LEGISMTIVE COUNCIL REFORM BEL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1800, 12 July 1913, Page 6

LEGISMTIVE COUNCIL REFORM BEL.

FEATURES EXPLAINED.

The House of Representatives met at 6.30 p.m. Mr.- T. M. WILFORD (Hutt) gave notice to ask the Government whether any applications were called for tho impor-. / tant and well-paid position-recently conferred upon Mr. Robert Darroch,. and 1 if not, why 'not? Mr. H. M. CAMPBELL (Hawko's Bay) cave notice of his intention to introduce tho Napier Board Empowering and Loan Bill. j, Mr. J. V. BROWN (Napier) gave notice to ask tho Minister'for Railways whether !he would put a. sleeping oar on tho Main Trunk trains for second-class passengers. Three days' leave of.absence.was granted to Mr. j.'G. Coates (Ivaipara), A LOCAL BILL, Tho Otago Harbour Board Empowering Bill (the Hon. J. A.. Millar)-was introduced and read a first timo. WESTPORT HARBOUR CASE. Mr. R. M'CALLUM (Wairau) asked leave to move without notice. that the order of referenco of the special committee appointed by the House on July 10 to inquire into recent appointments to the ; Westport Harbour Board-be extended so eis to include an investigation into the ■ .removal of Messrs. Foster . and Hansen from the board, together with matters reflating thereto; the committee to have power to call for persons and papers and to-report to thfc Houso within 21 days. The Honi P. M. B. Pislher: I object. Mr. M'Callum asked leave to make a ipersonal explanation. Mr. Speaker -told him that he could not do so, hut eventually allowed Mr. M'Callum to direct 'his attention to Standing Orders'23o and 212 and the motion.-of the previous day setting up tho committee. The committee set up on the previous. day, .Mr. M'Callum declared, woidd be futile and had no power whatever. , The Hon. W. H. Herries:'Order! Mt. SPEAKER:- The appointment of the committee- was entirely in order. I understand the lion, member has given • notice. - Mr. M'Callum: I have, "THE PEACE COUNCIL." Mr. G. W. RUSSELL (Aronj presented 1 a petition on behalf'of the National. Peaco Council of New, Zealand, in, which.it was alleged that'tlio officer in charge of the detection, camj> at -Ripa. Island had. ex-, ceoded- -liis-jurisdiction in confining the lads and putting- them. on. short rations. ' Petitioners tiherefore .asked Barliamenlt 11) to order their immediate release, (2) ,to provide'. that adequate compensation hma.y bo rendered them, (3) to.institute a • rpublio inquiry - into the conduct of tho. Barracks. '

MILITARY DETENTION REVIEWED.