THE HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1809, 23 July 1913, Page 8

THE HOUSE.

The..House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. . Mr. T. M. WII/FQRD (Hutt) gave notice to'ask the Minister for Justice whether, when he appointed Mr. Robert Darroch to the position of police coach, at a salary of .Ei 3s. a weeK, he was aware that Mr. Darroch was already in receipt of a salary from the Postal Department and another from the Education Department, and w'hethx-r he did not think it would have,been just and equitahle to let men, who were out of employment, and were qualified for the position of ooach, have an opportunity of applying!

THE GREY ELECTION. Mr." T.- E. ; Y. SEDDON (Westland) gave notice to ask what authority the Reform • party organiser (now at Greymouth) fiad for making the statement reported as follows: —"Mr. Jones again thanked the living examples of Federation amongst the audience for supporting his arguments so visibly. He said that under it the Government, who were spending a hugo sum opening mines at Runanga and a}, the Otira tunnel, would not be justified in going on with these undertakings if a Labo'iir, candidate were returned." - Tho Prime Minister Where did you get that? Mr. Seddon: From the paper this morning. The Prime Minister: What paper ? A member: "New Zealand Times."' The Prime Minister: Don't believia a word of it. Mr. G. W. Russell: You .don't know Jones! Mr. J. ROBERTSON (Otaki) gave notice, to ask tho Prime Minister whether lie agreed with a statement, reported to be made by Mr. Michel, that in the event of a Labour candidate being returned for Grey, it would servo, tho plectors right, if the Government shut down the Otira tunnel. ,' . POST OFFICE HISTORY.

Mr. T. M. WILFORD (Hutt) notified that ho would ask tho Government why it had issued a publication entitled "History of tho Post Office," seeing that a similar publication had been issued some years ago, and that tha later ono seomed to contain nothing new except a photograph of tho .Postmaster-General, which did not do him justice. LEAVE OF.ABSENCE. Four days' leave of absence were grantid to Mr. V. H. Reed (Bay of Islands); equal periods to Messrs. W. A. Veitch (Wanganui) and J. V. Brown (Napier); ten <lays' to Mr. A. M. Myers (Auckland East); two days to Mr. E. P. Leo (Oamaru); five days to Mr. J. Bollard (Eden); and ten days to Sir Joseph Ward.

A LOCAL BILL. Tho Auckland City Empowering Bill was usiad. a first time. A POINT OF PROCEDURE. A brief discussion upon procedure arose over the presentation of a communication from the Auditor-General in reference to public securities. Tho PRIME MINISTER moved to refer the paper to tho Public Accounts Committee. Mr. G. W. RUSSELL (Avon) , asked whether the Prime Minister Was taking this course in order to avoid discussion, and asked for Mr. Speaker's ruling as to the effect if tho motion were agreed to. Mr. SPEAKER, quoting a ruling by Sir Maurice O'Rorke, ruled tllint when a matter had been referred to a committee of the House ,it could not be discussed in tho House. The PRIME MINISTER, said that from previous rulings, it had appeared that although a paper roferred to a'committeo could not bo discussed the subjects with which t'lie paper dealt could be discussed. He asked for Mr. Speaker's ruling on this aspcct of the question, staling that if hd such stipulation as,he had indicated wore made it would be im-

possible to refer any financial question to a committee. The Government desired tho fullest possiblo discussion of all financial questions. Some disoussion took place, and Mr. Speaker finally said that if lion, members so desired lie would reserve his ruling. The motion was allowed to stand over temporarily. PENSIONS BILL, SOME IMPORTANT EXTENSIONS. Tho Pensions Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor's Message. Mr. G. . RUSSELL (Avon) said !hat ho had looked with some anxiety to see what sort of pension legislation would come from the party in power, (Government laughter.) The Minister in charge of the Bill had said that ho did not agree with the present basis of the pension system. He had this session declared his pronounced opposition to the old age pension as it now existed. Mr. Fisher: Rubbish! Mr. Russell continued that the Minister 'had said, that if the law were about to "be passed as it now stood on the Statute Book .he would oppose it. Mr. Herries: What are you alluding to? 1 Mr. Russell: To words that have been, said. Mr. Eraser: In a past debate! Mr. Russell: Don't try tho gag. If tlie gentlemen on the Treasury Benches dared, lie continued, they would Temodel the pension system. They would introduce the universal pension, which everyone knew would not stand, and would substitute for the ' present humanitarian pension system ono under which pensions would he given for the encouragement of thrift. If the Minister in charge of the Bill had the courage of his convictions he should liring down a Bill carrying them into effect.

