Parliamentary.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 11 October 1901, Page 4

Parliamentary.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION). MIDLAND RAILWAY. The House met at 2 30, when on the motion of Mr Seddon it was decided that the Public Accounts Committee should he directed to report on the petitions of the debenture holders and shareholders of the Midland railway and that the report of the Royal Commission on the Midland railway be deferred to that committee for the purpose of enabling the Committee to decide in respect to these petitions. AMMUNITION FOR VOLUNTEERS. In reply to questions Mr Seddon stated that it was the intention cf the Government to give an increase of ammunition to Volunteers and Kiflo Clubs of the colony, the Government being of opinion that the colony could afford the extra allowance. POLICY BILLS. The House resumed at 7 30. The Fisheries Encouragement Bill was introduced and read a first time. The Cornwall Park Duties’ Exemption Bill was read a second time. THE FACTORIES’ BILL. The Factories’ Bill was committed. iVir. G. J. Smith held that railway workshops and factories should come under the Factories’ Act. Mr. Seddon said the objection to this was ihc constitutional objection that under this Bill the owner or occupier of premises could be ordered to expend money. If Government shops were brought under the Act they would see funny things happening, namely—a Government servant (Inspector of Factories), ordering his Ministers to spend money.

A motion by Mr. Smith to bring Government factories within the scope of the bill was ruled out of order as involving expenditure on the part of the Crown.

Mr. Seddon said he would bo willing to accept an amendment which would give inspectors power to inspect Government factories and workshops, and report. -As a matter of fact lie said they were do ng so already. A motion to strike out sub-section of clause 18 which provides for 45 hours per week for women and young persons was negatived. Clause 28 was amended to provide that payment of wages shall be made in full at not more than fortnightly intervals. In reply to enquiries Seddon said the Government would see if they could arrange for the payment of railway hands fortnightly or weekly, if the cost was not too great. A now clause proposed by G. j. Smith applying generally the provisions of the the Bill to premises occupied by Government was negatived by 28 to 8. The Bill was reported with amendments, which was agreed to, "and the House rose at 4 35 a.m.