PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 26, 25 October 1917, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

THE STATE'S WATER POWER

SOCIAL HYGIENE BILL PASSED

THE COUNCIL

The Legislative Council met yesterday at 2,30 p.m.

Tha War Legislation Bill was read a firsc time and a second time pro forma, and referred to the Statutes .Revision Committee. SHOPS AND OFFICES AMENDMENT. The Shops and Offices Act Amendment Bill was further considered in committee. Tho Hon. J. Barr moved to add tho following new clause, to replace clause 2, struck out by the Council on the preceding day: "No woman or girl shall bo employed in or about a shop in which food and refreshment of any kind are provided and sold to the general public for consumption on the premises, after the hour of 10.30 o'clock on the evening of any day, provided that such woman or uirl may, with the written permission of the inspector of factories, obtained by the employer before 5 p.m. on that day, be employed after 10.30 p.m., but uoh more than thirty nights in any year, and in any case- not later than midnight. Before issuing such permission the inspector shall be satisfied that reasonable provision had been made for the safe return of the woman or girl to her place of residence. Employees working after 10.30 p.m. sh»H be paid time and a half or Dα. per hour, whichever was the greater. Mr. Barr said that this clause would not interfere with hotel or fruit-shops, and would not encourage the "living-in" system.

The Hon. W. Earnshaw said ho thought the marble bars and restaurants should close before midnight on Saturday nights. Sir Francis Bell said it would involve substantial public inconvenience to insist upon closing before midnight. The clause was adopted on the voices. A new clause inserted by the Statutes Revision Committee, defining a restaurant as "any place (other than a hotel) in which food or refreshments of any kindare provided and sold to Jio jv.'iicral publio for consumption on the premises." was struck out.

Tho Hon. J. MacGregor, speaking on the third reading motion, said he opposed the Bill altogether. ■ There was no just cause for interference with the marble bars.

Tho Hon. W. Earnshaw said the IMI as amended was a good one. Girls and women should not be kept working late at night. Ho hoped the time would come when the supper rooms would be closed at 11 p.m. It was not in tha public interest that young people should get into the habit of patronising these places late at night.

LOCAL BILLS. The «Napier Harbour Board Empowering and Vesting BUI (Hon. W. Morgan), tho Nelson Harbour. Board Empowering Bill (Hon. J. G. W. Aitken). the Whakatarie Harbour Board Amendment Bill (Hon. J. MacGregor), the Whangarei Harbour Board Vesting Bill (Hon. R. Moore), the Hawke's Bay Eivers Amendment Bill (Hon. W. Morgan), the Waimakariri Hnrbour District Amendment Bill (Hon. R. Moore), the Christchurch Milk Supply nnd Market Amendment Bill (Hon. J. Burr), the Wanganui Harbour Board Vesting Bill (Hon. G. Carson), and the Foxton Harbour Board Amendment Bill (Hon. J. G. W. Aitken), were read a eccond time, put through committee, aud passed.

Tho Council adjourned at 4.40 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. to-day.

THE HOUSE

The House of met at 2.30 p.m.

A Imgthy Bill dealing with Crown lands and endowments, validating certain transactions, conferring certain powers, and'providing for other matters, was introduced by Vice-Kegal Message. Answering a question, Mr. Massey stated that the Bill contained ]26 clauses, most of them being departmental. There would also be a Native "Washing-up" Bill to deal with various matters of concern to the Maoris.

The Bill was rend a first time and referred to the Lands Committee.' SHOPS AND OFFICES AMENDMENT. The House agreed to amendments mado by the Legislative Council in the Shops and Offices Act Amendment Bill, on tlm motion of Mr. A. H. Hindmarsh (Wellington South). WATER POWER DEVELOPMENT. The Hon. AV. PHASER, Minister of Public Works, moved the second reading of the State Supply of Electrical Energy Bill.' He said that it was a purely technical Bill, desigmd to procure a proper system oi accounts in connection with State water-power schemes. ' » The Bill was committed -without debate, and put through Committee within two minutes. ■ Mr. J. Payne (Grey Lynn) nrged tho House to realise the importance of the Bill which was a step towards commercialising tUe electrical energy, of kew Zealand. , Mr J. M'Combs (Lyttelton) said the object of the test of success in connection with water-power installations should bo the service rendered to the public, not , the accumulation of money in reserves. The'reserve and depreciation funds proposed in the Bill appeared to be sulfacicntly safeguarded. Mr E Newman (Eangitikei) suggested that' the Minister should consider favourably the proposal of a company to develop water-power on the West Coast of 'he South Island for the manufacture of nitrates Hβ agreed that all water-power should be owned by the State. But the State was not ready to proceed while the compaiiv would begin operations at once if allowed to do so. The State could reserve its right to resume tho works at a '"sir da il" G. Ell (Christchurch South) said the Minister had already laid down the sound principle that no private companies should be allowed to secure control of wafer-power, which was a national asset of enormous potentia value. Dr Thacker (Christchurch East) mentioned that the city of Christchurch had done the initial work of investigation and estimate in connection with the Lake scheme. The State had stepped in after the municipality had proved that the scheme would bo feasible and profitable, and the city's expenses ought to bo refunded. Tie urged the Government to extend tho use of electrical | The Hon. AV. Eraser, in renjy, said that one of the objects of tho Bill was to show precisely how low the charges for current could "be fixed. The intention of the Government was to make the installations 'of the greatest possible use to the public. . ~.,,. , The Bill was read a third time and passed.