A Step in -Reform. The Hon.- F. M. B. EISIIER said, that he did not propose to discuss the Bill at any length, although he knew what was in it, and the member for Avon did not. What was new in tho Bill, the mic-mber for Avon would find it necessary to support. It provided that a.-pension should be paid to women at the age of CO. They would receive a pension of JB2I at GO, and it would increaa? in subsequent years as ujider :—6l, .£22; 62, .£23; 63, .£24; 61, £25; 65,'£26 (full pension). It was perfectly 'true, tho Minister continued, that he did not approve of tho basis of tho present old age pension. The basis was defective' in that if a man saved up and purchased a little property on which to live he was penalised for having been thrifty. On tho other hand, the whole pension was paid to thto man who had not been thrifty. The Bill contained tho first step in the development of the Government's pension policy. It provided that an annual pension of ,£3t> should "be paid to every holder of tho New Zealand war medal, irrespective of property altogether. He believed that this was tho first Pension Bill which had been introduced into the House based upon the principle which ought to be applied to the whole pension system. Unfortunately the system had .been originated upon a wrong basis, and it would cost an enormous sum to put it on a right basis. He hoped .that the Bill might mark the first stop in the direction ■ of removing the impost now put upon the old age pensioner, who was taxed upon the value ot his little cottage home. Provi-sion-was made in the Bill whereby a pierson who had Completed forty years' bonafidei residence in the Dominion might receive tho pension, although lie had been absent from the country for some years. Mr. Davey : At any timo? Mr. Fisher: At any timo, rtrovided he lias lived for twelvo_ months iii-Nlew Zealand prior to making Japplication. He added that under the old system the amount a miner received from the Miners' Relief Fund was calculated as income and tho pension reduced accordingly. Under the Bill this had been cut out. Tho member for Avon, Mi-. Fisher concluded, had made an unfair and unjust spa?ch intended-to prejudice the party in power. Messrs. Wilkinson and Glover commended tha Bill. Mr. J. H. BRADNEY (Auckland West) agreed that the Bill embodied reforms, but stated that ho would be content with nothing Short of the universal pension. Mr. G. WITTY (Ricearton) said that the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher had blamed the previous Government for not bringing in tte universal pension. Now he said that it would cost too much. If it would "cost too much now it would have cost too much then. The present Government would not face the universal pension because if it did it.would have to put on an enormous land tax. A Government member: Was that why you did not bring it in ? Mr. J. A. YOUNG (Waikato) said that the alteration of the military"pension would be splendid news to military pioneers. _ He congratulated the Government also in reducing the pension age for women. It would bring cheer to many old women in this country.:-Messrs.-J. C. Thomson (Wallace). T. E. Y. Seddon (Westland), and T. W. Rhodes (Thames) also generally commended the Bill. The Bill was read a first time. PENSIONS RECIPROCITY.

AGREEMENT WITH AUSTRALIA. The Pensions: Reciprocity Bill was introduced by Governor's Message. The Hon. P. M. B. FISHEH explained that the Bill proposed to'ratify; the agreement entered into with , the Prime Minister of the Cominonwcatli. It made provision for payment of the pension to persons who had 'lived, for such a length of time in Australasia' as would have entitled them to the pension had their residence been throughout in Australia or>New Zealand. Applicants, under the agreement, must have resided for twelve months, prior to application, in the country in which they made their .application. The cost of providing pensions would be borne by-New Zealand and Australia oil the basis of estimated population at the end of the year. Practically, it meant that New Zealand would pay one-seventh of the total amount. At tho end of five years the agreement might be revised or renewed at the instance of either party. Answering questions, the Minister said that he did not think the agreement was likely to bo terminated at the end of iivo years, but the liability of each country was an unknown quantity, and it had been deemed advisable to make'tlie agreement liable to revision in five years. Applicants would receive the pension under the conditions obtaining in tho . country in whicli they applied. Mr. Seddon asked whether tho change of Government in Australia would affect the agreement.

