ARLIAMENT YESTERDAY

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3976, 8 July 1915, Page 6

ARLIAMENT YESTERDAY

THE COUNCIL. f MR JOHNSTON ELECTED SPEAKER. > [Press Association Telegram.] WELLINGTON, July 7. The Legislative Coyincil met at 2.30 p.m. Sir Walter Buchanan and Mr J. A. Millar were introduced and took the oath. The Education Act Amendment Bid passed all stages. This measure amends a defect in last year’s Act relating‘to tiie election of parents of pupils to governing bodies of secondary schools. The Trading with the Enemy and Regulation of Trade and Commerce Bills were read a first time. A call of the Council .was then made, Messrs Nicora, Badlic, Morgan and Simpson were absent. Mr Johnston.was elected Speaker. Mr Carncross offered his congratulations, and said ho would be only too pleased to give any assistance, in his power. Congratulations were also offered by Sir IT. I>. Bell and Messrs Jones and Samuel. Tim Speaker expressed high appreciatijin of the remarks made, and said liQjpjjelievod lie would have the hearty sfflpport of members. W Sir IT. D. 801 l moved that tlio (Council’ record its sense of tlm long and faithful service rendered to the Council by Sir C. C. Bowen. Messrs Jones, Sir J. Mills, and Mr Moore spoke in support of the motion, whicli was carried. ■ Sir C. C. Bowen made a brief reply expressing thanks for the courtesy and kindly reception from Councillors. The Council adjourned at 4.15 p.m. till Friday.

THE HOUSE. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Speaker announced that owing to the resignation of Colonel’ Shepherd, Commander Cecil Horne had been appointed to the office of Ser-geaiit-at-Arins. . la reply to Mr Milford, the Minister for Defence said every arrangement had been made to give returning troops a lit and proper welcome on reaching the Dominion. The question was What was a lit and proper welcome for men who lead to go into hospital ? The following Bills were introduced and read a first time: Lights on. Vehicles (Air Budclo). Waiapu County Council 1 Grant and Empowering Bill (Mr MacDonald), Expeditionary Forces Bill (Mr Allen), Tanranga Foreshore Vesting and Empowering Bill (Mr Herries). On the motion of the Premier, Mr Malcolm was elected Chairman of Committees. On the motion of Mr Rcrdman, the Statutes Compilation Amendment Bill' was read a third time and passed. The Enemy Contracts Bill was also rejd a third time and passed without dßnate.

&~S\ r Herdman moved the second reading of the Local Authorities Einfpovering Bill, explaining that the Bill was intended to enable local bodies to pay members of their staff who enlisted and while on active service. Clause V. of the Bill validated all such payments as may have been made in the past. Mr Milford asked the Minister il lie would introduce into the Bill a clause empowering a local body to establish bread depots. Dr M (, Nab asked if the Minister would take power under the Bill to remit rates on those properties which were handed over to the Government as convalescent homes. Messrs Voiteh and J’ayijg urged that, power bo given to borough councils to enver generally into municipal trade. Dr Thacker contended that ,munTeipalities should be empowered'to establish cold storage for perishable food, such as fish and fruit. Mr ITanan. urged that an amendment of the. Municipal Corporations Act to enable municipalities to extend their functions so as to empower them to establish" municipal milk supply and bakery legislation was also required to give effect to the remits of the Municipal Association. The Minister, in reply, said bo could not consider many of the suggestions made in connection with this Bill, but would make the necessary representations to liis colleague, in whose charge municipal matters were. The Law Practitioners Amendment Billy the Arbitration Act Amendment Bill, the Settled Lauds Amendment Bill—all measures of a strictly technical nature—were read a second time without debate. The Education Amendment Bill was received from the Legislative Council and read a first time. The House rose at 4.35 p.m. till 2.30 to-morrow. In reply to questions, Ministers said: The present site of the Trenthain camp is considered healthy. A gravel subsoil and many other advantages make it most suitable as a camp for training the Expeditionary Forces. It is not intended to amend the Pensions Act in the direction of makin.cr provision for those Maori war veterans who are not holders of the New Zealand war medal and who arc not at present entitled by law to receive a- pension. It is expected that the first section of the new Parliamentary Buildings will not be finished prior to 1917, but the Legislative Chambers, it is hoped, will be ready for 1916. The Government is quite sympatnetic towards the proposal to subvent friendly societies and a Bill will be brought down as soon as circumstances permit. It i s not thought advisable to provide special subvention to induce insurance by those who enlist m the Exp ed ition ar y E o roes.