PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3134, 12 July 1917, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY

AMENDMENT BY A LABOUR

MEMBER

REINFORCEMENTS AGAIN

The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. hi the absence of tho Speaker tho chair was taken by the Hon. 0. Samuel, on tho motion, of Sir Francis Bell.

A report of the Joint l'.rintinjf and De. bates Committee regarding the issue and preparation of Hansard was presented to the Council. Tho committee recommended that 25 copies of Hansard should be supplied to each member of tho Louse of Representatives and fivo copies to each member of the Council. It made suggestions also for the curtailment of reports of debates in certain directions. A full shorthand note was to be made, but the reports were to be "judiciously" condensed, except in the c#se of the more important debates.

The Hon. W. HALL-JONES said that tho reports required careful consideration. The "judicious condensation" of reports might be a ve!'y serious matter. The report was 6et down for coiiuideration on the following Wednesday.

ELECTION OF COMMITTEES. . Tho sessional committees of the Council were elected. SIR FRANCIS BELL gave notice to move that the Council should place on re. cord its regret at the resignation of the Hon. Sir Henry Miller. ACTING SPEAKER. SIR FRANCIS BELL informed the Council that under the orders of medical advisers the Speaker of the Council, the Hon. C. J. Johnston, had been ordered to secure treatment that would not ho provided in this country. His absence had necessarily been at short uotke, ai:d the war regulations relating to the mtvenients of ships had made it impossible for an announcement to be made regarding the Speaker's movements. The Sneaker had expressed his wish to resign his .iffiee before leaving the country, but Sir Francis Bell, supported by the Hon. W. C. F. Carncross (Chairman of Committer) had felt that this would not be 'Hie desire of members. They had persuaded the Speaker to retain office during lis unavoidable absence, and it would now bo necessary to make temporary arrangements.

Sir FRANCIS BELL moved: "That during the absence of the Speaker from New Zealand tho Chairman of Committees should be Acting-Speaker, and that the Hon. 0. Samuel should be Acting. Chairman of Committees." The motion was carried. The lion. W. C. F. CARNCROSS moved: "That the Council should record its regret at the illness of the Speeker, and should assure him that.no public inconvenience would be suffered during his temporary absence." The motion was carried. CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES. Tho Hon. W. C. F. Carn'cross was re-elected Chairman of Committees, on tho motion of Sir Francis Bell, seconded by the Hon. W. Hall-Jones. JURIES ACT AMENDMENT The Juries Act Amendment Bill, introduced by the Hon! J. M'Gregor, was read a first time. The Bill provided that in criminal cases the verdict of three, fourths of the members of a jury should be taken as the verdict of the jury in tho event of failure to agree. The Council adjourned at 3.5 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. to-day.