Mr.. Pisher said that a Bill in a precisely similar form would bo introduced in the Commonwealth Parliament. The New Zealand Bill would only come into operation on being proclaimed in the "Gazette," and it could' not be gazetted until it had been passed in tho Commonwealth. Sir Walter Buchanan asked whether the Minister had taken into account tho. possible drift of old age pensioners to New Zealand, attracted by a more equable climate. • Mr."Fisher said the" matter had been discussed. Probably as many pensioners drifted from New Zealand to Australia as from Australia to New Zealand. The Bill was read a first time. BJLLS IN PROSPECT. The PRIME MINISTER gave notice to introduce the Methodist Union Bill and the Workers' Compensation Amendment Bill. MINES COMMITTEE. On the motion of the Hon. W. Fraser, the following members were appointed as a Mines Committee: Messrs. R. F. Bollard, Colvin, Lee, Poland, T. W. Rhodes, Scott, Seddon, G. M. Thomson, the Hon. R. M'Kenzie, and the mover. AN EASY PASSAGE. The House went into Committee on the .Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill, which was reported, without discussion, unamended. The Bill was rend a third time, and passed. POLICE FORCE. . TFIE BOARD OF APPEAL. The. Hon. A. L. IIERDMAN moved the second reading of tho Police Force Bill, lie said that the Bill was a simple one. Tho Act under which the I'olico Force was controlled was obsolete. It dated from ISSIi. The first part of tho new Act dealt with appointments and powers, and was largely old. Sections 8, "J, and 10 dealt with suspension of Officers. Somo of these clauses were old. and another was taken

from a Tasmanian statute. Clause 17, which dealt with appeals, was taken from tho Victorian statute, ami was new in New Zealand. At prcsfnt it lay with the Commissioner to investigate any charge. Ujklci- the new clauie, the .Minister, where an inspector was concerntd, would appoint two persons to inquire, and would act. upon their report. In the case of a sergeant or constable, a superintendent or inspector would inquii:a and report. A new provision was introduced that sworn evidence might bo called-at Departmental inquiries. Clause 18 conferred upon every ineniLvr of the force tho right of appeal to n boaj'd, to be nominated by the Minister, consisting of a magistrate, an otiicer of tho force, senior or equal in rank to tho appellant, and some other person not a member of the force. It was absolutely necessary that the Ministry of tho day should remain in control of the Polite Force, but he ventured to believe that the establishment of an Appeal Board would be an improvement. Mr. DAVEY said that the Board of Appeal might disagrco with tile decision of tho Minister, yet tho Minister retained the power of veto over the decisions of the board.

The MINISTER said that he could not alter tho clause. It gave msmbers of the force rights they had never enjoyed before, and a right of having their grievances investigated which they had never enjoyed before, but power of control must remain vested in the Crown. Home Opposition comment was directed at the clause prohibiting under penalty of a teavy fine any attempt 011 the part of members of the force to influence electors, but the Minister defended it, contending that it was absolutely necessary that tho police should abstain from participation in politics. The main principles of tho Bill were of very great importance. lie. felt that if tho Bill were passed as it stood it would confer a benefit upon the Police Force of the Dominion, and give them better opportunities of having their grievances heard than they enjoyed at the present time.

Retiring Age. Mr. J. A. lIANAN (Invercargill) said that the Bill contained sonio desirable features, but that it had others which nere objectionable. He regretted that it contained no provision for retirement at the age of 05 years. There were three or four inspectors in the Service who Ind completed 10 years' servioe, and within a year or two would .reach the ago of Go. The Police Commission had recommended for the sake of tho efficiency of the forco that sergeants and constables should retire at W) and inspectors at 65. Regulations made by Commissioner Tunbridge in 1902 provided for retirement at the ages recommended by the Royal Commission, but the proviso had been dropped in the now- regulations. He disapproved strongly of the continuance of the method of giving rewards to police constables and officers for special services.

Police Examinations. Mr. G. WITTY (Riccarton) complained that tho Minister had made too short an exploration of the Bill. He agreed that younger members of the force ought to be required to pass an examination 011 entering the force, but it was not fair to ask officeis who had been long in tho force to do so. Mr. Witty contended that tho clause providing a penalty in the case of members of the force who took part in,politics was too drastic, although he agreed that policemen should abstain from participation in pdlitics. He found fault with the clauses relatim 1b Departmental inquiries and appeals. It was wrong that the Minister should have power to appoint the board and the power to veto its decision as well. This was even less satisfactory than the constitution of tho Railway Appeal Board. Policemen should bo paid better than they were.

