THE HOUSE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 25, 24 October 1917, Page 7

THE HOUSE

EARLY CLOSING BILL DRINKS Wl/H i'A SUBSTANTIAL MEAL." The House of. Representatives met at '8.30 p.ta.' ; The Right Hon. ' W. I'. MASSEY (Pnc'c Minister) presented tile report of the Conference of Managers of the two Houses on the Sale of liquor Restriction Bill, and moved that the report be agreed to. . .

Mr. L. JI. ISITT (Christchurch North) said that the Temperance people had shown their desire to do the reasonable thing in connection with claims in dispute. /i'liey, were agreed that the demand made to have liquor with meals between the hours of fi and 8 p.m. should ■be recognised. Their only hesitation was as to the possibility of being able so to define a meal as to prevent the violation of the spirit of the Act. Mr'. Massey: I think the definition is ■wide enough; it says "a substantial evening meal." Mr. Isitt contended that it 6hould he ]aid down that the substantial evening • meal should be practically a dinner. It might be suggested that a round or • two of bread ana cheese was a substantial meal. He would suggest that the meal be one to cost not less than Is. 6(1. Mr. A. S. MALCOLM (Clutha) 6aid that in his opinion the Bill was not so good as when it left the House. When the House passed the Bill the proposal

was that nobody but a lodger should have tho right to obtain liquor after G p.m. Now it was suggested that anyone who liked to ho into an hotel and pay for a meal, whether he consumed it or not, could do so, -and consume liquor until 8' p.m. it seemed to him that they hyl lost the substance of early-closing wfiile they had kept tho shadow of it. lie regretted this alteration very much, and lie feared it might very materially discount the value of the Bill. If, however tho Trade, recognising that a concession had been given to them, respected the provisions scrupulously, there might not be very much harm done. But if the Trade abused tho privilege, and took advantage of it to move the bar to the dinitig-room between .the hours of six and eight, it was highly probable that tho people would resent this conduct so keenly that they would wipe tho Trade out at the earliest opportunity. Mr. A. HARRIS (Waitemata) also expressed fears as to the effect of the new proposals. " The Right Hon. W. P. MASSE! said that he thought thero was no reason for fear or alarm. It had been said that peoplo would go into hotels and pay for ail evening meal they did not • desire to eat, and that they would do tliis in order to bo allowed to, consume liquor. Ho had, nevor met people willing to follow 'a practice by which they would pay four times the real value of the liquor to be consumed. His own opinion was that the amendment that had been made would go a long way towards preventing irritation such'as might have been caused by the Bill as it left tho House. Ho believed that after a few months' experience of (his clause they would find that the right thing had been done. He thought this clause would conduce to tho smooth working of tho Bill when it became law. The. motion was agreed to. WAR LEGISLATION . . AN EXPLANATION OF THE • BILL The Hon. A. L. HERDMAN (AttorneyGeneral) moved the second reading pf the War Legislation Amendment, Bill, which, he said, contained a collection of proposals for alterations in the law rendered necessary by the war. He explained the proposals m tho Bill in detail, deferring to the clauses relating to the powers and Tights of alien' enemies in re6pect to land, ho said that the Court had held recently that aliens could acquire land in this country, hut that tney could not hold it as against tho Grown. This Bill would provide a means whereby the Crown could obtain the cession of land held by aliens. This did not apply to naturalised aliens, or to alien friends. Referring to all the clauses in detail, be said that the object.of the ■ clause empowering the Government to take land and buildings required in war time for .any public purpose , was to enable the Government, should it so , decide, to take land and buildings for such purposes as the carrying on of certain businesses and manufactures, as, for instance, the opening of State butchers shops. Regarding the proposal to prohibit or restrict unessential tnterprise, he said that a considerable mount ot money was being invested in picture shows throughout Isew Zealand. in Efficiency Board considered that the investment of n j 011 , 65r -Liß in such enterprises, was not deslrable in war time, and the power to prevent it.. The National Effi ciency Board also pointed out that ( a •great waste of effort occurred in the <1 livery of milk. A being, in--1 &srted to empower the Government to make regulations to prevent waste of time, and effort in the delivery of milk and other commodities. There were many people in New Zealand who were doing.no work,' and the Government thought it" should . have the right to call ! a man who was an idler before a Magistrate, and Tequire him to show cause why he should not go to useful work. I A clause to provide for this was inserted in the Bill. Explaining the clause providing for the employment of women in men's occupations, he said that one of the occupations at which women nufpt work, but at which tho law would not .allow them to work was that of lift-at-tendants. This was work that women might very weTl do in war time, and he hoped the Labour people would not ol> ject to the clause.,. , Mr. Webb: Will women get equal pay •with men for equal work? Mr. Herdman: I should think so. Mr. Webb: Will you put it in the Bill? Mr. Herdman: I will give it my most careful consideration. Mr. G. WITTY (Riccarton) said that the Bill was so important that if it hod come down two months earlier it would not have gone through the House in a fortnight. He thought that the provision for the prohibition or restriction of picture shows had come too late—after 'all the picture, shows required-had been built. He objected to the proposal to retain Civil Servants after tne retiring age, because, as he said, it would prevent men in the lower grades from get-, ting deserved promotion. ' Mr. H. G. ELL (Christchurch South) said that many of the clauses in the Bill would be generally approved, especially those for the granting of protection to soldiers unable to fulfil contracts, and for the establishment of scholarships for the children-of soldiers. Mr. R. W. SMITH (Waimarino), who is an owner of sawmills, expressed satisfaction with the provisions of the Bill for the protection of timber-cutting rights in war time. Operations were in these days hampered very much by lack

