PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1894, 31 October 1913, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

A DAILY SUMMARY. Only mild interest in the business of .the'" country was manifested by mem■bers of the House of Representatives Sesterday, The attendance at most times during tho day was poor, and it was an open secret that the circumstances surrounding tho waterside Workers' strike for the timo being dominated. all other affairs in tho minds of members. The subject of the strike Aid not actually arise, however, until the evening, and then it engaged the attention of the Houso only for about twenty minutes. . Nearly two hours in tho afternoon were spent in a discussion, upon an amendment moved by Mr._Craigio when the Bank of Now Zealand Bill was reported from tho Fublia Accounts Committee. Mr. Craigie moved to append to the formal motion that the report lie on tho table in affirmation that a Royal Commission should be appointed during the recess to inquire into the relations between the State and the shareholders cf the bank, An alternative; proposed /by Mr. Ell. that the Bill should bo referred this session to a Select Committee of tho House, was negatived by 45 Votes to 18, and immediately afterwards Mr. Craigie's amondment was thrown but by 41 votes to 21. During tho.distussion Sir Joseph Ward expressed the Opinion that the State should acquire *the bank, a course that was also recommended by Dr. A. It. Newman. The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher gave notice to introduce the Footwear Regulation {ill, a measure which provides for the randing of shoddy boots and for tho Appointment of inspectors and the drafting of regulations. : The Rating Amendment Bill (Mr. Berries) was read a second time pro iforma, and referred to the Native Affairs Committee. ; i f Tho Beer Duty Amendment Bill (Mr. jFislier) was read a third timo after a ,l briof discussion. JWhen tho House resumed at 7.30 Sir Joseph Ward addressed a, question to tho Prime Minister in regard to an incident that occurred in Post Office Squaro yesterday afternoon. The Leader of tho Opposition said that he had been informed ,on ~ credible authority that the mounted police had charged through a crowd of inoffensive' spectators who had nothing to do with the strike. Another version of the affair, was given by the Primo Minister, iwho itated that the police had received gross provocation, and had been pelted ifrith siones and pieces of iron. To a question by Mr. Webb as to whether the special constables would be /withdrawn, tho Hon. A. L. Hordmatt troturned a, firm negative. He stated that in view of recent events it would ibe necessary to increase the number of 'special constables. Both Ministers expressed the firm determination of the ■Government to maintain law and order. ] The Scionco find Art Bill was passed through Committee, and tho Government Railways Amendment Bill and tho [Post and Telegraph Amendment Bill hvere both read a second time. The House roso at 0.30 a.m. The Land Billwas passed through the Committee stage in the Legislative Council. A number of amendments were inserted, but most of them were inserted on the motion of tho Minister, iond nono were agreed to which lie had '••jiot expressed his willingness to accept.