t The Policeman's Lot. The Hon. A. L. HERDMAN said that he would be' happy to accept any reasonable amendment in Committee. Regarding retirement at 05, it was tho practice to retire members of thp force at that ago. There was no officer in tho forco at present' who had reached the age of 65., Mr. Atmore: Why not make it compulsory? Sir. Herdman said he was not sure that that was desirable. Mr. Hanan: Suvo you a lot of trouble! Mr. Herdman said that in exceptional cases it might be advisable to retain an officer who had reached the ago of 65. As to goods that came into the hands of the police it was the custom to keep for twelve months all goods of a non-perish-able charactcr. Woollen goods and similar articles could not be kept so long. The question of pay was a serious one. Twelve .months ago the then Government had increased salaries in the lower grades and the' present Government had raised salaries in the higher grades so as to bring 'about unifarmitv. The Government could not see its way to increase the pay of members of the force at the present time. An increase of Gd. a day would mean .£IO,OOO a year, and Is. a day would mean .££o,ooo a year. Some constables on country stations made with supplementary offices from .£3OO to .£■loo a year, including their pay, and, taking them as a whole, their circumstances were comfortable. The second reading was agreed to. POLICE POWERS.

TO QUELL INDUSTRIAL DISTURBANCE. Tile Hon. A. L. HERDMAN moved {he second reading of the Police Offences Amendment Bill. He said that it was n short Bill, rendered necessary, in part, because the law officers considered that pertain powers to arrest persons without warrant should be contained in the Police Offences Act, and not in the Police Force Act. Clause 2of the Bill was new, but it was not new in England. It was intended to apply to cases which sometimes occurred when feeling was highly aroused at times of industrial trouble. Tho Bill cleared up the question as to the law under which proceedings should be taken when one person intimidated another or mado his life miserable. Mr. D. BUDDO (Kaiapoi) said that the Bfil had taken an almost outrageous idea of some of the offences noted, and would be more appropriate in Russia than in New Zealand. In some of its features, the Bill would make the police omnipotent. Something of the nature provided in the Bill might be called for, but as it stood it required careful revision. Speaking after the dinner adjournment Mr. Buddo said that the whole Bill seemed to be aimed at industrial disputes. There was no such power in existing law as was contained in the proposed statute. The police were made the sole judges as to what constituted provocation and this was a responsibility which • members of the force were not qualified to undertake. If the Bill wero put into operation tile appearance of a polico officer would be a terror to other persons than evildoers. 1

Mr. 6. WITTY (Riccarton) said that only ti weak Minister could have brought in such a drastic Bill. It gave a constable power to arrest anyone anvwhere. tj one would bo safe if the Bill bomo an Act. Air. W. H. D. BELL (Wellington Suburbs) said that he agreed entirely with the principle of this Bill, but recommended the Minister to refer it to tho Statutes Revision Committee. This was the sort of Bill which that Committeo had been set up to deal with in order that tho lawyer members of the House might point out to it what portions of a Bill were novel. The Statutes Revision Committee had been set up in tho previous session and so far he had not attended a single meeting. It had never been called together.

' Class Legislation? Mr. J. ROBERTSON (Otalci) said that he would oppose the Bill as a piece of class legislation. If Bills were continue hlly passed making all sorts of actions, which now were innocent, offences, necessarily law-breakers would be created. The Bill proposed to confer upon constables powers which should never be conferred upon policemen in any country. -The Minister proposed to confer on constables summary powers over tho persons of citizens, and at the same time lie refused to allow those constables to form an association of their own lest it should lie subversive of public order. Surely those men who could not be trusted to form an association were not fit to bo trusted with such summary powers of arrest. The Bill, lie declared, belonged to the Dark Ages, in that some of its provisions were the law of the times when trades unions were not legalised. The law of England permitted peaceful picketing in industrial disputes, but this Bill would prohibit it altogether. The Miuister. in bringing down the Bill, was simply carrying out. tho behest of tho Employers' Federation. But what did the Minister for Justice liouo to accomplish by his

Bill ? Tliero would not bo one less striko. Would there be less lawlessness in strikes? This Acfc on the contrary would rather create lawlessness and disorder in times of strikes, and the Minister would have to take nil tho responsibility for this lawlessness. He would move in Committee to have peaceful picketing recognised as lawful. A Novel Proposal. Mr. T. 31. WILFORD (Ilutt) said ho saw much in the Bill which was good, nnd he would support tho «cond reading. Certain of tiia clauses needed scmo reviewing, and lie would suggest that perhaps it would be wise to refer it to the. Statutes Revision Committee. Mr. Herdnian: That will be done. Mr. Wilford commented adversely on the clauses limiting the punishment to imprisonment for three month?, so depriving the accused of the right of trial by jury. Why were tho Government afraid'of the public? Why did tliey refuse trial by jury? Mr. Massey: When did wo refuse that? Mr. Wilford: 111 all your Acts of last session. Mr. Massoy: Which? Mr. Wilford: In all your Gaming Acts. Mr. Massey: There were no (Saining Acts last session. Mr. Wilford: You had a section of tho Gaining Act—about bookmakers' betting cards and charts. Mr. Massey: No. we had no gaming legislation at all. You arc thinking o7 the previous session. An lion, member: You are thinking of Hie Ward Government.

