POLITICAL MATTERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3982, 15 July 1915, Page 7

POLITICAL MATTERS.

THE UPPER HOUSE. 'V/;' PAYMENT OF BITES s BY TROOPERS. WELLINGTON. July 14. The Council met at 2.30. The Arbitration Amendment Bill •was referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The Council went into Commn-i.ee On the Local Authorities Empowering Bill. In clause 4 provision was made to enable a local .authority to postpone the date of payment of Yates by members of the Expeditionary Forces and 'the additional charge of ten per centum authorised by Section 28 oi the Rating Amendment Act. 1910, shall not he added until expiration of six months after such postponed date, and shall not me recoverable unless at least fourteen days’ notice in writing that same will lie added has been given tho ratepayer. The Bill as amended was reported to the Council, read a third time and passed. The New Zealand Society of Accountants Bill was considered in Committee without amendment, reported to tho Council, read a third time and passed. The Council adjourned till Friday. THE HOUSE. FARES OF WITNESSES TO TRENTHAM ENQUIRY. In reply to Sir Josenh Ward the Premier said ho was willing that the railway fares of all witnesses summoned by the Trent ham Royal Commission should be paid In* the State. He ecu Id not promise that tlie fares of all norsons desiring lo give evidence would be paid. Mr Massey also stated that the Government had engaged Air Skerrett, K.C., to appear before the Commission to. represent the interests of men and parents. ” In reply to Sir Joseph Ward, A!r, Herries said free railway passes would he given parents wishing* to visit relatives coming by tho Willochra. Free passes would also be issued to parents or next of kin in cases where summoned by tlie Defence Department to visit sick relatives at camps or hospitals. The Alinister for Defence said he would approach the slopping companies with a view to getting a refund of passages paid by parents and others coming to see relatives returning by the 'Willochra.

The amendments made l>v the Legislative Council in the Local Authorities .Hill were agreed to. The following Hills were introduced and read a first time:— Wyndham Recreation Reserve Amendment ■ Lvttelton Harbor Hoa.rd Election Hill'. Harbors’ Act 1908 Amendment. Tauranga Borough Council and Tauranga Harbor Hoard Empowering Bill Christchurch Electrical Sypph- Empowering Amendment. Mr Hamm asked if the Minister ■would take into consideration the construction of dwelling houses for members of the force. The Minister for Justice said the Department had under consideration a proposal to build houses, but the money was at present required for more"urgent purposes. The amount paid in house allowance was .-£ll.ooo’ per annum. He thought steps would have be taken to make the force more homogeneous. Under any new system that might.be instituted men who had prior rights under present systems would be fairly dealt with. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. In reply to “Questions” Ministers said it was too late to make the alteration in the forms sent to farmers for returns of wheat, grain, etc. They were not aware that Land Hoards had issued threatening circular to Ciown tenants re arrears of rent. It was mot advisable to grant local authorities power to levy rates directly for purposes of alleviating distress. The Government is endeavoring to carry out by legislation the principal operative Section 2 of the Treaty of Waitangi. Every precaution was being taken by the' Defence Department to see that horses purchased for military purposes were sound and suitable. Steps are being taken to give special consideration to the claims ol returned soldiers for Government appointments. It is not intended to introduce legislation this session to improve or amend the Education Act. it is intended to pass legislation for the audit of all War Patriotic Funds. Legislation would he introduced to provide for the exemption from death duty of the estates of men killed or dying while on active service. That it is desirable to ensure retiring postmistresses superannuation allowance of at lease one pound weekly. Mr Witty asked whether there was any intention' to do away with the detective or plain clothes branch of the jjolice force. He said there was dissatisfaction in the force. DAYLIGHT SAYING BILL. Mr Si dev moved the second reading of the Definition of Time Hill. He explained it was proposed I>y the Bill to advance clocks by one hour from November 1 to Uebruavv I. and argued that the saving in lighting would amount to £ 100,01)0 per vear. Mr Pearce contended that the Bill, if passed, would do a grave injustice to the farming community, especially to dairy farmers, who worked from daylight to dark, and could not possibly save any daylight. Mr Harris said the Hill was worthy of trial and should be nut on ‘the Statute Book. Objections were to a great extent visionary. Mr Field (Nelson) said the practice of putting clocks on was in operation in a part of his electorate and worked with the greatest satisfaction. Mr Mine said the Bill would impose a great hardship on school children and mothers. He moved that the Bill be read that day six months.

Sir Joseph Ward hoped the Bill ■would receive serious consideration. It would not in any way interfere with business. Any inconvenience would lie limited to the first day of its enactment.

The Bill 1 was supported by ATrssrs. Bayirei, Tliaeker, Hunan, Wilford, wihilo it was opposed by. Messrs. Wilkinson, Nosworthy. Talbot, Anstey, and Hudson, mainly on the .ground that it would l he prejudicial to the interests of the farming community. Mr. Sidcy, speaking on the amendment, said he did not want any sympathy vote. He hoped members would vote according to their convictions. . Messrs. Anderson and Eseott\ continued; the debate, andl the first division of the. session was taken on an amendment, which was lost by 41 to 26.

The second reading was carried on the voices, and the House "adjourned at 10.48 to 2.30 Friday.