°f nien, and also by tho fact that many nulling requisites were unprocurable. A. H. KINDHAIiSH (Wellington South) said he would propose certain alterations in the clause dealing with rents. The defect in the legislation now in force was that the landlord could charge 8 per cent. 011 the capital value of 11 property. 111 making a valuation it was the custom of valuers to make allowance for the high increases in tho cost of all building materials, and for tho general keen demand for property in Wellington. On a valuation made in this way 8 pex cent, might amount to a very high rental. Ho would suggest that the valuation on which tho S per cent, be computed be that prior to August i, 191-}. Keferring to the passport system in New Zealand, he said that ho did not think it worked fairly. He would like to see provision made for appeal to a Magistrate or Judge from the decision of the Minister. Ho cited tho <aso of a Canadian resident who had been. held here, while "that great shirker Watt, the racing man," had been ullowed to leave New Zealand..

The Civil Servants. Mr. -T; M. WILFOEJD (Hutt) said that after 40 years of service a' Civil Servant reached the limit of superannuation. Men who wero required to postpone their retirement on superannuation under the olauses of tho Bill should either be relieved of further contributions to the Superannuation Fund or bo given credit for the additional contributions. Mr. .r.' A. YOUNG (Waikato) said the clauses relating to the Civil Service would require to bo handled carefully. He was glad tho Government had provided at; last for the employment of enemy aliens and' for tho .utilisation of labour for national purposes. It was ■ not reasonable that a. reservist who had been declared unfit for military service should bo allowed to return to .1 i onessential industry when tlioro .was a shortage of labour in essential industries. Dr. A. K. NEWMAN (Wellington East) ■approved of tho clauses relating to enemy aliens. Too much consideration had been shown to-persons of alien birth and blood. These peoplo sometimes wero entirely out; of sympathy with the British cause. Tho proposal to delay tho retire, ment of Civil «ervan(s on superannuation would involve hardship by causing stagnation in promotion. Tho Government was proposing to lake wido powers in regard to the Tegulatftm of the d>s-. tribution of goods. Was it intended to allow only 0110 milkman, one baker or ono doctor ill a particular district.-! Iho proposals ill this reaped: minimi very. careful consideration. ■ Mr. .r. PAYNE (Grcv Lynn) demanded an eye for an eyo aiid a tooth for atooth in all- dealings with persons of German or Austrian blood, the enemy nations had forfeited all right to generous treatment. . Mr J. M'COMBS (Lyttelton) found many faults with the Bill. He said that ho would opposo the sub-clause under which it was proposed that women should replace men in work unless it was provided that the women should receive tho same''remuneration as the men they rePl }Ir. d 'j. V. BROWN (Napier) also argued for equal pay for women 'as for men when doinjr the same work. 1 Mr. P. C. WEBB (Grey) said that the Mines Committee would never have agreed to the clause providing for the splicing of winding ropes in gold mi no;, but that it had been represented to them that unless repairs to ropes were allowed many of the gold mines would have to' close down.

. Naturalised Enemies, Mr. R. A. WRIGHT (Wellington Sub-, urbs) said he believed some ol the nation's most dangerous and treacherous enemies were naturalised British subjects. The Bill provided asrainst the purchase of land by enemy aliens, but •t did not touch the ease of the naturalised enemy. .Ho Hoped that the proposed bursaries for soldiers ■ children would 'be liberal,, and that use would be made of the provision authorising the Government to acquire sports grounds in commemoration of the services of the soldiers and sailors during the present A. WALKER (Duncdin North) areued in favour of equa. pay for equal work wliero women were employed m substitution for men. The Bill should not be uped to provide cheap labour tor any employers, ■ Mr. \\ T . A. VEITCH (Wanganui) 'said it was bad enough that persons of enemy alien birth should be allowed to buy the farms of soldiers. It was innnitely worse that such persons should bo allowed to hold commissions in the New Zealand Forces, and even occupy positions of responsibility. The uovflrnment showed far too much regard for persons of enemy birth. A tailor carrying on business in "Wanganui owed money to an enemy firm now in the hands of the Public Trustee, who had actually issued a distress warrant against the man. The tailor had been gravely embarrassed by this effort of a State Department to collect money on behalf of an enemy firm. *ir. Veitch said he disapproved of the proposal to make the Labour Department responsible for dealing with improper increases of rent. The Department was not at present an organisation likely to assist workers.

