PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2293, 29 October 1914, Page 7

PARLIAMENT

; DiMdu muni, a WUKn. A BIG BATCH OF BILLS DISPOSED OF. i • - ■■ . i . ' • i . ..■-.' I The Legislative Council met at '2,30 ) p.m. I • The Statutes Revision Committee rei ; ported on the Immigration Restriction .I ' Amendment Bill, and recommended that j tho Bill be not proceeded with; There- ■ port waß ordered to lie on the table. I LAND LAWS AMENDMENT BILL. I '..■ PEOTEST AGAINST" "RUSH" LEGISi . '.',.. LATION. . .-• j The Hon. H. D. BELL moved the j second reading of the Land' Laws i Amendment Bill, which consists of a i series of amendments'to the existing I law, none effecting a change except in ■I ■ '. matters of detail. ' ■ ■'■' i ' The Hon. J. BARR contended that | members had not had the opportunity i of examining the amendments, and he | did""not suppose the Bill.would be sent ! to a Special •Comniiti.ee, owing' to the | lateness of the-/session. But the land i question was so important: that such a I Bill should have the careful considera--i ■ tion of the Special Committee set up to i deal with land matters. If they could • not give proper consideration to im- ! portant measures! what was the use of j , • the. Council continuing in existence? It I seemed to be»the custom-handed, down' ! from one .Government , to'another' to i bring on legislation in a rush at the : end of the session. Hβ admitted that the war had made this an exceptional j session, and the Government had not ,:•-,■ been, ablo to give early consideration to i Bills. But the same thiug had gone on j. in previous sessions

Mr. Bell: Surely voii admit that it las been better in the last two years? . Mr. Barr.: I cannot see it. Mr. Bell: Then yon are most unfair. Mr.. Barr:' I beg to differ. Hβ had jaised the same protest before.

The Hon. 0. SAMUEL said that he felt that they were placed at a very great disadvantage.' Complaints had been made in the past; but circumstances- were such that ithey could not blame those who were guiding them. ' The Hon. J. T. PAUL said that'every Government knew that they had a better chance of getting me.asures through the Council, at the end of the session. Their method was a direct incentive to any Government to keep' back, ''legislation in the hope that it would slide through the Council. The machinery needed improVement. The best they could hope -was that a change would take place next session. '

The Hon. W. C. K CARNCROSS said that no'doubt'there was. some ground -for the complaints, but certain measures had to be left till the end of the session. The present was not a bad in6tance; for they had , a gentleman at the Council who could explain everything carefully. He did not see that they had any reason: to complain at this stage about any important Bill being rushed through with undue baste.':'The Hon. H, MOORE said that the difficulty might be overcome to Bomo extent if some measures, were first introduced into, the Council. ■ Mr. Bell: Every Bill that could como before the>.Gouheir>'first'has-;beenPintro-duced here. ■• '• , . : . .Mr. Moore said that he thought they were to be congratulated' at having suchan able leader in'the Council to guide themViu their work. ■The Hon.VC. LOUISSON said that if-it was not. for tho seriousness of the matter tho remarks made would be laughable. It was the usual end of session rush which took place annually, and they heard* members get up and make-indignant protests."' They were responsible for it themselves, for they made a wordy protest, and then feat down' the nest year and did the same thin/....' . ' ... Mr. Paul: Let us throw it out-then. Mr. Louisson:.... No blame attaches k> the non. member who hae charge of the Bills in the Council. He held they should make an active protest, and to test the sincerity of membersOie was going to move that the Bill should bo referred to the Lands Committee. If it was of. so much importance, let them spend anothor week-doing their work. That mightHend to'have some effect next year.