Mr.' Wilford thought for a moment, and, evidently deciding that he was wrong, said: "If it was the Ward Government, I am taking up exactly the same position now that I took up'then. And I am surprised to see you following the lead of a Government which you consider was so wicked and bad." Mr. Wilford, continuing, said (ho objected to constables being given tho summary powers of arrest proposed under the Act, and he detailed-his reasons for so doing. Some clauses of the Bill he would oppose, but there were clauses which made "it necessary that tho Bill should be passed. He asked the Minister ,to refer it to tlni Statutes Revision Committee at once, before tho second reading. This Mr. Herdnian refused to do, saying that the Bill would go to the Committee after the second reading.

Tlie Hon. W. F. MASSEY (Prime Minister) said he had not risen to take part in the discussion. _ He wished only to refer to the suggestion made by tlie member for Hutt that the Bill should be sent to the Statutes Revision Committee. He would refer the honourable member to the Standing Order of tlie House, which set forth that a Bill having been read a second time was to be considered by a committee of the wholo House, and in certain cases by a Sessional Committee. ' It. was made perfectly clear that the Bill must be read a second time before being referred to the Committee. Of course, it could be read a second time pro forma, and then tho discussion was taken on the report from the Sessional Committee 011 tho Bill. In his many years' experience of the House—and he was quite a veteran now—lie had never known a singlo case- of tlie debate on tiro second reading of a Bill being interrupted in order that the Bill should go to a Committee. Tlie reason was obvious; the Bill would come back from the Committee a different Bill from that which went to the Committee, and those tclio liail already spoken to tine original Bill would be deprived of their right to speak to tho Bill brought down for second reading. Opponents of the Bill. Mr. A. H. HINBMAJiSII (Wellington South) said the proposals to give powers of summary arrest were extraordinary. He was sure they did not exist in any other part of the British Empire, and probably not in any country in tho world. He objected to the clause, declaring that it appeared to liaVe been drawn by tlie Employers' Federation. Mr. G. W. RUSSELL (Avon) said tho 1 Bill was really in part a Police Bill, and iu part a Labour Bill. Ho thought that section of the Bill which referred to labour disputes should be referral to tlie Labour Bills Committee. One provision, he said, was aimed at tho right of freo spceck. Mr. Herdman: Not at all., Mr. Russell olid the clause had emanated from what wore known as the Clock Tower offences in Cliristchurch. Mr. Herdman: Nothing of the sort. Mr. Russell declared that freedom of speech was one 'of the greatest privileges of tlie nation, and it was much tetter that u few people should misuse that liberty occasionally than that that right should be curtailed. .Mr. R. M'CALLUM, (Wairau) said he would record his vote'against tha second reading of the Bill. Mr. J. PAYNE (Grey Lynn) said the Bill was "tho ciuintessence of one of the vilest Tory measures ever put through in any democratic country." Sir. G. W. FORBES (Huxunui) objected that the Bill proposed to confer unknown powers upon tho police force. There was no doubt that the Bill was very faulty, indeed, and he would like to know whs-re it had como from. He hoped it was not a Police Bill. He would vote against the second reading.. Mr. J. 11. BRADLEY (Auckland West) said that he considered tho Bill a step in the right direction. Ho suggested, howK-ver, that tho word "loitering" should be excised. It would bo dangerous to give a constable power to arrest anyone simply for loitering. Iu tho main, tho Bill was calculated to maintain peace and order, not only in tinws of 'industrial disorder, but at other times. The Hon. 1!. M'KENZIE (Motueka) said that he saw 110 redeeming feature in the Bill. He did not care whether Clause 2 was described as tlie "Waihi" cltui6e, or the "square deal" clause, or tho "strikebreaking" clause; if passid into law it would bo far mors likely to lead to rioting than to pence. Peaceful picketing was recognised- in all civilised countries, and was a legitimate practice. The police had ample powers already, and there was no need to extend these powers.

