PARLIAMENTARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2184, 13 September 1907, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

Press Association. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tho Legislative Council mot at 2.30 l> ' a ' A MEDICAL MATTER. Mr. Beehan moved: —“That the attention of tho Government bo called to a notice in the British Medical Journal of 13th July, 1907, circulating in New Zealand, to the following effect: ‘Appointments Vacant.— Wo.rning Notice. —Medical practitioners are requested not to apply for appointments in connection with clubs or other forms of contract practice in any of the towns or districts mentioned in tho following table, or for any of the poor law and other appointments named, without first communicating with tho honorary secretary of the division or branch whoso name is given in tho second column of the table, or with the me- ' dual secretary of tho British Medical Association, G Oatherino-street, Strand, W.C.’” The rnnno in tho second column is -D-\ Tracy Inglis, lion, secretary Auckland division N.Z. Branch,

“Nimuieil,” Ponsonby-road, Auckland. .Ur. Beehan said this had been going on for the past four or five years. H :> went into tilio history of tho d;ispu‘o between tho Friendly Societies r d the British 'Medical Association, a i d explained that tho latter had osti.seised medical men taking the position at the Friendly Societies’ Dispensary. The-Medioal Institute membership was 800, and the salary offered wis £4OO and certain fees. The a: rociation considered that it would involve attendance at the rate of 10s p r member, and notified that any nrdical man accepting would be ostr seised by that body. .Mr. Beehan pointed out that only 1 to 2 per cent, of the members i would require raediCO I attendance, and he urged that something should be done to piotect friendly societies from tho attitude taken up by the Medical Association. The Attorney-General said this was a matter over which the Government had no control, and it would bo a dangerous thing for the State to step in and by a coercive law interfere with those who were trying to make the best bargain possible. The ventilation of tho -subject would doubt-

less be beneficial, and personally lie would do bis best to ovorcomo tho friction between tho two bodies. The motion was carried. BOXING CONTESTS. The Attorney-General moved tho second reading of tho Polico Off on cob Act Amendment Bill, passed by the House for tho better control of boxing contests. —Ca cried. PROTECTING INFANT LIFE. Air. Jones resumed tho dobato on Dr. Collins’s motion respecting the preservation of infant life, and dealt with various sociological phases of the question. There should be proper inspection of homes and milk. He was opposed to tho barrack system of treating children, as home lifo was essential. Ho contended that something ought to bo done for workers who got nothing from the State but the right to live. He suggested that the State should donate a sum of money to each child horn of paronls receiving a lure living wage. The money should bo put in a savings bank for tho benefit of tho child. He admitted that the whole question was full of difficulties, but thero should bo ways to overcome them.

Dr. Collins, replying, expressed appreciation of tho way in which tho subject- had been taken up by tho Council and tho Press of tho colony. Ho said lie would like to see homes placed under the Inspector-General of Hospitals, and medical men appointed to them. At present medical men called in had no certainty of being paid, and that was not a right position. Registration was necessary, much earlier than was at present demanded, and in cities should bo within three days, If it were possible to prevent unsuitable marriages tlie lot of girls would lie mitigated. Ho thought it might be possible to have a certificate of health issued to people about to marry, although this would not prevent marriages. It would let each of the parties know the condition of health of the other. He did not. agree with tho suggestion to sterilise milk except, in hot weather, because there was something ill the milk which was destroyed by sterilisation. it was essential, however. to see that milk came from a healthy cow, and was retained in a state of purity until consumed. The motion was carried. V MUNICIPAL BILL. Tho Rotorua Town Bill was reported from Committee With verbal amendments. Tho Council rose at 5.16 p. m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. “DOMINION DAY.” The Premier intimated that lie intended to ask Parliament to proclaim September 26tb as a public holiday to celebrate the change from “colony” to “Dominion.” THE TARIFF. Tho House went into Committee on the Tariff Bill.

TEA DUTIES. Schedule B was taken. At clause 4, tea in bulk, viz., in packages 51b or over net weight in tea, Air. Janies Alien moved to substitute lib for 51b. After a lengthy discussion on similar lines to the discussion in Committee of -AYays and Aleans, the amendment was negatived by 40 to 25. INSECTICIDES AND FUNGICIDES. Air. Alassey moved an amendment to place insecticides on the freo list. He said these were required for the .purposes of keeping down pests, and had hitherto been oil the free list. Air. ALilla.r said the whole of the drugs required for the manufacture of insecticides were now oil tho free list, and he was assured that effective insecticides could be manufactured in the colony equal to any imported. Air. Alassey said ho had been approached by a number of orehardists, who 'pointed out that the duty of 20 per cent-, would bo a serious handicap to them in keeping their orchards free from pests. Air. Barber in supporting tho amendment urged that tho Government should nimiifacturo insecticides and fungicides, and distribute them at cost price. He suggested that Air. Alasse-- should include fungicides in •liis amendment. Air. Millar said that if the amendment were drafted to confine itself to insecticides for agricultural and horticultural uses he would accept it. Air. Alassey subsequently altered the amendment to read: “Insecticides for agricultural and horticultural uses 'or tree washes.” Air. Millar then accepted the amendment, which was added to the schedule.

MAGIC LANTERN SLIDES. Mr. Millar moved an amendment to place slides for magic lanterns on the free list, which was agreed to. AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY. At clause 12, agricultural machines and implements not otherwise enumerated, Mr. Witty urged that the Minister should make it plain that parts of reapers and binders and mowing machines could be imported free, as the expense was not in the mu chines themselves, hut in the renewal of pants. Mr. Buddo moved an amendment to place on the free list all parts necessary for repairs. Mr. Massey,,as a prior amendment, moved to place all mu cl tines and implements for agricultural purposes on the free list. This, he said, was in

nccordance with the provisions of the old Act. Mr. Millar, in opposing the amende ment. said hundreds of pounds had been lost- to the revenue through machines and appliances being imported as agricultural machines, which were not strictly so, but were used by farmers for general purposes. His object was to admit free all machines used solely for agricultural purposes. Mr. Massey urged that the intention of the Act of 1900 should bo adhered to. He pointed out that under the present framing of the clause the definition of what was agricultural machinery rested solely with the Minister of Customs. This should not lie, but it should bo clearly defined by law. Tho amendment was negatived by 43 to 23. The Minister moved an amendment to include parts required for repairs on tile free list. This was agreed to. The Houso adjourned at 5.30 p.m.