The Hon. H. D. BELL said that it was a most inopportune Bill on which to raise the question. • There were ceriam Bills which had to be introduced in another The Land Bills wero included, and itlras impossible fo have those Bills in the Council much before ■the end of the session. In. the past La had pressed to have the Land Bills in the Council in time to permit careful consideration, and had succeeded during the last..two sessions. \n the present case it was impossible, owing to contentious matter-in the Bill, to have it earlier from the House. In every way he endeavoured to give the members an opportunity to peruse the Bill. If :hon. members-took a little trouble they could follow matters in which they were interested in another place. He' agreed generally with the protest against rushing Bills, but asked them not to .take the Bill then before them on which to enter their protest. Hβ would oppose the amendment because bo did not think tho Lands Committee would deal with the Bill any better than •the members would when it was in Committee. He asked the Council not to voice their protest on the Bill, for it would be idle on such a Bill. It was a Jitfcle 'unfair to make the protest this ■jear. , '■ • The Hon. C. Louisson pressed his amendment that the Bill should go to the Lands Committee. The amendment was negatived on tho voices. . Tho Bill was read a second time, and its committal made an order Cor to-day. [ ' CONTRACTORS' LIENS PROTECTION. The Hon. H. D. BELL moved the second reading of the Wages Protection and Contractors' Liens Amendment Bill, which provides that tho period of thirty-one days during whioh the employer shall retain 25 per cent, of the, contract price shall commence from tho time of completion of the main contract, and not from the date of expiry of tne_ period of maintenance. Mr. Bell said that he had a new clause to move in Committee giving preference to sub-contractors against every assignment, disposition cr charge made or given by tie contractor. Wages already lave a prior lieu. The Hon. J. DUTHIE took exception to the proposed amendment that the sub-contractors should have a, preferential claim on the moneys coming to the main contractor, over and above the ordinary trader who supplied goods to the contractor. It would injure the main contractor, for firms would not desire to deal with him, when all preference went to tho sub-contractor and to wages. The Hon. J- BARR thought that the Bub-contractor "-as entitled to The protection proposed under the amendment. In the past it was the small sub-con-tractor who was very often left without his money when any difficulty arose.Tho Bill was read a- second time. In Committee, The Hon. J. Duthie moved tho addition of new words to Clause 48 of tho main Act, which dealt with tho interpretation of contractors, to provide that any person who supplies any ma- , lerial which , :s used or to be tsed in

connection with the work is in. the position of a .sub-contractor. The' amcndmont mentioned by the Hon. H. D. Bell on the second,reading was carried, and progress was reported till to-day, when Mr. Dnthio's amendment and an amcndmont by the Hon. 'J., Barr will he considered. PUBLIC WORKS BILL , . The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Bill was put through all stages and passed without discussion. . A PRIVATE BILL. The Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland Empowering Bill (the Hon. W. read a second time. The Council rose at.5.5 p.m. , THE HOUSE The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. ' The Hon. R. H. RHODES gave notice to introduce the Mental Defectives Amendment Bill. The Public Works Amendment Bill was introduced and read a first. time. A PENSIONS BILL.' The Pensions Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor's Message and read a first time. In answer to a question, the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher stated that the Government had received a'dvice from the Right Hon. Andrew Fisher, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, that his Government would give consideration as soon as possible to a Pensions Reciprocity Bill similar to the Bill passed by the Now Zealand Parliament. Hβ stated also that there was likelihood of the reciprocal tariff proposals being dea.lt with by the new Labour Government shortly. A WASHIN(!-UP BILL. The Native Land Claims Adjustment Bill (the Hon. W. H. Herries) was introduced, read a, first time, read a second timo pro forma, and referred , to the Native Affairs Committee. . ■ INSPECTION OF MACHINERY. The Hon. F. M. B. FISHER moved the second reading of the Inspection of Machinery Amendment Bill. He said that it Was a small Bill containing certain provisions rendered necessary by the amalgamation of the Inspection of Machinery. Department with the Marine Department, and containing provisions for ihe better guarding-of moving machinery. The Bill was read a second time, put through Committee with minor amendments, read a third time and passed. ~ THE REFORM BILL.

