JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

Hokitika Guardian, 1 September 1920, Page 4

JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

A recognition. (Our Parliamentary Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON,. August 31. Tlie House adjourned early this afternoon after passing a resolution relating to the late Mr Donald Reid. COAL DISPUTE. Mr Massey announced in the evening that a settlement of the coal dispute had virtually been secured. The following agreement bad been signed by the parties, subject to Mr Hally being able to secure the agreement Of tlie insurance company interested, to remove the condition it had imposed regarding the indemnity in connection with the employment of MandersoUj both sides to agree to abide by the decisons of Mr Hally with regard to any matters in dispute n the Green Island and Taratu mines, .and that the ordinary work on all mines shall he resumed forthwith. It is agreed that the questions in dispute in the Ma taiira and Gore mines shall be dealt with by the Mi nerd 'Federation and the mine owners concerned, and should, not be made a matter to affect tlie other mines of the Dominion. ’Hie Insurnce Coy. had made m> difficulties and Mr Hally would issue his decisions a within few days. Mr Massey hoped for a long period, of peace in the coal mines. AMENDMENTS APPROVED. During the evening the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Masseurs Registration Bill, Crimes Amendment Bill, and Arms Bill discussed and accepted by the House. CRIMES ACT. The Crimes Amendment Bill, which gives the right of a crimnal to appeal provided originally that when a convicted prisoner appealed to the .Court of Appeal, the Judges might reduce, maintain or increase the sentence. The House cut out the provision for an increase, but tlie Council restored it and the Bill has been passed in the original form. When a prisoner appeals against his sentence ho will have to face the possibilty of Judges,,deciding he was too lightly punished. ° WAR REGULATIONS.

The War Regulations, Continuance Bill came up for the second reading. This 33111 which contains many war regulations, including those dealing with seditious strikes and strikes in essential industries ns well as regulations dealing with rents, enemy trade and other matters, lias been criticsicd adversely in various quarters. Mr Fraser made a- protest to-night on behalf of the Labour Party. He said that the restrictions imposed on workers during tlie war ought not to be continued. He believed their repeal would he in the interests of industrial peace. He thought that Government and employers were reluctant to relinquish the special powers created for exceptional purposes Mr Sidcy (Dunedin South) suggested that Mr Massey should allow the Council to insert a clause fixing a .definite dtc for the expiry of the war regulations. : • . Mr Massey promised to consider tilts. The Bill was passed after labour members had made some protests. OTIRA TUNNEL TENDERS. The tenders received for the electrification of the Otira Tunnel were as follows : National Electrical and Engineerinlc C0v—£284,012. English Electric Oiy.—£264-,973. The actual figures submitted by the En „lish Coy. were £313, 467, but included for this sum there was a considerable amount of apparatus not tendered for by the National Electric Coy When reduced to the same basis, the English. Coy’s price was more favournbfo to the extent of “£19,938. The National Electrical Coy submitted seven alternative tenders ranging in price up to £337,385 this being for the supply of the major machinery of British manufacture.