PARLIAMENTARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2042, 20 November 1907, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. I’rcsa Association. WELLINGTON, Nov. 19. Tho House resumed nt 7.30 last ovening. SUPERANNUATION BILL. Tho Premier, in moving tho second reading of tho Superannuation Bill, said it was intended to make provision for in round numbers somo GOOO employees of tho Government. Ho pointed out that for tho year 1859-GO to 1906-07 tho amount paid in gratuities reached £108,200, and compensation £250,002, total £338,297, and during tho same period ponsions amounted to £723,128, a grand total in round figures of £1,100,000. Last year £BOOO was paid in compensation, £BOOO in gratuities, and £26,000 in pensions. The total amount proposed to be paid into tho fund for tho purpose was £20,000 a year, and if a further amount was required Parliament would have power to grant tho Colonial Treasurer what was required. He contended that rates under tho Bill wero reasonable. Ho had received many applications from toachers asking that they could come under tho scheme, and ho proposed when in committee to insert a clause enabling tch.chers to take a ballot on the question of coming undor the scheme. If they agreed to that course then next session they would have to bring clown a short measure for that purpose. Ho also thought tho police should bo enabled to come under the Bill. It was preferable to have one superannuation scheme instead of a number.

Mr. Massey did not think it was altogether wise to compulsorily retire men at 60 or even at 65, as frequently men rat that age were well able to perform their duties and render good service to the State.

Tho Premier, referring to Mr. Massey’s suggestion for a universal scheme, stated he had circulated the Bill all over tho country last year dealing with annuities, and this had been well received by Friendly Societies.

Tho second reading was agreed to on the voices. In committee the Premier moved to amend the interpretation clause by inserting “permanent militia or other persons permanently employed in defence forces.” This was agreed to on flio voices.

Clause 25 provides that where a contributor dies whether before or after becoming entitled to the retiring allowance if ho leaves -a. widow there shall be paid out of the fund to the widow either an aimuity of £lB per annum or the amount of deceased’s contribution to the fund, less any sums received by him during his life term.

The Premier said if railway, employees were prepared to pay up the difference in contribution, amounting to 2 per cent, he was willing to make a similar provision for them. Mr. Hornsby said that- on behalf of 10,000 railway men he would accept the Premier’s proposal. A new clause was passed that if a clear majority of the police force are in favor the police provident fund shall be abolished, and monies transferred to the public service superannuation fund. ' A similar clause was -inserted in regard to teachers. A clause was added to enable employees of tho Manawatu railway to come under the Act on the lines already indicated.

Tho Bill with amendments was reported. SHEEP TAX. The House went into committee on the Stock Act- Amendment Bill. At clause 2, which remits the sheep tax, Mr. Hornsby moved that the clause be struck out. The Chairman ruled the- motion out of order. After midnight the Bill was reported. PACKET LICENSES. The House went into committee on the Packet License, Bill. Mr. Aitken moved an amendment to clause 4 to prohibit the sale of liquor to passengers. Tho amendment was rejected by 37 to 19

Air.’ Fisher moved an amendment prohibiting the sale or 'supply of liquor to tany officer or member of a crew. The amendment was negatived by 30 to 18. The Bill was reported unamended. BILLS PASSED. The Public Service Superannuation Bill, Stock Act Amendment Bill, and Packet License Bill were read a third time and passed. The House met at 2.30 to-day. GENERAL.

Amendments made by the Legislative Council to the Public Service Classification Bill, Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act Amendment Bill, and Public Health Act Amendment Bill were agreed to, with the exception of one proviso in the last- named.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. CHINESE IMMIGRANTS. On division Air. Rigg’s motion, to add “writing” to the educational test was lost by 11 to 3. Some discussion took place on the proviso to clause 3, which give a Chinese immigrant the right to appeal from the decision of the Collector of Customs who administered the educational test. Air. Rigg wanted to have the clause struck out. Tho Attorney-General stated he was not sure this Bill would not have to be reserved for Imperial assent. Gentlemen'of very wide experience had informed him that fresh legislation containing international principles was always reserved where ied some new departure on a previous Act. In view of these possibilities there was a better chance of the Bill receiving the Royal assent if the right of appeal were retained. The Bill was reported without amendment and passed. DIVORCE ACT AMENDMENT. Tho Attorney-General moved tho second reading" of the Divorce Act Amendment Bill. Til discussing the lunacy clause lie said a groat- deal was to bo said on both sides.< Air. Loughnan described the clause making lunacy a ground for divorce as an abomination which should be struck out. . Mr. Sinclair admitted thero was collusion between tho parties to divorce in many cases, but it was after separation had taken place. The repeal of tho section sought to bo swept away by tlie Bill would press most heavily on the woman. It meant “Before you. get divorce you must commit adultery.” ' Air. Collins .said .that if lunacy wore to be made a ground for divorce agitations would bo set on foot to have other diseases added ' to tlie list. In replying to this and other statements, the Attorney-General said the present- condition of things provided for. speedy and economical means of securing divorce. It amounted to divorco by mutual consent, which should not be. allowed. The Bill was read a second time. . In committee clauses 3 and 4 were struck out with a view to inserting the following as grounds for divorce: (1) That respondent has been convicted of tlie murder of a child of petitioner or respondent; (2) that respondent js a lunatic or person of unsound mind and lias been confined as such in an asylum for a period or periods of not less in the aggregate than 10 -years within 12 years. immediately preceding the filing of the petition, and that respondent is unlikely to recover from such lunacy or uils'ound-

ness of mind. After considerable discussion ■ the section was adopted by 12 to 10. The Bill was read a third time and

lassed. The Council resumed at 2.30 to-day GISBORNE HARBOR BILL.

Among numerous Local Bills put through tlieir second readings and committee stages was the Gisborne

Harbor Board Enabling Bill. AVAIPAWA BOROUGH. Tho AVaipmwa Borough Bill was adversely reported upon by tho Local Bills Committee, b'ut tho second reading was carried by 15 votes to 10. FACTORIES ACT. Tho Council decided to insist on its amendments to tho Factories.. Act Amendment Bill, which tho House disagreed with. ’