PARLIAMENT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8925, 19 September 1907, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

House of Representatives

Press Association W rxr.i no ton', September 18. Tho House mot at 2.80. lu reply to questions. Ministers

stated — That it is intended to bring down an amendment to the Friendly Societies’ Act this session.

That it is intended to bring down a Railway Classification Act during the present session. That it is proposed to remit the charge of Is for travelling expenses charged by the Inspector of Weights and Measures, when there is an in-

spection of shopkeepers’ weights aud measures, except in special cases. The question of returning forfeited weights and measures is to bo considered in the event of legislation on the subject being introduced at any time. That so far the stops taken, to S-eriliso all imported bones arc considered satisfactory. That every facility is afforded rifle clubs, both defence and private, in obtaining ammunition at the same price as is charged to volunteers. Efficient members of defence rifle

clubs arc also allowed to purchase 100 rounds of ammunition per annum at a very low rates —per hundred. The present base cost at the factory is £5 8s -Id per 1000 minds, and the present sale price to volunteers and rifle clubs is £5 10s p»r 1000. It is not considered advisable to make a further reduction in price.

That the procuring of samples of milk for analysis lias not yet been carried out in any thorough manner. As the law now stands, there are several difficulties. Samples have boon collected in Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland, and Kelson, and as soon as the Pure Food Bill, now before Parliament, becomes law it is intended to look more carefully into the question of tho quality of milk consumed by the p topic.’ Mr Hanan asked tho Premier whether ho would introduce legislation on tho lines of the Australian Commerce Act, with tho following /"r)ects—(J) To protect those traders who correctly describe their goods fr >m competitors who by false or misleading descriptions deceive tho public to the disadvantage of tho honest manufacturer, who may have established a reputation for good articles. (2) To protect the public by requiring in cases where tho proper maintenance of public health or public interest makes it expedient that manufacturers shall vindicate on their goods tho nature 'of the ingredients or materials of which they arc composed. (3) That tho purchasing public shall know tho actual country of origin of imported goods. (-1) That the reputation of the natural industries of Now Zealand may bo maintained and probably increased by insuring that New Zealand productions of.inferior kinds shall not bo permitted to masquerade under a description which is applieablejjouly to the host quality. The Premier replied that the work still to be done during the session is very heavy, and no promise can ho given, but tho protection of tho public is so important that I hope to have suitable proposals prepared during the recess to submit for the consideration of Parliament next Hossiou.

That t-U* question of providing schools with . miniature rifle ranges was under consideration.

The Premier, in reply to Mr Okcy, stated that his attention has been directed to various statements which recently appeared in the Press rethe dissatisfaction among the railway employees. These statements require, however, to be 16ceived with great caution. Where a large staff' of mon is concerned, such $s tho K’cw Zealand railway staff, which numbers about 11,000, it must bo expected that some grievances are hound to exist. Where, however, these, are represented they are gone into as closely as possible and reasonable relief given. It is not correct to g rcrtl; unrest prevails in the service, and tho Statement that “resignations are being sunt in ho last that the railways will be run by inexperienced or incapable hands 11 is an unwarrantable exaggeration. There are cases whore capable railway "officers iiavo taken up lucrative positions in other walks of life, but tho same may bo said of officers in every" other State Department, and also of smart mon in private employ, who from time to time are offered better positions than those they occupy, and they cousscpicutly accept the offers. The great bulk of the men who leave tho railway service are, however, men who have been on probation and have failed to give satisfaction, or Who, during tho probationary period, ,'j ud tho railway work distasteful, and leave to take up other employment. There is no dearth of experienced officers, and the men in the railway service, and tho great bulk of the’officers and men now in the service will, I have no doubt, j-cmaiu therein until they 'arc filigihlo for "retirement under the Government Railways Superannuation Fund Act. The amendments made by the Oonncil tq the Few Plymouth Loan and Waterworks' Loan Yalidatory Bill, and the Nelson Institute Bill, wore agreed to. The Foreign Tribunals Evidence Bill was road a third time and passed. Tiic House adjourned at 5.30 p.m.

Tho House resumed at '7.80 p.ra. The Premier 'moved to postpone the Methylated Spirit_ Bill, Goal Mine Act Amendment Bill, Factories Act Amendment Bill (in committee), iu order to take tho Land and Income Assessment Bill.

Mr Massey raised an objection to {lns coTirse, and ho considered tho premier should have intimated to him that ho intended to do so. Ho (Mr Maassey) had on noting the position of 'the Assessment Bill on tho Order Paper not prepared himself for debating the Bill, and other members he know were similarly placed. The Premier said hen, members on his side of tho House had as much right to complain as tho Opposition members. He oxpalinod Hint this was the first time the orders of the day had been altered this session, but it was not an unusual practice. It was done in every Parliament. He reminded Mr Massey that iu answer to a direct ipiestioii from the Loader of tho Opposition lie had intimated that the Laud and Income Assessment Bill would ‘bo taken immediately tho Tariff Bill was put through. The motion was carried by 4o to 18.

Tho Premier moved 'tlm W-ading of tho Assessment Bill, i ,a lengthy discussion ensued, and at midnight Mr Thomson moved the adjournment of tho House, which vras negatived on the voices.