LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 36, 5 October 1912, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

(Per Press Association.) t, Wellington, October 4. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. Military Pensions. Replying to Mr Luke, tho Minister said that, in accordance with its promise in the Financial Statement, The Government was giving full consideration to the report of the Public Petitions Committee on petitions from military settlers. . A Bill was now in print, with the object of dealing with the position of military pensions. The Civil Service. He said that he did not think that there should bo promotions to higher positions without practical experience. The report of the Civil Service Commission showed that, for at least six years, there had been no political patronage in the service calling : for reform. Where it did exist it was outside the civil service, and that was where it should be stopped. The Bill established an absolute autocracy. If the Commissioner’s power were allowed to remain, it would wreck the whole scheme. He was opposed to the principle of the appointment of an autocracy, but as the House had, by a good majority, approved of the Bill, he did not think it right to refuse to pass it. He gave his assent to the Bill with very grave misgivings. Air Samuel said that in the past six years there had been very little to winch-even -the mostloaptibus could take exception. He received the Bill with misgiving, and would not be surprised if evil resiilted from its adoption. 1 As, however, the House had adopted it he did not see that they could prevent its aim being carried out. The Council, under the circumstances, would not be justified in opposing the measure. Mr Beehan was speaking in opposition to the Bill when the Council adjourned. In the Council, in the evening, Messrs Beehan, Mills and McCardle continued the debate on the Public Service Bill.

The debate was adjourned, and the Council rose.