PART A AMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 9 November 1920, Page 3

PART A AMENT

[PER PRESB ABBOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.]

THE COUNCIL

WELLINGTON, Nov. 9,

The Legislative Council met at 10.30 a.m. and adjourned and resumed at 11 a.m.

The Washing-Up .Bill was put through the final stages and passed. The Council did not agree with the King’s Counsel Amendment made by the House in the Law Practitioners Amendment.

New clauses proposed by the Govern- i. or for the Land Laws Amendment were i adopted. | Amendments made by the House in the Legislative Amendment i were considered by the Council. Sir j F. Bell moved that the Council concur except with the proposal to strike out the new definition of contractor. Hons. Samuel and Earnshaw opposed the civil rights clause. Hon. Barr agreed that , public servants should be allowed to stand, but only as representatives of the service.. • 1

Hon. Gow urged the postponement for fuller Sir W. Hall Jones said the proposal would mean civil servants using their positions for gaining election. Hon. MeGibbon urged delay. Hon Garland opposed the clause. A vote was taken and the Council disagreed with the new clause in regard to civil rights and with the proposal to strike out the contractor definition. The Council adopted the new margin us.' of the commissions of inquiry. An amendment, introduced by Sir Francis Bell gives a general authority to issue a commission of inquiry into a judgment or proceedings of the Court Martial bill, which was put through all stages and passed. The Council rose at noon until the ling of the bell.

THE HOUSE. The House met at noon. Mr McCombs asked a question relative to bank clerks of the Dominion. He said he was informed that bank employees had been endeavouring to get the directors to meet them and now’ he was informed a confernce was taking place in Wellington between Representatives of the Banks, Government and officers of the Bank Officers Guild end that eminent counsel were appearing tor the parties. Mr McCombs asked what was the position and if these had been had been a threat of a strike.

The Premier replied that he had heard nothing of the matter but would enquire into it.

Replying to Mr Wilford, Mr Massey said he hoped there would he no delay in the payment of a bonus to women teachers next year.

Replying to Mr Hawken, Mr Massey said lie would inquire carefully into the matter of freights on che,ese. He had not heard anything of the rumoured increase of freight. Rates wee fixed in England. He would, however go into the matter and Siee that noth ing was done that would act to the detriment of producers. Mr Massey informed Mr Potter that Government were doing all possible to facilitate the search for the auxiliary schooner Jubilee, missing on the voyage from Auckland to Niue Island. Dr Pomare added that arrangements liad been made with the Samoan administration to send food to Niue by any vessel going that way.

Replying to R. W. Smith, Mr Massey said the firm carrying on the Wanganui River Service was subsidised by the Lands and Postal Department. Just lately it asked for a larger subsidy, hut Government wanted to know what additional service the firm would render the settlers for the larger subsidy. Negotiations are now proceeding.

The Tramway Amendment Bill (Hon Coates) conferring on Government the right of inspection of bush tramways, was read a. first time. The Minister explained that in a number of districts where mills had worked out the timber of a size formerly cut, mills were now starting to cut smaller timber and in many eases the old tramways were found to be defective so that power of inspection was required in the in. terests of employees. The House disagreed with the amendment made by the Legislative Council in the Legislature Bill and laws practitioners amendment Bill. Discussion was resumed in committee on the Arbitration Bill.; Mr Holland moved to report progress. The discussion is proceeding.