OPPOSITION'S FINAL PROTESTS. •The Right Hon. W. F. IIASSEY moved the. third reading'of the Legislative Council Bill. SHI JOSEPH' WARD (Awarua). said he wished to put on record his protest against the passage of a Bill to amend the Constitution without consulting the people. He argued that the Bill would not come into full effect until 1923. If the Bill was really intended to make tho Council elective, it should come into effect at an earlier date and 1 the term of appointment of those members nominated by the Government should have been shortened. Hβ would even have preferred to'see the nominated members compensated and retired in order.that an election might bo "held at once. Hβ intended to call a division on the Bill..- ■ Mr. G. TC..£USSELL.,(Avon) asked whether casual vacancies Vould still ho filled by nomination even when the Council was elective..- He was not even sure-'that 'he-number of members of the Council was ■ still limited to forty. Hβ was very curious to see how the amendments made in the Bill, especially the proposal that women might sit in tho Council, would be deceived by the potent, grave, and,reverend seigneurs of another place.", . He'was not going to predict, but, he would not Be surprised if Reform of the Legislative Council figured on the Government's election platform for 1914. Tho Right Hon: W. F. MASSEY:. I am going to predict. I am going to predict that this Bill will -pass into law this session. (Hear, hear.) Continuing,,. Mr; Massey proceeded to answer .'the argument Taised by Sir Joseph Ward. He showed that the power of nomination ceased, in 1916, and that in 1921 all nominated roenibers with the exception of the surviving life members would retire. From that time onward the Council would be wholly elective. . - . ■ ■ ■ ■ The 'Leader of the Opposition called a division on the third reading. The Bill was lead a third timo by 37 votes to 25. .'•'•■/.'..'.■ EDUCATION BILL. NELSON SYSTEM CLAUSE. The Hon. J. ALLEN moved that the fiinendnients made in the Education Bill by the Legislative Council be disagreed with. Certain of these amend-' ments he did not think tho House would accept. He also moved that Mr. C; E! Siatham, Mr. J. A. Hanan, and the mover be a committee to draw up "reasons. Mr. G. W..RUSSELL. (Avon) said ho attached little, importance to ally of the amendments made by the Council with the exception of the striking out of the clause giving school committees the right to allow school buildings to he usqd. after school hours for moral and religious, instruction. • This clause, he believed,, was passed by tho House to enable a trial to be given to what was known as. the Nelson system. Whop ''another place" bad cut this out, it was evident that they had' done it ill order to force the House and the couni try into the arms of what was known' as the Bible-in-schools party. He hopj o'l the committee set up to represent tho House would stand fast for the rights of the House and the rights of the people in this important matter. Mr. J. H. BRADNEY (Auckland West) said ho wished to endorse the remarks of the member for Avon.

Mr. L. M. ISITT (Christchurch North) said be could think of no reason why the clause permitting the school committees to allow religious lessons to be given in the school buildings after school hotirs should • be struck out by the Council except a very sinister reason, which ho was loth to impute to anybody. Did tho Council wish to insist upon tho referendum platform of the Bible-in-schools party, and leave as tho only alternative no religious instruction whatever in schools? Was it honest? Was it ethical for any religious party to force this position upon the people of the country? ■ It was doing evil that good might come. The motion was carried. j EDUCATION RESERVES. The Hon. J, ALLEN moved that tho (amendments mado in the Education Reserves Amendment Bill bo agreed to.The motion was agreed to on tho voicc3. TAUMARUNUI HOSPITAL. 'The-Hon. R. H. RHODES, moved tho second reading.of tho Taumavunui Hospital District Bill. Tho Bill proposed to constitute a new hospital district, comprising part of tho Waikato Hospital district, now •.the biggest in New Zealand. . Mr. C. K. WILSON .(Tnuraaruniii) thanked the Minister for having brought down the Bill, which would give satisfaction to a large population in'the district. Mr. J. A. YOUNG (Waikato) supported the Bill, saying that it would pleaso not only the people of Taumaru-

