PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2245, 3 September 1914, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

A QUIET DAY. THE HOUSE AND THE COUNCIL The Legislative Counoil met at 2.30 p.m. The Hon. H. D. BELL read a telegram from the Hon. Gilbert Carson, who'lias been seriously ill, rtating that, ha was making good progress towards recovery, and that he hoped to be out of-hospital in a fortnight. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. The Hon. \V. BEEHAN moved: '"i'nat the Minister in charge of the Friendly Societies' Department: be requested to take into consideration the advisability of bringing in a Bill having for its object the subvention . 6f J. , riendly Societies in- certain cases, and j for purposes consequent thereon of incidental thereto." . The Hon. H. D. BELL said the Govojiinient had no objection to the motion. ' For years past schemes had been considered for the subvention of Friendly Societies. The essence of the matter was the coercion of Friendly Societies into consolidating their sick funds. This at anyrate was what the hronourable gentleman urged, but many ledges objected very strongly to this. The change proposed was, a very grave one, and it was not fair to lay blame npon the Government for having refused to insist upon it. To take'the funds of the prosperous lodges, whose funds are .sound, in order to make weaker lodges solvent was a step which the Government were net prepared to toko unless a vast majority of the lodges asked for it. For the present the lodges' in New Zealand did not deeire to be: coerced. ..••.:. ' The motion ivas agreed to on the voices.' HUTT PARK. . The Hutt Park Amendment Bill (the Boh. W._ Beehan) wii» committed, r& ported without amendments, read a third time, and passed. VICTORIA COLLECE. The Victoria College Amendment Bill (the/ Hon.. H. D. Bell) was put through Committee without amendment, read a. third. time without debate, and passed. . ' The Council adjourned at 4.15 p.m. until Friday at 2.30 p.in.