PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 17, 12 September 1912, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

o HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, September 11 Division List.

The Public Service Bill division list was:— Ayes (3(1): Allen, Anderson, Bell, R. F. Bollard, Bradney, Buchanan, Campbell, Coatqs, UicKson, Escotc, Fisher, Fraser, Guthrie, Harris, Herdman, Merries, Hindmarsh, Hunter, Lang, Malcolm, Marnier, Massey, E. Newman, Ngata, Noswortiiy, Okey, Pearce, Pomare, R. H. Rhodes, T. VV. Rhodes, Scott, Statham, Sykes, G. M. Thomson, Wilson, Young. Noes (26): Atrnore, Buddo, Carroll, Craigie, Davey, Dickie, Ell, Forbes, Glover, Lauronson, McCallum, Macdonald, McKenzie, Myers, Parata, Payne, Poland, Ranginiroa, Robertson, Russell, Seddon, Sidey, Veitch, Ward, Wilford, Witty. Pairs: F. E. H. Smith (aye) and Buxton (no), Hine and R. W. Smith, Buick and Colvin, J. Bollard and Hanan, Reed and Ngata, A. K. Newman and J. C. Thomson.

Mr. Ngata explained that he was recorded as an aye, because, being unaware that lie was paired, ho had remained in the chamber, though lie had intended to vote against the Bill. He had followed the custom of voting as his opponent would, have done. The House mot at 2,30 p.m. Local Authorities Superannuation.

The Local Authorities Superannuation Amendment Bill (Mr. Herdman) and Cook Island Government Amendment Bill (Dr. Pomare) were read a first time. Legislative Council Bill. Mr. Massey gave notice of his intention to introduce the Legislative Council Bill. Condolence. The Speaker read a letter from Mrs. Monk expressing appreciation of the sympathy of members during her late bereavement. Elective Legislature.

Replying to Mr. Sidey, the Prime Minister said that it was not the intention of the Government to introduce any legislation dealing with tho election of the Lower House this session. He further explained that the Government desired the House to affirm the principle of an elective Upper House.

Mr. R. McKenzie said that this had been done. Ho thought the membership of tho Council should he allowed to fall below a quorum. They could not sit then. This could bo accomplished in about eighteen months. Mr. ‘Massey gave notice of Ins intention to move tho following resolutions ;—(1) That it is essential that an alteration in the constitution of tho Legislative Council shall lie effected by an Act to he passed by the present Parliament; (2) that such alteration shall be from the existing method of appointment by the Governor to election by direct vote at the polls of tho electors qualified to vote for members of this House; (3) that such election shall be upon the proportional system, and therefore, by largo electoral divisions ; (4) that the number of elected members of the Council other than Maoris shall ho forty, of whom twenty shall he elected at each general election for tho House of Representatives, every such member to sit for a period of two Parliaments; (5) that an electoral division for election tp the Council shall be coterminous with the aggregate of a number of the existing; electorates for this House; (6) that provision be made similar to the provisions of tho Commonwealth of Australia for preserving to this House exclusive control in all matters of finance, and also for cases where tho Council and this House ultimately fad to arrive at an agreement on any proposed legislation. Question Day.

Ministers replying to questions said that the intentions of the Government regarding the communication from the AVestport Labour Union with reference to the co-operative system will be laid before Parliament in the Public Works Statement; the Government proposes to Consider during the recess the question of amending the AVorkers’ Compensation Act. The remainder of the sitting was taken up in the discussion of answers to ouestions.

Tho House resumed nt 7.30 p.m Marriage Validation.

Mr. Malcolm moved the committal of the Marriage Validation Bill, designed to validate a marriage between a woman and her deceased husband’s nephew, and a man and his deceased wife’s niece.

The Bill was committed on a division by the casting vote of the Speak-

After much discussion a motion to report progress was lost by 39 votes to 37.

Mr. Davey moved an amendment to make the provision retrospective and prospective. The Bill was reported with amendments. The Mean Time Bill. The Mean Time Bill was committed, and progress reported, Mr. Sidoy recognising that the measure had no chance of passing this session. Legislature Amendment Bill, Mr. Hindmarsh’s Legislature Amendment Bill was committed. Mr. Hindmarsh explained that his Bill aimed at fair play, that every man who said anything about his neighbour should say it fairly and spuarely. Mr. Anderson moved to report progress as a protest against the fines sought to be imposed upon individuals and societies under the Bill, which, he said, would interfere with the liberties of the Press.

The motion was defeated on a divi sion bv 35 to 32.

Mr. Davey withdrew his amendment.

Mr. Russell, during the course of discussion, suggested that the time of the House could be saved if a Private Members’ Bill had first of all to go before a grand committee of the House, which would decide as to whether the measure was worthy of engaging tin time of Parliament, and thus prevent such a vaudeville show as had been going on for the past two hours. Subsequently Mr. Ncata put an amendment similar to Mr. Davey’s on different terms, and it was carried by 31 to 23.

The Prime Minister advised the mover of the Bill to report progress. Tt was evident that members desired to get homo. In answer to Mr. Tlindmarsh, lie raid that ho was not in favour of the Bill.

Mr. Malcolm then moved to report orogress, and the motion was carried by 31 to 23. The House rose at 12.20 a.rn.

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