PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2303, 23 September 1908, Page 1

PARLIAMENT.

[Punas Association.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. AFTERNOON SITTING. WELLINGTON, Sept. 22

The Council met nt 2.130 p.m. Tlu> Attorney-General moved the third reading of the Second. Ballot Bill, pointing out that seamen were not disfranchised at the cscoiul ballot under the new proposals. Strong objection was taken to the “gag” clause by Hons. Carncross, Bo ugh nan, Paul, Samuel, O’Rourke, Jones, Cainan, Luke, and ltigg. the last-named moved as an amendment that the Bill bo re-committed to reconsider clause 19. Thu Attorney-General took strong objection to the amendment, and claimed l that -it "was an attempt to kill the Bill, lie contended that tho consensus of opinion whs in favor of tho clause, wluch was absolutely necessary to give effect to tho principle of the Bill. It was an attempt at honest Liberalism, lie asked Councillors who desired to recognise this to pass tho third reading. Tho third reading was passed on a division by 16 votes to 15. , Tho Wellington and 'Manawatu Pailway Purchase Bill was reported from committee unamended. The second reading of the Inspection of Machinery Amendment Bill was agreed to, and the Council adjourned till 7.30 p.m. EVENING - SITTING. Tho Council resumed at 8 p.m. The second reading of the Public Bodies Leases Bill was agreed to, after members had criticised tile restricted powers of leasing bodies as existing at present. The Impounding Amendment Bill passed tho second reading, and also tho Fire .Brigades Amendment Bill. Tho Council rose at 9.35 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. AFTERNOON SITTING. Tho House met at 2.30 p.m. Formal business occupied the House until 5.10 p.m. Tho Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill was further considered in committee. At clause 19, relating to an appeal from tho Magistrate’s Court to the Court of Arbitraion, Hon, J. A. Millar moved certain drafting amendments. Mr. T. M. Wilford thought- the clause required careful consideration. There ought to be the right of appeal on points of law and fact, but that was not at present the case._ The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. EVENING SITTING. Tho House resumed at 7.30 p.m. In resuming the discussion oil clause 19, Hon. J. A. Millar said ho did not wish any misconception to exist about the clause. There was no intention of allowing persons lined £2 to £5 to appeal. Mr. C. H. Izard said the curse of the Bill and its procedure was that it involved too much law, too much court, and too much of lawyer. (Hear, hear, from all parts of tho House). If a Magistrate was to decide a fine his decision should bo abided by. Hon. A. R. Guinness moved an amendment in the direction of giving the right of appeal on questions of law and of fact in all cases in which the amount claimed exceeds £5. The Minister said lie could not accept tho amendment. Hon. Guinesss hoped that members would note that the answer meant that, the Minister wished to give the right- of appeal to tho employer and withhold it from the workers. That was a monstrous proposal. Hon. Millar flatly denied ho was giving something to tho employer which he was withholding from tho worker. Ho would throw back in tho teeth of any lion, member such an accusation. Tho Bill was absolutely fair, lie knew what was at the bade of this. Lawyers thought they would be deprived of their fees. Mr F. E. Baunio protested strongly against the Minister’s reflections upon the legal profession. Hon. Guinness said lie was making no personal charge against the Minister, but merely stating what, in his opinion, the effect of tho clauso would be.

The amendment was lost by 49 votes to 14.

The Minister moved to amend tlio new sub-section 2 by inserting words to make the decision of the Court of Arbitration filial on appeals, “notwithstanding anything in tlio Declaratory Judgments Act, 1908.” Carried.

At- clauso 20, dealing witli tlio enforcement of judgment, Hon. J. *A. Millar moved a drafting amendment in the new proviso struck out by tho Local Bills Committee requiring tho employer to deduct from tlio wages. Tho Minister, after considerable discussion, said lie would accept an amendment- proposed by Mr. T. K. Sidey to include amongst tho category of married persons, widow or widower with children, but did not think it necessary to include a single man supporting his mother as proposed by Mr. Davey. After considerable discussion, the proviso as amended was agreed to. At this stage progress was reported to allow the Public Works Statement to be presented. Consideration of tho Arbitration Bill was then resumed, and Part 11. of the Bill was concluded with slight drafting amendments. Part 111. dealing with conciliation, was proceeded with. Clause 26 was passed as amended without debate, -enabling the Government to appoint as many as four Conciliation Commissioners if necessary. Mr. W. F. Massey said that Councils of Conciliation with seven members would be unruly. The Minister agreed to alter the clauso so as to enable the Commissioner to appoint less than three assessors from either side if expedient. Mr. T. M. Wilford strongly objected to* the whole system of conciliation provided under tho clause. Ho said there should be no permanent Commissioners, who would simply be looked upon as officials looking for trouble. A protracted discussion ensued, and eventually the clause was passed without further amendment-. Clauso 28 was passed without* debate, and tlie House was still sitting when tlio telegraph office closed.