House of Representatives.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 293, 10 September 1910, Page 5

House of Representatives.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Prime Minister gave notice to introduce the Gaming Amendment Bill. The Tobacco Act Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor's message and read a first time. The Speaker gave his ruling in regard to the Crimes Amendment Bill, received from the Council, to the effect, that clause 27, sub-clause 3, was a distinct appropriation one, and, therefore, an infringment of the privileges of the House. The Bill could either be laid aside or a motion carried that the House does not insist upon its privileges. Sr Joseph Ward moved that, aa mention having been called to a breach of the privileges of this House by the Council, the privileges be, in this instance, waived, but such waiver not to be taken as a precedent on future occasions. The Bill was a humanitarian measure, and included provision for paying wages to convicts. He believed the House would prefer to see the Bill proceed. Mr Massey was strongly of opinion that the course proposed by Sir J. G. Ward was a wrong one. Ho regretted that the Prime Minister had not risen to the occasion. Instead of standing up for the rights and privileges of the House he led, he had humiliated the House by making a pitiful speech. The debate was continued throughout the afternoon sitting.