PARLIAMENT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 597, 27 August 1913, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

'^Sjffl [ll\" TIXKGH.U'IT. —I'KKSS A.V-OUATM.IN.j Wellington. Tuesday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Irrigation ami Water Supply Bill was intrpduced by Governor's Message. In reply to Mr Russell Mr Massey said the Bill proposed to appropriate a sum of not more than £IOO,OOO for opening up lands for settlement in arid territories, principally Central Otago. The House went into Committee on the Public Trust Office Amendment Bill. During the discussion on the short title, the Hon. Mr Herdman, in reply to disclose evidence taken by the Public Trust Office Commission. The evidence had been given under a distinct promise that it would be treated as confidential. At a later stage Mr Russell elicited the fact that the Minister had seen the evidence, whereupon he declared the position was most unfair to those who had given evidence under a pledge of secrecy that their statements should be handed to the Minister and possibly made the subject of review by the Cabinet. He contrasted this position with that taktn up by the Pubilc Service Commission under the Mackenzie Government. He contended that as a member of Parliament he had as much right to see confidential evidence as the Minister had. The short title was then passed. Clause 3 setting out the personnel of the Board was, on the motion of the Minister, amended so as to include the Minister of Finance. The proposal to include two nonofficial members on the Board excited considerable criticism. Mr McCullum moved to amend the clause so as to ensure appointees coming from the Public Service. The amendment was lost on the voice 3.

The House in the evening further considered the Public Trusts Amendment Bill in Committee.

The Bill was reported with amendments.

The Pensions Bill was then considered in Committee and was passed through With machirery amendmentp. The House rose at 12.25.