JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

Hokitika Guardian, 1 October 1920, Page 2

JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

—- MILITARY SERVICE AMENDMENT. (Our Parliamentary Correspondent.,

WELLINGTON, Sept. 30. The Military Service Amendment Bill providing that military defaulters may be tried by the civil courts, was put through Committee by the House to-day without debate. Labour members of the House had made an appeal on behalf of conscientious objectors on the second reading of the Bill, but they did not reopen the subject. A new clause was added on the motion of the Minister for Defence, providing that Section 49 of the Justices of the Peace Act shall not apply to military cases. The Section mentioned required that an information shall be laid within six months of the offence. This limitation is removed as far as military defaulters are concerned.

WORKERS COMPENSATION. The Workers Compensation Amendment Bill which was introduced in the House of Representatives yesterday makes an important alteration in the definition of a worker. The Act of 1908 provides that the term “worker” shall not include any person employed otherwise than by way of manual.labour, whose remuneration exceeds £260 per annum. The Bill raises the maximum remuneration to £4OO. The maximum amount of compensation payable to dependents in respect of the death of a worker is increased from £SOO to £750. The period for which no compensation is payable after an accident is reduced from seven days to three days. The maximum weekly payments that may be made to an injured worker during a period of total incapacity is increased from £2 5s a week to £3 15s a- week. The Amending Act of 1911 provided that compensation to an injured worker might include reasonable medical expenses not exceeding £lO. The Bill increases the maximum amount to £2O. Section 57 of the principal act provided for the payment of compensation to men working under contract in mines. The Bill further extends this provision to cover men engaged in cutting timber on contract. The provision 0 of the Act of 1908 relating to common employment, is amended so make the maximum compensation £750 instead of £SOO. The maximum compensation is similarly increased in respect of actions for negligence of a fellow employee. The Bill provides that in any case where the compensation claimed does not exceed £SO, the case may be heard in the Magistrate s Court.

TIMBER OUTPUT. (Our ' Parliamentary Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 30. A return, showing the output of sawn timber for the year ending March 31st 1920, and a comparative statement showing the amounts exported and retained for the Home market, was read to the House this afternoon by Hon Lee. The output for the year ended March 1920 in superficial feet, totalled 296,165,080 feet. Of this quantity 10,463,000 superficial feet- were exported and 189,954,489 placed on the Zealand market, the percentage exported being 5.3.

For the year 1917-18 the total output was 158,470,680, the total output was 158,470,680 feet, and of this total 38,589,030 feet were exported on 22.9 per cent, the output leaving the balance of 134,320,617 feet to be placed on the Dominion market.

A COMPLAINT. A complaint that copies of evidence taken by the Labour Bills Committee on Labour members Bills had been handed to the Employers’ Federation was made in the House to-day by Mr Howard. The Labour members asserted that evidence was being used against them by employers and they asked for a .ruling. The Speaker stated that any evidence given before a Committee ought to be regarded us absolutely confidential, until the Committee had reported to the House. The documents mentioned should be returned immediately to the Committee. If they were not returned, further proceedings would be taken. The debate that followed the introduction of the Workers’ Compensation Amendment Bill indicated that the Labour Bills Commitce which in accordance with custom has a Government majority was regarded with much disfavour by the Labour members. These members told the House that the Committee was merely carrying out the dictates of the Employers’ Federation; that its members were puppets, and so forth. They came into conflict with the Chairman on the subject. Dr Thacker pointed out that the Liberals had no representative on the Committee at all. The debate was inconclusive.

THE RUSH ON. - WELLINGTON, Sept .30. The House dealt with business to-day a,t a pace that indicated the approach of the usual end of the session rush. Ministers are anxious to close the session four or five weeks hence, and members evidently are disposed to assist them. The Miltiary Service Amendment Bill providing for the trial of military offenders in civil courts was committed and put through without debate, after the Minister had added .a clause removing the time limit for the laying of informations as far as military offences

are concerned. Then the Valuation of Land Bill was committed. Country members had something to say ajbout the proposed new Assessment Court. Their chief concern was that the unimproved value should lie kept down and value of improvements kept up. Mr Massey indicated he would arrange for a second Assessment Court if one was not enough to keep abreast of the business. The Electric Power Boards Amendment Bill came next. The House made short work of passing this measure. Finally the Health Bill was put through. This is a very important and comprehensive Bill largely increasing the duties and powers of local bodies. Members had something to say about children’s teeth a,nd need of facilities for treatment. Hon Parr mentioned that he was arranging for the training of about thirty women in dental work.

They would undertake simple treatments among school children. Moat of tho clauses of the Bill were adopted (without discussion, and the House rose at 11 p.m. after passing the four Bills.