PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2217, 22 October 1907, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

AUCKLAND OYSTER FISHERIES

PROPOSED STATE CONTROL

(Special to Times). WELLINGTON. Oct. 21. The Minister for Marine’s proposal in regard to State control of tho oyster beds in tho Auckland district, which were announced by him several months ago, are embodied in the Sea Fisheries Bill which was circulated a few days ago. The Bill provides that the Government may employ pickers in connection with any oyster fishery in tho North Island, ■ and may also purchase or hire boats and implements in connection with the same industry. The Minister may cause the oysters to bo sold either "wholesale or retail, and for that purpose may acquire such premises as he considers necessary. The Premier may, from time to-time by Gazette notice, eet apart any oyster fishery or subdivision thereof in the North Island for the purposes of the Act. Every unauthorised person who takes oysters from any fishery so set apart shall be liable to ia- penalty not exceeding £lO. Tlio same penalty is also provided for any person who stocks paddocks or beds down rock oysters without a permit from a Collector of Customs or opens an oyster bed. The Governor-in-Council may make regulations prohibiting or regulating the possession of oysters during the close season, provided the oysters deposited during the oyster season in any freezing works or freezing chamber may be taken out for consumption during tho close season under a permit granted by & Collector of Customs or Inspector of Fisheries. SCAFFOLDING INSPECTION. Under the Scaffolding Inspection Act, passed last year, scaffolding under sixteen feet ill height was excepted from inspection. The Minister for Labor has now introduced an amending Bill removing this exception. Builders, however, will not require to notify an inspector before erecting a scaffolding under 16ft in height. Another now clause provides that ladders must extend at least sft above the highest point to which they give immediate access. Every lift used in erecting a building must bo fitted with an automatic catch of a design approved by the Minister. Tho joist of a building ill’ course of erection must bo boarded over as long as is necessary to protect workmen end others from accident. A breach or any ono of tho three first mentioned provisions is made punishable by a fine not exceeding £2O. . Accidents resulting in death or serious bodily injury are to be reported to an inspector who will mako inquiries and report to the Minister. ‘ Serious bodily injury” is to be deemed where there is any injury entailing incapacity for at least 48 hours. AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS IMPORTATION. A short Bill has been -introduced by the Minister for Labor to extend tho operation of the Agricultural Implements Manufacture, Importation, and Sale Act. 1905. Up to December 31, 1910, the clause which placed Britishmade implements on the same footing as those manufactured in New Zealand is to apply, according to the new Bill, to all agricultural implements made in the United Kingdom. LAZY LEGISLATORS. The House of Representatives has of late years got into a very slipshod method in connection with the taking of divisionsj and this session, particularly, there have been many mistakes and complaints. Members are supposed to go into the lobbies, but the Speaker -and Chairman of Committees are very lax in putting this rule into force. Frequently certain members remain in tlieir seats and ask other members to put thennames down. Sometimes of sleeping members are counted Ihe mattor was referred to in the House. Air. Rutherford mentioned that Ins name was not recorded on a recent list Ho had gone- into the lobby and had told Mr. Ell to put his name down, but it did not appear m the list Sir Joseph AVard asked that the names of Mr, Millar and Mr. Lawry who had been inadvertently locked out, should also be added to the list. The Speaker said Mr. Rutherford s vote would be recorded, but he could not agrffe to the Prenner’s request nn regard to Messrs Millar and Lawry. '’Complaint- having been made that the division lists were taken awav by the Government whips immediately after division, the Speaker ordered that in future they must, be on the table for half an hour or an hour.