' . ■ -■ . ■ The Land Tax :-and Income Tax Bill was also down for consideration in Committee, but.os soon as the short title of this measure had '"'been passed, tho. ■ Prinie' 'Minister moved to'- report pto- . sress'....." " '... ".. ... ..,.- The-eo.al.JliMs" Amendment Bill,' Military Pensions Bill, and the Dunedin Garrison /Hall Trustees Empowering Bill wore introduced by Governor's Message and read :r a" first 'time. The Miiies Bill was read a second tims pro forma, and referred to._tho Mines Committee. Tho House rose at 0.50 a.m. The Public Service Bill was put through its second reading .stage in the Legislative Council yesterday; the'motion being carried->ou ftie - yoips.. The comniitteo stage will b>copiineiice,d. : to-day, nnd until it is compl?.?d,'the Council will sit at night--, devoting the whole of each afternoon to..the Public Service , Bill, ondeven- '. ' iugs tu r geriei'al.business.