LAND LAWS AMENDMENT. The Bt. Hon. W. F. MASSET (Prime Minister) moved tho second rendin" of the Land Laws Amendment Bill. He said it was mainly a technical Bill intended to overcome difficulties that had arisen in the course of administration. The Bill did not touch the tenure question at any point. The most important clause' dealt with tlto difficulty thnt had _ arisen under an old Act ontitling the New Plymouth Harbour Board to receive 2f> per cent, of the proceeds of the sale of Crown lands in the T.iranaki district. The Government was nowbuying Native lands for resale, and it would not be reasonable to pay the board one-quarter of the money received. The board did not claim this money. It would still receive its share of the proceeds of tho sale of ordinary Crown lands.

Mr. .T. ANSTEY (Wnitaki) suggested that. Mr. Massay should accept an amendmonl, of which the Hon. D. Buddo had given notice, that any renewal of the lease of Crown land should be subject to tho proviso, "provided he does not hold such an area of land as in the opinion

of the Land Board will provide him with a rcasonablo living." He did not Uiitok this proposal was contentious. Mr. Massey: Oh, yes. It is over the line!

Mr. Anstey said the present law compelled land boards to give renowals of leases to men who already hold large areas of freehold. One farmer in South Canterbury, \for example, had n big freehold farm capable of eub-division, and yet hold a Crown leasehold run, with right of renewal. This was not reasonable.

Hγ. G. FORBES (Hurunui) supported the amendment. He did not believe that any pi*rfy in Parliament favoured land aggregation. Men who had large holdings should not be allowed to take up the Crowtti rune, especially at a time when land was needed for returned soldiers.

Mr. A. H. HINDMARSH (Wellington South) said that lie had an amendment to propose, to tho effect Hint no man possessing land of ,£SOOO improved value should bo allowed to buy any additional land exceeding ten acres in area. The object of the. amendment was to ensure that Hio land should )k held in email areas, and made as productive as possible.

Mr. Massey, in Tcply, said that he did not doubt some aggregation of land was proceeding, but the evil was not pronounced. Thero were fifty cases of subdivision for every one of aggregation. The Government had been active with regard to soldiers' farms. The Government was already financing returned soldiers in the purchase of the farms of men called up for service. He realised the importance of providing small holdings in country districts, and had the matter in hand. Something had been said about -unearned increment. There was far more of this sort of profit in the towns than in the country. The settlement of bush country would be impossible unless the settlers received the full benefit of tho increased value created by their efforts. The Bill was read r. second time on the voices. The Bill w.ns committed forthwith. Mr. Hindmarsh moved the amendment of which he had Riven notice, and the amendment was debated with vigour and at 'some length. The amendment was lost on the voices. The Bill was reported with amendments, and the Bill was read a third time. SOCIAL HYGIENE BILL. STILL SOME OPPOSITION. The Social Hygiene Bill in Committee was next in order, but The ilon. G. W. Kussell moved that progress bo reported. He explained that a conference had beou held between members opposed to the Bill and himself, and it had beon agreed that the House should be asked to pass only those parts of the Bill not objected to. (Hear, hear.) When the House resumed an amended Bill lvould be introduced. in the House, The Social Hygiene Bill No. 2 w«s introduced by Message from the Gover-nor-General, mid rend a iirst lime. The Hon. G. W. RUSSELL said that all tho original Bill up to Clauso 20 had been withdrawn. Those portions remaining were those not regarded by honourable membors as compulsory in their action.

Sir. AYilford: You have the power to make regulations which make the Bill just as bad. Mr. Russell said that this was not m. There was no power to make rug" latiop.3' which , was not perfectly proper.

Mr. WIT/FORD said that however long it took him he would do his host to prevent the passage of that part of the Bill giving power to the Minister to make regulations providing for the establishment of lock hospitals all over New Zealand. He regarded government by 'regulation us a gross evil. The plain fact was that the Minister was ask'ing ■for power to do by regulation what, the House would not allow him to do by statnte. He would oppose those subclauses givinjr the Minister power to make regulations for the establishment and control of look hospitals, and for prescribing compulsory employment for persons detained in these hospitals. Tho Minister claimed urgency for the Bill, and he moved the seeond reading at once.

Mr, Wilford repented Iris objections at this stn!»e, TVu't other members who had attended tho conference, Mr. Harris ami Mr. M'Combs, did not agree with him that there was ground for continuing his opposition to~the Bill.. In reply to Dr. Newman, the Minister said thero was no intention of establishing venereal disease hospitals, and so branding a particular class of patients. It might be necpssnry to provide a special institution for advanced and hopelew cases.

After discussion the Minister agreed to accept minor amendments, and the 13iU was nut through Committee.

Mr. Tnssell, Knenltinj on . the third readinjr. snirl he hod tried to doa! with venereal disease solely from the. health point of view. He' was not ;)t----tnmptinir to recniin'te prostitution. His idea was to plnce medical treatment wilhin thr> renrh of any sufferer from vp'inrenl disease.

The Bill was passed, and the House rose at 1.5 a.m.