JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

Hokitika Guardian, 9 November 1920, Page 2

JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

(Our Parliamentary Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, November 8 LEGISLATURE AMENDMENT. The Legislature Amendment Bill was discussed at some length in the House to-day. This Bill postpones the election of Maori members on an electoral roll owing to the difficulty of completing the roll, and provides that members of tlie Legislature shall not suffer disqualification by reason of their dealing in land with Government, direct or in indirect. This second provision is in line with the intention of the existing law and when some members took exception to it Mr Massey withdrew the clause, and, said that people concerned would have to go to Court for an interpretation of the present law.

CIVIL SERVANTS.. The Prime Minister proceeded lo move two new clauses, one granting full politeal rights to civil servants and the other increasing from 550 to 1250, the margin allowed: Electoral Commissioners in fixing electoral boundaries The clause relating to civil se>vants requires that leave of absence without pay shall he granted to any State employee who wishes to stand for Parliament.

Mr Holland (Buffer) suggested that the clause should be widened to remit civil servants taking part in politic-il conferences and movements.

Mr Massey thought that he was go ing far enough, but added that he had never objected to any civil servant attending conferences. COUNTRY QUOTA.

The proposal to increase the margin for boundary purposes produced a Tong discussion. Mr McCombs (Liyttelton) pointed out that the country quota in conjunction with the existing margin allowed 13,000 people to have the same representation in Parliament as 1,7.000. The increase of the margin meant that 11,750 people might have the same voting power as 18,150. Other opponents of the clause stated that the countryhad already more than its proper shaire of representation and power in Parliament. Country members supported the "clause and suoke feelingly of the difficulties created for them by the efforts of the Boundary- Commissioners m keep within the existing mnirgin. The member for Wakatipu, for example, stated that he had to travel five hundred miles to get from one end of his electorate to another and that Ms constituents lacked community of interest Country members seem to be united in believing that community of interest and the preservation of natural bona daries were more important than the numerical equality in the arrangements of eleetorites.

City members argued for equality of voting strength, and had something to say against the country quota. DAMAGED MEAT.

The statement that some meat loaded for export at Wellington had been gnawed by rats and contained rata nests was made in the House recently by Mr Holland (Buffer) who stated also that some meat not lit for human consumption was being used for canning purposes at the freezing works The Minister for Agriculture made a statement to-day in reply. He sail it seemd incredible that rats could live and breed in the frozen oareases. It was a fact that a small number of eaircases at Gisborne had been found to have been attacked by rats. This meat

was refused shipment. The fitness of meat for human consumption was affected by tubercular disease. In the early stage when disease was slight and localised in one or more definite centres, the methods of inspection adopted in New Zealand were in accordance with sound practice a.nd were of at least, as high a standard as the methods of nnv other country. Whenever tubercular disease was present to such extent as to cause the least danger, the whole carcase was rejected. The Prime Minister said the question was far too serious to be left at that point. He had not the least doubt that the statement made foy Mr Holland would be used aginst New Zealand by competitors in English mark its. He proposed to confer with the Minister for Agriculture with the object of having an exhaustive inquiry made into the statements. DEBATE CONTINUED.

The House eventually agreed to the extension of the civil servants rights and to the increase of the Boundary Commissioners margin.

Mr McCombs, (Lyttelton) moved to affirm principal of proportional representation and was defeated by 39 votes to 23. Then he moved to make women eligible for appointment to the Legislative Council. This was rejected on the voices. A LABOUR FIGHT. After dealing with some Bills of small importance ,the House became involved in a fight over the Conciliation

und Arbitration Amendment Bill. This Bill as introduced by the Minister for Labour contained two highly contentious causes. Clause 3, providing that when disputes are being heard, organisations connected with industry, but not directly concerned in the dispute may bo heard, and Clause 4, providing th;

Jlie Registrar must accept registration of a new union even if a registered union already exists in the industry. The Minister had consented to drop Clause 4 after the earlier debate, but he stuck to Clause 3, and Labour members object ed long and vigorously to the clause. They said it would permit non arbitra_ tion bodies to use the Act without accepting its burdens. It would mean wholesale cancellation of registration and a great impetus to direct action tactics. Tlie first division was taken at 2.30 a.m. and the opponents of the Bill were defeated by 40 votes to 13, Labour and Independent members, and when Sir W. Herries offered to report progress if the first Clause was passed, they were disposed to listen. Mr Massey said Government had no wish to interfere with, a union, but he indicated plainly that he intended to proceed with the BillMr Howard (Christchurch) South, remarked that Labour members _ were simply being asked to lower their stand point and yield to force, but his Labour colleagues apparently were not prepared for more fight and the first clause went' through. The House adjourned at 3 until mid-day. FINANCE BILL. The Finance Bill provides that the Minister may borrow £3,500,000 for electric power works, £2,500,000 for other public works and £600,000 for the purpose of providing subsidies for carry ing on trade in phosphates from Nauru islands and Ocean Island. The expenditure is spread over five years.

The Minister for Finance is authorised to enter into an agreement wjth an{y hank doing business in New Zealand for guaranteeing the principal and interests of advances made to producers on sedurity of wool, meat, dairy products and other primary products.

Totalisator fractions are to be paid into the public account as from July Ist 1921.

The Minister for Finance is given authority to increase the rates of interest to be paid by local authorities in respect of loans already authorised, or hereafter authorised. The new provision applies to the remaining portions of loans already partially raised. Many other matters are dealt with, including some increases in pensions.

The Bill provides for the establishment of a War Pensions Medical Appeal Board, to which appeal may be made from decisions of War Pensions Board on medical grounds. The War Pensions Board is empowered to make additional payments totalling disabled members of the expeditionary force, the total amount not to exceed £50,000.