Tile Attorney-General, iu reply, said that the cost of living had always been a fruitful field for the politician. People would' always want to buy cheaply and sell dearly. "With regard to the Bill generally, ho did not believe that members had a full appreciation of the difficulties that had to be faced by • tho Government in the management of public affairs at tho present tiiuo. All the Departments had suffered from the withdrawal of large numbers of young men for tha Army, and the retention in the service of older and experienced men was in tho interests of the public. War regulations were necessary for the defence of New Zealand, the protection of the public, and the successful prosecution of tho war. Tho regulations operating in this country were less sweeping than those adopted in tho United Kingdom, where there was power to arrest and hold without trial a British subject with enemy associations. The House went into Committee on the Bill at 10 p.m. Eeplying to Mr. J. M'Combs (Lyttelton) the Attorney-General said he would make provision, that Civil Servants retained in the service after the retiring ago should not be required to contribute to tho Superannuation Fund. The Civil Servants ought not to object to remaining at-work a year or two longervj in time of war. Mt. W. Nosworthy (Ashburton) said that Mr. Sidey (Diinedin South) had given notice of an amendmeut to introduce "daylight saving" by an addition to the present Bill. What was the attitude 'of the Minister on this subject?' Mr. Herdman: I do not propose to take any notice of it. Ml'. P. _C. Webb (Grey) demanded an opportunity to discuss war regulations generally, and said that the Prime Minister had promised a day for this purpose. Mr. Massey: "I absolutely deny that." Host of the members were an.xious to close .the session as soon as possible, and Ministers had large accumulations of work waiting for their attention. Mr. W. A. Veitch (Wanganui) said tho Government had no right to violate a contract entered into with Civil Servants regarding' retirement on superannuation at certain dates. Mr. Herdman said the Civil Servants were deprived of no rights. They -were asked simply to continue in tho service for a certain period beforo retirement, in view of tho necessities created by the war. Their rights to pension would bo fully protected. Dr. E. K. Newman (Wellington East) said there was no doubt the retention of senior Civil Servants would inflict hardship, by delaying promotion. Mr. Herdman said the matter had been most carefully considered. Some Civil Servants miglit suffer hardship by having their promotion delayed, but the Interests of tho. State in time of war demanded that certain men should bo retained in the service. The slight sacrifice to he made by some public servants was nothing compared to the sacrifice tho soldiers were making and to the national interests to "be served. Mr. L. M. Tsitt (Christchureh North) said if the State had a right to ask certain men to sacrifice large incomes and pleasant prospects in order to fight for the nation, it need not hesitate lo ask Civil Servants to make a relatively small sacrifice by postponing for a year or two their retirement 011 superannuation. Dr. Newman said (hot tho position of naturalised alien enemies was ontirely unsatisfactory. Some nf these men were disloyal to Britain, and yet they en-

joyed all tho privileges of citizenship. Thero wero Germans holding high positions in trado and commerce, and possessing information that was denied to the general public. They "held all positions from members of Parliament downwards. The Defence authorities refused to take into the Forces men who wero given all the privileges of British subjects because their parents wero naturalised. The situation demanded romedy. There was a strong feeling in tho country in favour of some amendment to the law.

Mr. called a division on the clause authorising the Government #to retain police officers after the retiring, age. The clause was retained by 40 votes to 6. A provigo was added, on the motion of the Attorney-General, protecting the superannuation rights of Public Servants retained in the service beyond the normal superannuation date. A division was taken also on the clause empowering the Government to. retain any Civil Servants after retiring age, and this clause also was retained by 40 votes to 6. Sir. J. M'Combs moved an amendment to Clause 31, which validea all regulations already made "under the War -Angulations Act, 1914. He proposed to except from the validation certain portions of the Regulations of December, 1916, relating to the offence of publishing words Jmving "a seditious tendency. The amendment was rejected by votes to 5. ~!• Mr. A. H. Hindmareh sought to insert an amendment to provide that offences for breaches of tho war Regulations should bo tried by 4 a Judge ot the Supreme Court, and not by a Magistvatc.The amendment was defeated by 37 votes fo 6. . On the clause relating to tho replacement of men workers in industry by women, Mr. "Webb moved to insert a proviso in tho clauso that women should receive tho eamo rates of pay <is tho men {Key replaced. Tho amendment was rejected by SO votes to 12. Ilv* Prime Minister moved to add a new clauso to empower local bodies to borrow money to provide work for discharged soldiers without taking a poL of the ratepuyers. ■ Tho clause was added to the Bill. tlnofiier clause was added to extend tho time within which a local body' may

exorcise an authority to borrow given. by a ■ poll of ratepayers, which initliority has not elapsed at the passing of-the Act, to two years after the end of the war, Mr. Sidoy $d not rnovo bis Daylight Saving Amendment. The Bill was reported from Committee with amendments, find read a third iimo after a little talk l>y Mr. M'Cojrabs and Mr. Webb. The House rose at 1.15 a.m.