nui, but the Waikato Hospital district. Mr. (J. W. RUSSELL (Avon) said the Bill was a departure from the established policy or equipping big base hospitals with branch institutions. The Hon. It." H. RHODES said that the present Waikato district was of such unwieldy size as , to be unworkable, and the change was being made on the recommendation of the Chief Meuical Officer. The Bill was read a second time, put through Committee, read a third time, and passed. NEW ZEALAND LOANS. The New Zealand Loans. Amendment Bill was put through Committee without amendment, read a third time, and passed. ' , WEST COAST NATIVE RESERVES. Tho Hon. W. H. HERRIES moved that the West Coast Settlement. Reserves Amendment Bill (read a second time pro forma) bo committed. The object of tho Bill, he said, was to enable certain partitions provided for by the Act of last year to be more effectively provided for. Generally, the' Bill was intended to promote settlement hy Natives on their own lands, and as it was recommended by Judges of the Native Land Court, he , had no hesitation'in asking the House to pass it. • The Bill was put through all stages and passed. . ' ' ■ ■ WAR CONTRIBUTIONS. The War Contributions Validation Bill (the Hon. J. Allen) to enable local bodies and other institutions to niako donations to patriotic and distress funds was put through all stages

and passed. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. The Hon. F. M. B. FISHER moved the second reading of the Friendly Societies Amendment Bill. He said that the Bill was asked for by the Societies to give them , power to remit contributions due by any of their members who may be serving with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, or who may have lo,st employment owing to the war. ' In short, it was designed to allow those members of Friendly Societies who remain here to help those who gj away to serve their King. The Bill was passed through all stages. MORTCACES EXTENSION SILL. The Hon; A. L. HERDMAN moved the second reading of the Mortgages Extension Amendment Bill (No. 2). The object of the Bill, he explained, was to allow the Government to sub-' pend or modify the Moratorium Bill during ' the recess. Circumstances might arise 'which rendered this ur-

gently , necessary, and as Parliament would not meet in the ordinary course for six months, and as it would be impossible to summon Parliament for the purpose, it was thought desirable that the Government should be allotted to deal with such an emergency. SIR JOSEPH WARD (Awarua) supported \the Bill, but ho said the very wide powers conferred upon the Government would'have t<) be yery carefully exercised. The Bill was put through all stages. ENEMY PATENTS. The Hon. A. L. HERDMAN moved the second reading of the Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Amendment' Bill, which, he. said, was ,to give the Government power by Order-in-Council to suspend any patent or license issued to any subject of an enemy State. The Bill was similar to that passed by the Imperial Parliament. '.. ...He-was advised that.some seventy or'seventy-three patents bad been issued.in New Zealand

to Austrian and German subjects, and also, he was sorry- to say, that very few. of them were of any.very great value. Mr.-W. A. VEITCH (Wanganuj) asked what the position would be with regard to patents owned partly by British subjects and partly by enemy subjects. If the interests'of the British" owners were properly protected, he was not concerned about the rights of the enemy. ■ • The Bill was put through all stages. BOROUGH BOUNDARIES. The Hon. J.' ALLEN moved the second reading of the Municipal! Corporations Amendment Bill, received from the Upper. House, providing for the taking of a poll to have borough boundaries altered. ' r ■. The Bill was put through all stages. REGISTRATION OF MASSEURS. The Hon. R. H. RHODES moved the second, reading of the Masseurs' Registration Bill, which, he said, had been j 1 asked for by those practising massage, and approved by the medical profession. Mere absence of registration would not prevent an ■untrained masseur from practising, but it would help the public to distinguish the trained from the untrained. Regulations, would be made under the Bill to provide for the tests antecedent to registration. The Bill was the outcome of a'conference between the

Inspector-General (Dr. Valintine) and the Medical Committee of the University, Senate. The Bill met with considerable opposition, it being pointed 'out that it would tend to create a close corporation. It was further urged that the Bill should have been, referred to a committee. , '■ Mr. A. E. GLOVER (A\ickland,Central) moved as an amendment that the Bill be read a- secpnd time that day six ■months. The House divided on the amendment, which was negatived by 31 votes to 25. The Bill was read a. second time and referred to a committee for consideration. The House rose at 0.35 a.m.