PARLIAMENT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 406, 21 October 1911, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

|BV Tl'.l.l'l.n UMI. - ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Lust, Night. The Council met at 2.1U) p.m.

The second reading of the Ard to Public Works Loan Hill wa.s moved by Sir .John Findlay. The Hon. ,1. C. .Jenkinson suggasted, in regard to the water power proposals that the Government (should put it into practise by applying it to new railways to be constructed, especially in regard to the Gisborno line. Sir John Findlay said tests would be first applied on the IjyttletonChristehurch line. The Pill was put through all its stages. The Education Reserves Amendmenl Pill was read a second time and reported with a minor amendments. The New Plymouth High School Amendment Pill (lion. W. Kelly) was read a second time, and the Public Works Pili was passed. Tha Widows Pension Bill wa3 committed. The Attorney-General proposed an amendment to the effect that the pension payable plus the earnings of the applicant, must not exceed £GO. [t being doubtful if the amendment could be dealt with by the Council the Attorey-Genera) said he would have the matter dealt with by a message from the Governor. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

TIIE RACING REPORT. A BREACH OF PRIVILEGE. The House met at 2..'U) p.m. The report of the Public Classification Board, which recommended that a nominal roll should be prepared by the heads of departments, was presented.

Sir Joseph Ward said he hoped to lay the roll on the table before the end of the session.

Sir Joseph Ward read a memorandum from the chairman of the Racing Commission, in reply to a request of the House through the Premier, that, the c»">mmisaion should reconsider iU report. Mr Calvin (iiuller) rained a point, of order regarding < 11 : • fact that tho report contained comments on speechus marie by members in the House. The Speaker ruled that the commission was not in order in commenting, as it did, on (lie speeches made in the House, hut if was for the House to say whether exception should be made in thin case, and the report bu accepted. A long discission followed.

Sir Joseph Ward desired to stale that he had not, in the communication ho had addressed to the commission, referred to any speeches of any memIbers of the House. Mr Colvin moved that a breach of privilege had been committed by the author of the. report. Mr W. F. Massey (I'Yanklin) said there was no doubt a I»chnieal breach had been committed, but it took slight notice. On the premier's motion it was decided that no further action bo taken with regard to the breach of privilege. The matter was then dropped. The position now is that the Speaker has ruled that the House cannot receive the report.

EVENING SITTING

The Government Railway Bill was introduced by Governor's messago und read a first; time. The Premier slated thai the Mukiui report would be considered on Monday. The Local Elections and Polls Hill was amended in comniitteo to the ell'ect that when an election is fixed for a day which is a public holiday it will be deferred till tho same day in the. following week. The Bill was reported.

The Workers Compensation Acting Committee agreed to provide, that any manual labour may obtain compensation for accidents, no matter what his wages are, also clerks not receiving more than £2(>o per annum. J)o----mcstic servants were also brought under the Workers Compensation Act. A new clause to give solicitors the right to appear before the Compensation Court was embodied in the Hill, which was read a third time and passsd. The. Legislative Amendment Hill (Sir J. G.'Ward) was read a second time.

Sir W. J. Steward move;! (hat the term of Parliament be. extended lrom three to four years.

The amendment wan negatived hv ■IG vole;; to l.'S, and (lie Jiill wuh reported wiith slight amendments.