GOVERNMENT MEASURES.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 5 July 1901, Page 2

GOVERNMENT MEASURES.

The first batch of what may be termed the smaller Bills of the Government proposals have been introduced to the House. The proposals are many and varied:

Tiie Expoetation of Aemy Bill gives the Governor, by proclamation, power to prohibit the exportation of material of war to any country wherever such action is deemed expedient.'

The District Coubts' Amendment Bill enables prisoners, who have pleaded guiltj- in a minor Court, to be committed to the District Court for sentence.

The Police Offences Amendment Bill proposes to include in the definition of idle and disorderly persons—those who habitually consort with reputed thieves or prostitutes or, persons who have no visible means of support.

Chinese Immigrants Act Amendment Bill casts on master of vessel having any Chinese on board that the responsibility of seeing when the vessel departs none of the Chinese portion of the crew or passengers remain in the colony unless they have paid the poll tax.

Injurious Trades Bill, which Mr. Hornsby has introduced to prevent the employment of women in dangerous trades, is of considerable interest to the laboring classes. It prevents the employment of any woman worker in match factories where other than amorphon phosphorus is used in the dipping room of any match factory, as linotype operators, or at any works where lead in any form is manufactured, used, or dealt with; as wool combers and in alkali works. Woman workers arc also to be prohibited from employment at any industry which in the judgment of the Public Health Officer may prove prejudicial to their health and well-being. Aggrieved employers have the right to appeal to the Arbitration Court. Drastic penalties arc provided for abroach of the i Act.