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King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 602, 13 September 1913, Page 5

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Curir.ni;U--.''i ! 'i, '' ,v- I ' tion of miiKrs tro plaint could be detect] - ency and sufferers remove! \: m He roine3 and given healthy p'.r.ploymr.nt. Mr Payne urged lh-i crcati.-;» of a beard to protect t!:o livca of those working in the mines of the Dominion. He held that the fundamental causes of Waihi, Reefton and Huntly strikes were insufficient protection of the lives of those who were compelled to work underground. The Hon. W. Fraser said as much attention had been paid to the mining industry as when his predecessor was in charge. On the subject of pneumoconiosis he said the matter was provided for in the Mining Bill. Under the Bill the miners' sick fund would apply only to sufferers from miner's complaint. The fun 1 which wa3 in the hands of the Public Trustee hnd been depleted. One thousand pounds had been voted for the purpose, hut that would not du, as nearly all would be mopped up for payment to widows whoso husbands h2d died several years ago. For defraying funeral expenses the money had to be paid out of unauthorised expenditure. Messrs Colvin and Poland strongly urged the pushing on of the mining industry, which at the present time was lagging. Mr Poland also pleaded for the abolition of the night shift, both in the interests of the men and mine owners. Mr EU contrasted the work of miners with that of those working in the sunshine. He held that Parlinment should not rise this session without doing something to prevent miners working at night. Mr Glover urged asked that prospecting should be fostered, more particularly as the mining industry at the present time was languishing. IMMIGRATION AND LABOUR. After the Telegraph office closed at 2 o'clock the House continued to discuss the immigration policy of the Government. The attack was led by the Labour party, who claimed there was no room for imported labour, and no land for intending settlers. Mr Hindmarsh said the country could support five million people in the near future. What was wanted was closer settlement and more intense cultivation. The Government must bring down a land policy that would attract people to the country and not drive them outward. Ho said he wbb not in favour of indiscriminate immigration, which must bring about a serious condition of affairs in the labour market. New Zealand wanted a fresh supply of people every year but it must be done with discretion There could be no harm in bringing out people with a small capital, but if an attempt was made to populate the country within a limited period there was great danger of glutting the labour market. Mr Russell said the Mackenzie Government endeavoured to arrange for the introduction of suitable emigrants, and to that extent he favoured imigration, but was not in favour of an absolutely open door. The Minister said he agreed with Sir Joseph Ward that immigration must be carried cut with discretion, because in 1909, when 900 people were retrenched from the Civil Service, 4958 people were brought into the country. Sir Joseph Ward said the reply of the Minister proved one thing, that he (the speaker) had fought tho then Opposition regarding that retrenchment which had taken place in 1909. Had the Government desired to do so it could not have prevented any one of the 4953 emigrants coming to the Dominion. The inference of the Minister, therefore, was most unfair. Mr Hindmarsh'a motion was defeated by 29 to 21. A lengthy discussion took place on the conduct of the Government Printing Office, resolving fitself into a duel between the Hon. Mr Fisher, Minister in charge, and Mr Russell, his predecessor. At 4 o'clock Sir Joseph Ward suggested the adjournment, but Mr Mo?--Bey refused to consider the proposal. A discussion followed on the advisability of adjourning, during which Mr Anderson urged the Premier not to give way. Sir Joseph Ward took this as a threat and moved to report prograss. A division was taken, and the motion lost by 29 to 18. Mr Maasey then Btated hc> mipht have been prepared to consider the proposal to adjourn but for the ruling which prevented a class once commenced being postponed. OERCROWDED MENTAL HOSPITALS. Mr Witty then began a discussion on mental hospitals, censuring the Government for not bringing down the report of the Inspsctor-General, who hnd expressed bitter disappointment at no provision being made to provide adequate accommodation were for patients. He complained that no steps were being taken to remedy the dissracefulc condition. Mr McCallum ross at this stage to a point of order, challenging the Premier's statement that progress could not be reported on an unfinished clos?. The House at once proceeded to discuss the point of order until th*> chairman ruled that progress could be reported under such circumstances. Mr Russell resumed the debate moving that the salary of the InspectorGeneral. £IOOO be reduced by £1 as n protest against the failure of the Government, to lay the report before Parliament. OPPOSITION REINFORCEMENTS. At 5 a.m. a number of Opposition