PARLIAMENT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 488, 3 August 1912, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. JUV* TJ'XWiHAI'II. — I'JIKNS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Thin Day. lion. F. M. B. Fisher gave notice to introduce the Shipping nn( ' Seaman's Amendment Hill, and the State Fire Insurance Amendment Bill. The Jollmvinft Hills were read u fir.-t time: -Gaming Act Amendment. | Bill, Mr Hunter; Waitemata County Council Empowering Hill, Mr Harris; Unregistered Nurses Registration, Bill, Mr Payne; Sumner Foreshore Empowering Bill, Mr Laurenson. PRIVILEGE COMMITTEE'S REPORT Mr ITannan laid i before the House the report of the Privilege Committee. The committee found that Mr Sinclair's letter in connection with the Wairau election was published, and was not privileged. The committee further reported that Mr Sinclair desired to be heard in defence before the bar of the Mouse. Mr Russell asked the Prime Minister whether ho proposed to take any action, in view of (lie committee's report.—Mr Maasey replied that tno matter had been sprung upon him. Ho had not the slightest idea that it was coming before the House that afternoon. He desired to see the report and evidence before malting any statement on the matter.

CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES. After the House had discussed the Ministerial replies to questions the Prime Minister moved that Mr F. W. Lang be appointed Chairman of Committees.

Tlie motion was unopposed, and carried, and the usual Sessional Committees were set up.

DOMINION REVENUE,

The lion. J. Allen t.ulifed a statement of revenue for the year ended 1912. Compared with 1911 the revenue for the current year ending July 31st, was £ll,l 09,1 7'i, and for the previous year A* 10,fjCtlJ,(IS.'i, making a total nctt increase on all transactions of £609,491. For four months of the current year the revenue was .£3,029,1-15, compared with last year's total of ,£2,830,1 HO, a net increase of £198,995.

DE P U TY-G OVERNORS' I'O W ERS. The Hon. A. L. JSerduian moved the second readme of the DeputyGovernor's Powers Hill, conferring all powers of the Governor during his absence from the seat of Government upon the person appoinetd hy tho Governor to ho his deputy during such absence. The. Act, ho explained, would be retrospective to validate acts which had been illegally -committed in the past. The Bill was read a second time.

FINGER PRINT RECORD,

Hon. A. L. Hordman moved the second reading of the Prisons Amendment Bill, which provided fur the taking of linger prints, under pressure of persons accused of offences, as well as those of convicted persons, also providing that the prisa/ier who re! uses to obey shall bo deemed izuilty of an aggravated offence. Mr Bradnev suggested that all traces of finger prints should hn removed if an accused person was found not guilty. Mr Ilanan advocated a proper system of prison inspection, and said a good man should bu secured for the inspection of prisons. Jin belie veil such a man could be obtained in New Zealand. Mr Hindmarsh asked the Minister of Justice to consider the matter of differentiating hewteen prisoners incarcerated for debt and ordinary criminals. Mr Isitt thought there, was no humiliation in having finger prints taken, but prison authorities should use some discretion in the matter. Mr Herdman replied the the Bill was read a second time. UNIVERSITY AMENDMENT BILL. The Hon. .1. Allien moved the second reading of the University Annulment Bill, which was agreed to on the voices.