PARLIAMENTARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2213, 17 October 1907, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Press Association. WELLINGTON, Oct. 16. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. A WAGES QUESTION. Mr. Paul asked the Attorney-Gen-eral whether his attention had been drawn to tile article published in tlio Evening Post from its Feilding correspondent, in which it was stated that'the Arbitration Act caused a certain manager to pay wages far beyond the value of tho labor, thereby making it impossible to continue manufacturing. Dr. Findlay replied that tho Labor Department had made inquiries, but failed to obtain any information whatever. The Government was led to believe that the ease must he of a very trifling character. COAL MINES ACT.

The Coal Mines Act Amendment Bill (containing the principle of what is known as the “bunk-to-bank” clause) was committed. Before tlio motion to go into committee was carried, Mr. Sinclair said he had to oppose the Bill, because it was an interference with the functions of one of our courts of justice; Ho did not intend to say one word against the “bank-to-bank” clause,, as he was a director of one of the largest coal companies in the country, and therefore he felt that he could not be an impartial critic. If tho “bank-to-bank” clause were adopted, miners in at least one mine on tho West Coast would be paid for eight hours where the actual time worked at a “face” would be 6hrs 40mins. Tlio clause further interfered with an award delivered by the Arbitration Court. He hoped tho Council would say, “We have appointed an Arbitration Court and we cannot interfere with it.” Air. Paul said Parliament was above any Court. If Mr. Sinclair’s contention regarding interference with the Arbitration Court or other Court was correct, then half the legislation on tho Statute Book should he repealed. . _ A long debate ensued, in wnicli Air. Rigg took a somewhat similar view, and supported the Bill, as did several oilier members.

The Hon. Captain Tucker opposed the Bill in’ its present form. At 4.45 p.m. the debate was adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. In reply to questions the Alinister stated that it was not proposed to introduce legislation this session dealing with the sale of New Zealand wines; that it is not the intention of the Government to introduce legislation abolishing the Grand Jury system; that tho matter of extending the' benefits of the grant for swimming. so as to include children in Standard 4, will receive due consideration at next revision of the regulations for manual and technical instruction ; that it- was not proposed to submit a Bill for alteration of the law this session to provide for a fixed minimum wage for teachers; that information of the results of the trials made on the East Coast by the. trawler Nora Niven will not he published until the trawling operations arc completed, but an interim report can now' be given on th© first three months work, the second three months’ not being completed until December 4th; that it was not intended to introduce an amendment to the Loans to Local Bodies Act to enable local bodies to borrow sums necessary for the prosecution of local .works, unlimited loans to local bodies would not be possible without great injury to the Dqmniion’s finances; that the suggested conversion of packet licenses was now receiving the consideration of tho Government, , NATIONAL ENDOWAIENT BILL. The National Endowment Bill was reported from the Lands Committee. The schedule showing the acreage of each district to he set aside for tho purposes of the Act has been struck out. Clause 12 of the Bill gives the Treasurer power to issue up to £50,000 a year for road formation, etc., on national endowments to facilitate the settlement of land. The committee lias inserted an amendment providing that all sums so expended, with interest not exceeding 41 per cent, shall be a first charge on the national endorvinent account and payable out of that account.