Parliamentary.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 4 November 1901, Page 3

Parliamentary.

(per press association.)

The Legislative Council. THE FACTORIES BILL.

Wellington, Nov. 2,

When the Council met at eleven, the Factories Bill was further considered in committee. The minimum annual increase in weekly wage of boy and girl apprentices was raised from two to three shilllings, and the clause was carried by 18 to 4.

At clause 31 a proviso was added on Hon. Jenning’s motion to the effect that nolhing in the act shall prevent persons being employed on one evening of the week (excluding Saturday), for the pur pose of printing and publishing a weekly newspaper.

The Council resumed at 7.30. The Factories Bill was further considered in Committee. The recommendation of the Labor Bills Committee that clause 30 (penalty for death or injury of employee) was not agreed to. In claut-e 18. the Labor Bills Committee recommended that exemption of certain industries such as freezing works, dairy factories etc. be struck out, but the Council declined to agree to this. The Bill was reported and put through the final stages at 11.26. House of Representatives. RAILWAY CLASSIFICATION BILL. Sir J. G. Ward moved the second reading of the Government Railways Department Classification Bill. He gave the figures showing the immense increase in the Department since it was taken over from the Railway Commissioners and urged that the Government was justified in making the increase in salaries and wages proposed in this Bill. In round figures the wages of the employees of the Department were by this Bill being permanently increased to the extent of thirty thousand pounds a year. The basis of increases was of tbc fairest possible kind and he believed it -would be of great benefit to the service. It was generally accepted by both divisions as satisfactory. After a brief deba'ethe second reading was agreed to on the voices. The Government Railways Department Classification Bill passed through committee practically without amendment. Later in the evening the bill passed its final stages. ALL NIGHT SITTING. At 855 a m the House adjourned till ten a m. ADDRESS TO EDWARD VII. Mr Seddod moved a resolution copveying an address to the King congratulating him on the safe return to England of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. Several members objected to what was described as the fulsome terms of the address, and Pirani moved that part of the resolution be struck out. This was lost after considerable discussion by 27 to 18, and the resolution as brought down by the Premier was agreed to on the voices. Mr Scddon moved that the amendments made by the Legislative Council on the Conciliation and Arbitration Act Amendment Bill be agreed to. He regretted that the Bill had been so amended as to practically cripple Conciliation Boards which was a serious departure from the policy of the Government and he moved the motion under protest.

MAORI LAND ADMINISTRATION. The Maori Lands Administration Act Amendment Bill passed its final stages, and at 12 £lO d, m the House adjourned till 2 30 on Monday.