In Parliament

Horowhenua Chronicle, 17 October 1913, Page 3

In Parliament

Questions By Members AND MINISTERS' JaEPLIES. CIVIL SEPVANTS WIVES. In the .House of Representatives the following questions and answers were asked and given this week:— The Hon. Mr Miliar to ask the Prime Minister, Whether he will obtain from the Public Service Commissioners a definite pronouncement of their policy in regard to members of the Public Service or their wives engaging in anv business?

The Hon. Mr Massey replied, r i'his matter has been considered on several occasions by the Public Service Commissioners since they assumed office, but it has not so far appeared possible to them to make a regulation prohibiting the wives of the members of the Public Service engaging in any business without inflicting injustice in many cases. At present wives of members of fhe Public Service are known jo be employed in such positions as -.that of shorthandwriter in private firms, while others are understood io keep paying guests, teach music, and engage in othe?- matters of Ihe kind. The Public Service Commissioner states that he is, however, of fhe opinion that the wife of a member of the Public Service should not engage in any business which is likely to interfere with the official duties of her husband, or which would give colourable reason to

suppose that the business conducted by the wife might even in a remote way be assisted hv the offici'i] position of her husband. -He further states that if is proposed to take up cases of the kind as i hey come under notice, and to iake such action in each case as may seem necessary. POBTC. Dr. A. Iv. Ne wnian to ask fhe .Government, What steps the\ propose to lake for (he thorough inspection of pork? The Hon. Mr Massey icplied, The question of how to deal still more thoroughly with this matter is now receiving the careful consideration of the Government. The depart men ia] officers are ai present preparing a special reporton the subject. INJURE]) JOCKEYS. Mr Dickson to ask flic Government, Whether they have vet ascertained thai the Racing Conference propose to divert funds raised for the assistance of injured jockeys io the payment of stipendiary stewards: and. if so, what steps do they propose to take to prevent the same ?

The Rod. Mr ssey replied, The Government is informed by the President of the Pacing Conference (hat there has been no proposal to so divert' funds, and tliat ihe?p are. in fact, no fluids spcciall v raised for the assistance of injured jockeys. There is an accident fund for the assurance of owners against lite statutory ]iability of sucli owners in (he ease of accident, which is provided by contributions of owners of horses in proportion to the number of horses owned hy them. It is, in fact, a miitun] assurance fund id' tin 1 oAvners, and its existence does not in the least affect the statutory right of nn injured jockey to recover compensation from his employer. Power has been taken to apply the surplus of this fund, if necessary, towards provision for stipendiary stewards, hut so far no part of the surplus has been so applied. In any ease it is plain that no valid reason can he given for any interference under the circumstances.