PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 41, 11 October 1912, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (Per Presa Association.) Wellington, October 10. The Council met at 2.30 p.rn. Cemeteries Bill. The Cemeteries Amendment Bill was finally passed. Public Service Bill. The Council resumed the Public Service Bill in committee. On clause 6, providing that the Commissioner, or assistant-commissioners should not be approached, directly or indirectly, with a view to appointments or promotions, Mr Anstey moved to strike out the first word, with the object of killing the clause. Mr Bell declined to accept the amendment, and after an hour’s discussion it was withdrawn. A further proposal with a similar object was negatived by 31 to 6. On the motion of Mr Bell, sub-sec-tion 3 of clause 6 was altered to read: “Any officer who directly or indirectly solicits or endeavours to influence the commissioner or assistant-commission-ers for the purpose of obtaining promotion or increase of salary, shall be deemed to 'be unworthy of such promotion or increase, and it shall , not be accorded him’, and he shall be liable •to, jmmedi a to; .dismissal.” . AThei bkuginM' clause applied l to “all persons” applying for appointment, ■an<d flay alteration |ow permits applicjjtiopkJ but 'prohibits-officers applying for promotions. On sub-clause 3 of clause 7, which provides that the . term of appointment of the commissioners should he for seven years, Mr Paul moved to substitute five years for seven years. o'-JDJscltssion on the amendment was postponed, and .the Council adjourned. The Council resumed at 8 p.m. The Pharmacy Bill.

In Committee on the Pharmacy Amendment Act on Mr Bell’s motion, clause 9, dealing with chemists paying commission on doctors’ prescriptions, was altered to reaS,V‘every proprietor, manager or registered chemist who pays or offers to pay commission on a proscription is guilty of an offence.” Another amendment providing against chemists supplying doctors with prescription forms hearing any notification of the address of such proprietor or chemist, was also made. The Bill was reported with amendments. Local Authorities Superannuation. In the Local Authorities Superannuation Amendment Bill, clause 2, the Minister agreed to Mr, Barr’s amendment providing for the inclusion of all who became contributors within six months of the establishment of the fund. Another amendment by Mr Jonkinson limiting all future superannuation allowances to £3OO, was carried by 11. to 7. ’ The Bill was reported with amendments.. . Divorce. In the second reading of the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Amendment Bill Mr Bell said that the measure provided for a reduction from ten to seven years of the period of confinement in a lunatic asylum necessary as a cause for divorce. Another amendment was for legalising the marriage again of either party as soon as a decree absolute is granted. He remarked many people did not realise that it had been necessary to wait three months after the grantin gof a decree absolute before a divorced party could again marry. The Bill was read a second time. Second Readings. The Wanganui River Trust and Hauraki Plains Amendment Bills were read a second time. The Council adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30. A Vote of Censure. Mr Brown gave notice to move a motion censuring the Government for its action in discharging co-operative workers from the Napier railway works. The Land Bill. The Prime Minister indicated that ho would probably move the second! reading of the Land Bill on Tuesday. Public Works, Replying to Mr Poland, who asked if the Government had ceased work on the Waihi-Tauranga railway, in order that men engaged there might assist the Waihi Gold-mining Company, Mr Phaser said that ho could give the statement an emphatic denial. lie

stated that the Public Works Statement would be down next week.

