LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ACT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 3, 29 September 1920, Page 8

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ACT

OPERATION TO BE FURTHER' POSTPONED f MORE ABOUT INDENTURED LABOUR The Attorney-General told the Legislative Council yesterday that he intended to move to suspend further the operation of the Legislative Council Act, 1914, making the Upper House elective on a basis of proportional representation; The Act will not operate until a date to be fixed later by Order-in-Counoil. When the House of Representatives met yesterday afternoon, the Prime 'Minister made an important statement regarding the trouble at the coal mines. He reported that the State miners had stopped again for a trivial .cause. Cabinet had decid&l that if the men did mot resume work within three days, and then continue to work with reasonable expedition, all operawould cease until further notice. The mine in the meantime would remain closed. ~ri? The Labour whip, Mr. M'Oomb's, challenged the right of Jlr. Wilford to the title and place of Leader of the Opposition, on the ground that the Liberal leader had been elected by only seven members. The Speaker stated that ho had been duly informed of the elevation of Mr. Wilford to the leadership of the ■Opposition, and he would recognise that status until evidence to the contrary was placed before him. The Master and Apprentice Bill was passed by the House after Labour inem- . bers had protested once more against the terms proposed for the apprenticeship of British boys to New Zealand farmers. The committee stage of the Treaties of Peace Bill, continuing the existing system of administration in Samoa, occupied members until late at night, tho issue of Indentured labour being raised again. The speakers went over much well-trodden ground.