JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

Hokitika Guardian, 4 November 1920, Page 3

JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

(Our Parliamentary Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, November 3. TRIPLETS. The House began the afternoon gaily with a little comedy about triplets. Mr Forbes (Hurunui) informed the Government that a lady in his district had written him to say that she had given birth to triplets (laughter). He wished the Minister of Internal Affairs to let the country know what was the position in regard to the King’s Bounty. If there was no King’s Bounty for New Zealand he suggested that the Government should do something to encourage such additions to the.. population. Hon. Anderson in reply, said the lion, gentleman is a very proud man today (shouts of laughter). There was power to pay the 'bounty at the rate of one pound per child. Mr Witty hoped the Government would give the subsidy in all cases of 1 twins and triplets, but Mr Anderson i was not sure about that and suggested that the member for Ricearton should put his question on the order , paper. There were so many twins born j that it might be putting too great a j strain on the nances of the Dominion, j but he would represent the matter to the Prime Minister. REPORT TALKED OUT. When the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill was introduced in the 'House, the Minister of Labour stated that it contained the technical clauses desired by the Department. The Bill was referred to the Labour Bills Committee and was returned to the House yesterday without serious amendment. Labour members proceeded to demand the deletion of clauses 3 and 4, and they talked out the J report of the Committee on this issue, i Clause 3 of the Bill provides that in ' proceedings before the Arbitration Court i or Conciliation Council employers and < workers engaged in the industry but ' not directly connected with the proceedings may be heard. Clause 4 dealing with the formation of new Unions reads as follows:—“Provided that if there is only one registered industrial union in the same locality or industrial district connected with same industry or related industries to which the members of the Union applying for registration might, in the opinion of the Registrar conveniently belong, the Registrar shall not have power to refuse registration on that ground in any case where the members of the Union applying for registration have at a meeting called in accordance with the rules of such applicant Union resolved that they do not:desire to join that existing registered union.” Mr Sullivan (Avon) declared the opposition of Labour members to these two clauses. Clause 4 seemed designed to multiply unions if any group of disgruntled workers wished to form a new union of an industry that already had a registered union, the registrar was compelled to grant registration. This meant giving facilities for the formation of Blackleg 'unions. It was a ( Union-breaking clause, striking at the foundation of the trades unionist. Other labour members took up the same attitude. | The Minister or Labour stated lie was willing to drop claifse four. When ' the Bill got into Committee, he would explain later why he wanted clause 3. Labour members were not satisfied with this assurance ancj they talked out the report of the Committee. THE EDUCATION BILL. The Legislative Council passed the Bank of New Zealand Bill without dismission. The Council passed also the Rotorua Town Lands Bill. The Native Washing Up Bill was dis cussed and passed by the House. In the- evening the Minister for j Education moved the reading of the Education Bill. He reiterated his refusal to > spend public money in the form of scholarships or grants on any but State Schools. The Bill was discussed at the second reading stage £ until after . midnight. Mr Holland (ißuller) moved an amendment suggesting the abolition of scholarships, all children to be free to pass right through to the University, provided they could pass qualifying examinations. The amendment was defeated at 2.15 a.m. by 42 votes to 23. When the Bill was in committee, several members objected to clause 6, which provides that if an Education Board has made payment from a special fund in excess of grants, it may be required to adjust the ac- < counts by transfer of funds. The Min- ' ister said the position was that certain < Education Boards had used money im- I properly out of certain accounts, while they had large credits in other accounts and adjustment was neicessary. He did < not intend to use the power arbitrarily and if a Board could show that it had < used the money for a useful educational purpose, no action would be taken. < Mr Holland moved to extend the school age to sixteen years. The present age is fifteen years, and Bill proposed fifteen years. The Minister said lie could not accept the amendment which would involve heavy additional expenditure and great extension of school accommodation. The amendment, after debate, was rejected on the voices. I Clause 16, containing the amended provision as to the appointment and transfer of teachers, was made operative, as from June Ist., 1921. / | Mr Wilford (Hutt) moved to add to Clause 23 a proviso that after March I ! 31st., 1922, the rates of salary and i allowance for teachers should bo fixed by statute, and not by regulation, j The Minister objected. He said lie proposed to have all regulations placed before the House in succeeding sessions and referred to the Education Committee. The teachers themselves preferred that the salary scale should be fixd by regulation instead of by statute, in order that it might be amended readily. The amendment was rejected by 38 votes to 25. The Bill was passed at 4.15 a.m. and the House adjourned until midday. BOOKMAKERS. ! The Minister for Justice has issued definite instructions to the police that * provisions of the Gaming Act regarding Bookmakers are to be enforced. The 1 Act passed earlier in tlie session makes ■ tli calling of bookmakers unlawful and 1 provides a fine of £IOO or imprison- * ment for two months for any person ! who bets with a bookmaker. This law so far has- not made any apparent

difference to bookmakers. Hon. Lee statos ho is determined to have the law enforced. His instructions have had some effect in Wellington, where several bookmakers’ establishments were closed yesterday. The telephones at bookmakers premises were cut off in Wellington yesterday morning but were reconnected a few hours later. Officers state that the action was premature.