Minister Defends His Bill. The Hon. A. L. HERDMAN said that there was a serious misconception as to the character of tho Bill. It was intended to defend people who desired to go about their business and to punish those who interfered with others and prevented their following their ordinary calling in a lawful way. Ono honourable member had said that he should have taken the House more fully into his confidence. His reply was that the language in the Bill was clear and plain, and could bo understood without difficulty. Referenco had been mado to the fact that the member for Otaki had spoken of the Bill as being based in part 011 the English Conspiracy and Law of Property Act, 1875. He had himself informed the member for Otaki of this fact before the dinner adjournment. It was a question for tho House to say whether the Bill before it should follow the lines of tho English Act of 1875.

Jlr.N Forbes: You did not say that tho Act of. 1875 had been amended. Mr. Herdnian said that it was not for him to explain that the Act had been amended. It was for him to explain the Bill before the House. He emphatically denied a statement by the member for. Avon that the Bill was designed to interfere with liberty of speech. The honourable gentleman, in making the assertion, had referred to a section which was tho law of the land at the present time. Mr. Herdman read the clause to which Mr. Russell had referred, and asked that member whether it was new. A member: Put that question on tho Order Paper! Mr. • Herdman: If 1 did I would get no an-;iwer or a shuffling answer! He continued that the honourable gentleman knew perfectly well that the clause was in the present Police Offences Act. It was a pure invention oil the honourable gentleman's part to say that the Bill was intended to interfere with liberty of speech. Defenders of Disorder.

He gathered from tho speeches delivered by tho member for Avon and other members of the House that they objected to passing legislation which meant the conservation of law and order. This was the only inference to be drawn from tho speeches: that they objected to legislation to protect Inw-alriding people going about their lawful occupations. It was suggested that the Bill would raluco or restrict the right of free speech. Mr. Russell and Mr. Payne: So it does. Mr. Hcrdman: I deny it, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Payne: The Bill denies you. Mr. Herdman asked whether the honourable gentlemen were really opposed lo the police giving protection to (lie ordinary worker from molestation by people who had 110 right to interfere with them. Mr. .liobcrtson laughed. Mr. Herdman: The member for Otaki may laugh, but the only inference to be drawn from his speech is that ho desira?

lawlessness and disorder. Mr. Herdnian proceeded to givo one instanco of an act of tho sort of men that Mr. Robertson wanted to protect. (It was a caso of following up at Waihi by a procession of strikers of an old cripple, mid tho strikers molested him, ti'od 011 his heels, and so on.) This was it he sort of men the member for Otaki and others were supporting. And the instance was only one of many that could be cited of disgraceful cowardly conduct of strikers at aihi—tho class of conduct which the member for Grey Lynn was defending. There wa.s really no" serious objection to the section increasing the powers of arrest of jjolice officers. Similar powers were granted by other Acts now, and he traversed every sub-clause to argue that the extension of police powers was by no moans dangerous. It had to be borne in mind that it was the duty of the Government to protect people who wished to go about their business in a lawful way. The Bill was a reasonable Bill, and if it were put 011 the Statute Book would, instead of fostering riot and disorder, effectually prevent it. The Bill was Tead a second time (afteT a division) by 37 votes to 22. It was almost entirely a. party vote. On the motion of tho Hon. A. L. Herdman the Bill was referred to tho Statutes Revision Committee. REPRINTING AMENDMENTS. Tho Amendments Incorporation Bill was committed. Tho Bill passed through Committee without amendment, and was read a third time and passed. Tho House rose at 10.40 p.m.

PENSIONS BILL. ' The Pensions Bill, introduced yesterday by the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher, is an important consolidating and amending measure which embodies the provisions of tho Old Age Pensions Act, 1908, and its amendments, the Widows' Pensions Act, 1911, and its amendment of tile following year, nnd the Military Pensions Act, 1912. 111 addition the Bill makes tho old ago pensions payable to women at tho age of 60 and abolishes tho property disqualification in the case of military pensions. It also removes tho disqualification now resting upon old age pension applicants who have broken their period of residence in the Dominion, providing they have completed 40 years' residence and have lived in New Zealand for twelve months prior to application. The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher's of tho new provisions contained in tho Bill is reported in another column.

The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher informed a reporter last evening that lie intended to bring down an 'amendment to tlio Pensions Bill dealing with tlie clause relating to a _ pensioner's home. At present this is liable to'revaluation, and in the event of an increase of value the pension may be correspondingly reduced. The amendment will provide that a pen-' sioner's home will bo assessed always at its original valuation, when the pension was first granted, so that if- a pensioner continues to reside in the same house, his pension will not be reduced because the valuation of the place is increased.