JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1920, Page 4

JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

(Our Parliamentary Correspondent.)

PRIVATE MEMBERS. WELLINGTON, Aug. 11. Mr Statham’s Police Offences Amendment Bill which proposes to make trap pigeon shooting an offence, was read a second time this evening. The House spent an hour and a-lmlf on Mr Wright’s Maori War Medals Bill, which provides that men who served without actually coming under fire shall have a medal. The feeling of the House was against the Bill and eveutually progress was reported. ANZAC DAY BILL. Then the Anzac Cay Bill was introduced by Col. Mitchell and was read a second time. This is a returned soldiers Bill proposing that Anzac Bay shall be a national holiday, to be treated as a Sunday. Col. Mitchell said the Dominion owed th e day to seventeen thousand dead New Zealanders. Mr Massey supported the Bill and said he hoped Anzac Day would bo a holy day, not a holiday. Several soldier members supported briefly and warmly and the House sang the National Anthem before adjourning. IMMIGRATION RESTRICTION. The Immigration Restriction Amendment Bill which was introduced to-day is an important measure. The poll tax on Chinese is to be retained, but an additional and effective method of limiting Asiatic Immigration is to he adopted. The proposal which applies to all countries except those which may bo specially exampted, is that before a person leaves his own country to settle in New Zealand he must make application in writing to the authorities here,

supplying certain information about himself, in order that the authorities may judge of his suitability. He must have a permit before he starts lor New Zealand. Another important proposal is that persons coming to New Zealand must take an oath, which will he an oath of allegiance. In the case .ol persons from within the Empire the oath is to obey the laws ol' New Zealand and in the case of persons from foreign countries, tho persons who break their oaths may be deported. The oath is not required in cases of persons coming from British countries'or other friendly states, coming for business, pleasure O rhealth, but the stay of these people will be limited. The Bill provides that special treatment may be extended to couutris declared to be friendly.

'LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS WELLINGTON, Aug. 12. The amendment to the Legislative Council Act, which when it comes into operation will make the Legislative Council elective on a proportional representation scheme was introduced m the Council to-day. It provides for a division of each island into two electoral divisions of equal population, and further provides that any member of the Ministry''may be! given it seatin the Leg- • isiative Council to be held as long as he retains, the portfolio. RAISING LOANS.

Mr Massey was asked to-day if local bodies by their efforts to raise loans, were not tending to push up the rate of interest against themselves and against tho Government. Mr Massey replied that Government was continuing to refuse to allow local bodies to pay more than 51 per cent for money. He replied tliat local bodies were making a mistake in rushing into expend!lm . On- present time. Labour was scarce, materials were dear and the cost of works would be high. The ratepayers in many cases would not get v. for their money. Local bodies .at the present were lighting with one another, not merely for money but also for labour and material. FARM APPRENTICES.

The Master and Apprentices Amendment Bill introduced by Government, deals with indenturing for boys between the ages of fifteen and nineteen years to farm work. It covers boys brought from England for the immigration scheme and also !>oys locall) apprenticed to farmers. The Government undertake the care and control of imported boys until they reach, then employment and then takes tlie position of guardian. An indenture signed by the boys tnd High Commissioner in England is to be binding until tlie boy reaches the ago of twenty years. Provision is made for an amendment of the indenture by Government, if desirable, in the interests of the boys, who are to receive wages according to the rates ruling in the district lor lads ol like age and capability. After the first year similar provisions for apprenticeship of iKiys on farms are extended to boys resident in New Zealand. STATE COAL MINES.

• “What is the position now at the Slate coal mines,” asked Mr Holland (Butler) in the House. Work had not yet been resumed at the mines, he said, and tho country was losing coal at the rate of 4,000 tons per week, although the demands of men had been accepted by .the local managers.

Mr Massey replied that the position at that moment was that the miners were enjoying themselves at the English football match. Train fares had been amended to suit the miners. The abolition of tlie “back shift” had been agreed to in order to overcome another of the difficulties. This would mean that the mine would have to be stopped on some days so that the repairs formerly done by tlie back shift at night might be effected in the day time. The difference between the parties in regard to the railway time table was now five minutes. The Department had incurred additional expenditure to the extent o £•-1,000 nor year, but flic men had not yet resumed work. He bad instructed the manager of. the State coal mine, to proceed to the spot and try to effect a settlement.. NEW RAILWAY RATES'.

Mr Massey stated the new railway rates would <ome into operation on Monday week.