PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1806, 19 July 1913, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

A DAILY SUMMARY.

The Houso of Representatives put in a quietly industrious day yesterday, which was' in strong contrast to the days spent ft?cently upon Che Address-in-Reply debate. By the time the Houso rosej at tho (Unusually early hour of 10,4 no fewer than seven Bills had been read a second time. It was a performance that moved tho Prime Minister to congratulate members upon their good work, and to promise early adjournments in future if equal industry were shown. A number of brief discussions arose in the afternoon, Sir. R. Scott, member for Otago Central, asked leavo to withdraw from tho Special Committee set up to' investigate apix>intments to tho Westport Harbour Board, in favour of the Ifoa.' li. M'Kenzio. The proposal was . .warmly opposed by the Opposition, and ' eventually was allowed to drop. A question by Sir. Seddon about the rato of wages paid to men at Bea'ley Flat gave the Eon, W. Fraser an opportunity to put forward a vigorous defence of tho small contract system in. carrying out public works.. Tho Prime Minister read a statement which ho had received from Mr. G. F. C. Campbell (Secretary to the Treasury) in full refutation of a rumour' (ventilated in the Houso by Mr. Hanan on the previous evening) that one of the Assistant Public Commissioners had thrown a file at that official The House spent in all a little over four hours in dealing with tho Bills on tho Order Paper. Tho Shops and Offices Bill was read a 'second tim« pro forma, and referred to tho Labour Bills Committee. Seven Bills wero read a second time. Of these, the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill is a small measure, intended to 'repair a defect in tho existing law by providing that agreements before a Conciliation Council' may bs registered as awards of the Arbitration Court. Tho 'Amendments Incorporation Bill and the land Transfer Amendmont Bill are -measures of a technical character. The popyright Bill was read a 6econd time after a very brief discussion. ' The only really contentious | measure dealt with was tho Architects Bill,' which was severely criticised by town and country members on both sides of the House as being likely to create an unduly privileged corporation. Pinallv it was read a second time, oh. the \inaerstanding that it should bo referred ,to a Special Committee. The Magistrate's Court< Amendment. Bill, which is intended to improve the status of magistrates. and nx. their 'salaries by statute, had an easy passage through its second reading stage. ' An amusing incident terminated the discussion upon tho Land aud c Income Assessment ' Amendment _ Bill. It provides an additional income tax exemption for people with children. Mr. Hine, member for Strata ford, took the same view as many Opposition members, viz., that the Bill generally was a feeble measure of Reform, and began at the wrong point, and demanded a division—the first division of the session. The Opposition, to appearance, did not want a division, but they had to vote, and most of them voted with tho Government. The figures were: Ayes, 47; noes, 7. .1, The Houso rose at 10.4 p.m. ' ' /