Mr McKenzie said that he hoped the Government would treat Mr Brown’s motion as a want-of-confideiiee motion, so that all members could air their grievances in connection with the stoppage of public works all over the Dominion!, Ip his own district a number of men had been put. off railway works. Mr Massey replied that lie would treat the motion as a want-of-conJi-dence motion if he had an assurance that Mr Brown had consulted the leader of the Opposition before moving it, Business of the Session. Mr Massey, in moving that the House sit on Monday evenings for the remainder of the session, mentioned that he would make a statement to the House on Tuesday next, as to what business the Government intended to proceed with this session. Mr Massey read a cablegram from 1 London, stating that good fair quality hemp'had brought £3l, and fair grade £29 15s/ This, he said, was the highest price realised for the past twenty , years, and augured a prosperous season. In Memoriam. Mr Massey moved a motion of condolence in connection with the death of the late Hon. J. Marshall, M.L.C., also that the House place on record its appreciation of the valuable services rendered to the country by the deceased gentleman. Sir Joseph Ward and Messrs Seddon, Buchanan and McKenzie made feeling reference to the deceased, after which the Prime Minister moved the adjournment of the House till 7.30 as a mark of respect to Mr Marshall’s memory. Native Land Bill. In the House this evening the Native Land Amendment Bill was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Native Affairs Committee. N Third Readings. The Land Tax and Income Tax Bill were read a third time and passed. Defence. Mr Allen moved the second reading of the Defence Amendment Bill. He praised the work done by Sir Joseph Ward and Mr Myers. The question, he said, had never been a party one, and he hoped it would continue to be a national one and above party. (Members: Hear, hear.) During the last few weeks he had been greatly gratified by the favourable comments ol local bodies on the national defence scheme. The best way to preserve peace was to be prepared to defend ourselves. Speaking of fines imposed for non-service he explained that military detention had been substituted for imprisonment. The detention would be ordinary detention in carfip or barracks: Id the case 1 of 'absolute refusal of duty! there Wa's still the power , of; imrajisjonment. There 1 would 'be no; severe iniffrisonmbnt. 1 Meh could go 1 ftp (their ordinary duiids/buf] mould 1 be expected, t.d Ibe in batik 1 in 1 the evening,' and" would 'undergo 'military' detention in order to avoid committal to barracks and detention. Power was given to" Tmvgrst r ate & to-attach youth’swages, The Minister explained that junior cadets were taken out of the scheme, and it was proposed that there should be an entirely newtsfcbeme in regard to primary schools.-r The Government proposed a system of physical training in schools which would ensure that both : bbyS and girls were trained and developed on sound lines. The training of junior cadets would be caryied ont;. ; by non-commissioned officers of the defence force. For religions objectors no military duty would be enforced, but a corresponding sacrifice of time would be required, As to old volunteer forces, it was proposed to take over all property and all liabilities of these. In case of country districts, it was proposed to give power by way of regulation to do away with drills in camp, and power was. given to the Governor to exempt special and remote areas from service. The Minister referred in eulogistic terms to the meritorious achievements of our cadets in Canada. Mr Russell contended that the country’s dangers were naval, not military, The people of New Zealand had to make up their minds to spend more for naval defence than they did now. The subsidy to the Imperial navy should be largely increased. Also a first-class naval base should be established in ,a centre in New Zealand. Naval brigades should be established at all the principal ports ,

Mr Hindmarsh said that a system of military caste had been introduced which was to be deplored. Tory parties all over the world wore in favour of military training in Europe. The great struggle was between the military class and the industrial class. The Government, if it was wise, would reverse the policy of the Ward Government on military defence, and allow free scope for conscientious objections. Sir Joseph Ward contended that tin's country was doing no more for defence than it should do. He held that the only reason for any exemption should be strictly on religious grounds. Leaders of the old voluntary system, he said, had welcomed the introduction of the compulsory system. He declared that imprisonment for non-compli-ance witli ,the provisions of the .Act had ; never been contemplated in the original Bril. After midnight Mr Fisher contended that the platfor m of the Labour party in New Zealand would never be complete till it included national defence, after the example of the Australian Labour party. Mr Myers considered that it was a .matter for congratulation that the organisation of the Territorial army was now complete. He denied the statement of Mr Hindrnarsh that the. workers were against the scheme. Wellington, October 11. In the House after two o’clock a.in., the Defence Bill was further considered. Mr G. M. Thomson supported the Bill, and urged the establishment of

another training whig to give further opportunities to young men in coastal tow lift; Mr llohertson said he did not think there was a great body of opinion in the country against national defence; a great hulk of labour opinion was indifferent, and parts of empire were in favour of a citizen army. The Minister of Defence replied at | 2 a.in. Ho assured the Mouse of his sincere desire to carry on the defence system On thorough lines. The whole Essence of the scheme was that it should provide a citizen army with equality of sacrifice; the rich should not be able to pay the poor to protect them. It was impossible to put forward at the moment a naval defence policy, but the Government would do so in due course. Development in this sphere had been so rapid that caution would have to be exercised in incurring large expenditure. He held an open mind on the question of the conscientious objector, and hoped some practicable method of dealing with the difficulty would he put forward. in Committee the Bill was read a second time, and the House rose at 2.15 a.m.