PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10, 5 September 1912, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

o WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, September 4. Elective Council Bill. In the Council this afternoon the debate on the motion for the committal of the Legislative Council Bill and Mr Ormond’s amendment to defer further consideration until next session, was resumed by Air Jones, who denied thiat the Government had a mandate from the people on the subject. He hold that time should he allowed both to the people and members for further consideration.

Mr Amstey denied that in voting for the second reading lie had affirmed the principle of election. All he had affirmed was that a change was desirable. Ho was opposed to the system proposed in the Bill. No good purpose would be served by allowing the Bill to pass. Air Callan said that it was recognised as a constitutional principle that the passing of the second reading of a measure endorsed the principle contained therein. The Council, to be consistent and to maintain its dignity, should continue consideration of the Bill in committee.

Air Duncan thought that, thb Bill would be better left alone for this year. The motion for committal was lost by 20 to 13. * The following is the division list:— Against committal; Alessrs Baillie, George, Bigg, Jenkinson, Jones Bechan, Gilmer, Baldie; Johnston, Ormond; Stevens, Aliller, Kelley, Anstey, Harris, Louisson, Alills, Duncan, Samuel, Thompson. For committal; Alessrs' Bell, Callan, Luke, Paul, Barr, Stewart, Parata, Smith, Collins, AlcLean, AlcCardle, Wigram. Bills Passed. The Deputy-Governor’s Powers Bill passed the committee stage, and the University Amendment Bill also passed tihlrough committee. The Council rose at 5.30 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Question Day. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.ra. Ministers, replying to questions, said tjhlat if opportunity offers this session the Government will refer the question of the revision of the rules of procedure of the House to the Standing Orders Committee for consideration, with a view to the expedition of business; it is intended in the case of endowment lands to insert a clause in the Land Bill now in course of preparation, providing that the rent to be paid by a tenant will commence one month from the date of ballot, so as to give a settler reasonable time in which! to make preparations for working the section he intends to occupy; the question of extending the benefit of reduced immigration fares to the wives and children of men who, having already settled in New Zealand, are desirous of bringing their wives out to join them, will receive consideration; it is intended to introduce a Plumbers’ Registration Bill very shortly; a report on the efficiency of the existing law in securing facilities for the seating of women shlop assistants has been ordered. The remainder of the sitting was occupied in discussing answers to questions. The House resumed at 7.30. Marriages Validation Bill. Mr McCallum moved the second| reading of the Marriages Validation Bill, validating marriages between a' man and his deceased wife’s niece, or between a woman and her deceased husband’s nephew. Mr Allen did not think it desirable to open the door to people who contracted illegal marriages with tthte hopoj that the law would be amended in tllifcir favour. Mr Isitt characterised Mr Allen’s views ns hidebound conservatism. Objections to the Bill were purely ecclesiastical. The churches had no right to limit the freedom of the State or of the people. Mr Ell said that alliances of the kind were abhorrent to him. Mr Russell thought that a report should be obtained from judges as to the operation of our marriage laws. The second reading was carried on the casting vote of the Speaker, who held that if a marriage with a deceased wife’s sister was legal tlhte Bill should pass. The report of the Civil Service Commission was laid on the table.

Reform of the Upper House. Replying to Mr Russell, Mr Massey said that in all probability tho House would In? given an opportunity of expressing its opinion on the question of whether tho reform of the Upper House was necessary. Ho thought the right thing had been done in giving the Council the first opportunity of expressing its opinion on the matter. Daylight Saving Bill. The House went into committee on the New Zealand Mean Time Rill (Mr Sidey). Argument was adduced by several members to show that the farming community would suffer by the proposed innovation. Mr Sidey replied tlhiat the alteration of time would not affect the conn trypeople to any extent. He pointed out that the cows, which appeared to be the particular stumbling block, were milked in the dark for many months of the year. The carrying of the Bill would probably benefit the town people more than country people, but the general benefit was quite understood. THE MEAN TIME BILL. Wellington, September 5. In the discussion on the Mean Time Bill, after midnight, Mr Pearce (Patea), moved to strike out certain words in clause two. The carrying of the amendment would, he said, have the effect of killing the Bill.

On a division, the motion was negatived by 30 votes to 20. Five minutes latex*, Mr Anderson (Mataura) moved to report progress, and the motion was carried by 28 votes to 24. The House rose at 2.40.