PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1899, 6 November 1913, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

A DAILY SUMMARY.

■?': : , ■ ' Proceedings have been very flat in the House of Representatives during the last day or two, and yostcrday did not witness any improvement. Tho strike, for tho timo being, completely overshadows ordinary political alfairs, and members lend, an inattentive ear to talk about Bills and other items of business that at ordinary times would command their eager interest. Yesterday's sitting, -like those that have immediately preceded it, was in the main a mere languid drift down the Order Paper. . The House received without enthus'iasnr a suggestion by Sir Joseph Ward that a Special Committee, with Mr. , Speakor presiding, should consider means of compelling a settlement of tho strike,' by legislation or otherwise, and report to the House. Tho Prime Minister promised to consider the suggestion. In the courso of his remarks he denounced the inflammatory speeches "that have been delivered by strike lead'era in Wellington and elsewhere, and expressed a belief that, nine-tenths of the people of the Dominion desired open ' ports and industrial peace. Mr. Massey mentioned that Cabinet had that morning considered tho question of introducing, legislation with & view to terminating tho strike. 1 \ Messrs. Payne and Webb sought to deliver speeches about the strike, and not 'being allowed to do so, made interruptions 'in a fashion that' led to " their being sharply rebuked by Mr. Speaker. | Mr., W. A. Veitch gave notico to in- . troduce the Employment of Waterside .Workers and Casual La,bour Regulation Tho usual opportunity was afforded of Cisoussing Ministerial replies to questions, but only three-quarters of an hour was taken up in this way. . Most of the time was spent in discussing the .action of tho Wellington Garrison Offi'cers' Club in black-balling an officer who sought admission to its membership. Making: a speecli in reply to criticisms the Hon. W. 11. Herries offered some interesting observations on the subject of social relations in New Zealand. An opportunity was afforded of'.dis- ' bussing the report of the Commission on the Sunnyside Mental Hospital, but not a single member spoke. . • The Public Revenues Amendment Bill Was read a third time. ' In the Legislative Council a number of small Bills were advanced a stage. Among them was the Science and Art Bill, the debate on which was made inJteresting by a declaration by the Leader ' [of the Council in favour, of Mount Cook ias the site for tlio Dominion Museum. In the everting, the Footwear Regulation Bill, which provides that shoddy boots must' be branded with a true description, was read a second time. ' From nine o'clock onwards the, House was engaged upon the Shipping and Seamen Amendment Bill in Ocfiiniitteo. One or two important amendments affecting the question of shipowners' liability were accepted by the Minister of Marine. The Bill was reported with an endments, and the House rose at 1.1.50 p.m.