THE HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1866, 27 September 1913, Page 8

THE HOUSE.

The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Dr. A. K. NEWMAN (Wellington East) gave notice to ask tho Minister of Justice'whether lie could seo his way to remove the discrepancy in pay between members of tho detective force and sergeants of police. A Harbour Light. Mr. R. M'CALLUM (Wairau) gave notice to ask the Minister of Marine whether, now that tho Devon inquiry had concluded, he would take immediate steps to place a strong light on Barrett's Reef. Pensions for Messengers. Mi'. H. ATMORE (Nelson) asked whether the Prime Minister would giro effect to his promise to provide pensions for tho messengers recently retired. The PRIME MINISTER said that tho House would be asked later in the session to make provision by way of pension for messengers who retired in July last. ' Library Privileges. Mr. G. J. ANDERSON (Mataura), Chairman of the Joint Library Committee, reported that it had amended tho No. 1 privilego list by adding tho names -. of Mrs. Ballancc and Mrs. R. J. Seddoit, and by making it apply to exPrime Ministers and their wives. It had been decided that members' wives should be admitted to tho main library yu 11011-sitling days, and that 011 theso days members might show their friends round, provided the latter did not remain in the library.

Mr. A. S. MALCOLM (Clutlia) said tl\t the library was most used on nonsitting days. If it were possible to admit members' wives on non-sitting days it should be easy to extend tho privilege to sitting days. This concession should be made to members who wore separated from their families during a great part of the year. Ho moved that the report' he referred back to the committee, with a view to' the concession being granted. Mr. L. M. ISITT (Christeluireh North) said that he would bo content if the wives of members were granted access to tho library while tho House was actually sitting. The Hon. W. FRASER said that ho agreed that tho privilege asked for : should bo granted to wives and daughters of members, but they must guard against friends of wives and daughters being allowed'indiscriminately to'enter the library. ' Mr. Fisher: What about the sister of an unmarried member? Mr. Eraser said that the privilego might extend to near relatives, but should not extend to friends. Mr. G. J. ANDERSON said that lie had 110 objection to; tho rbport being referred back for further'consideration, and it was referred back accordingly.