PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 51, 24 October 1912, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1912. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (Per Press Association^ Wellington, October 23. The Council mot at 2.3 U p.m. Various Sills. The Auckland Harbour Board Bill passed tlirougli its final stages unamended. Tne Aden Land Drainage Bill was reported with amendments. Jhe Public Service Bill finally passed, and the Council rose. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30. Inebriates’ Homes. Mr. Herdman presented a report from Mr. Kettle, S.M., on the Pakatoa and Rotoroa Islands Inebriates’ Homes. The report stated, inter alia, that every effort was being made by the Salvation Army autnorities to make the inmates comfortable, 'i bey had expressed gatitudo for the manner in which tney had been treated. The homes had fully justified their existence. Mr. Kettle suggested that the inmates might bo let out on probation after a certain period of detention. He reported that the holding of a political meeting and canvassing for votes did not tend towards the promotion of discipline on the islands. Question Day. Mr. Myers asked the Minister of Finance whether it was a fact that £74,000 was to bo raised for the Public Works Fund. Mr Allen replied that the money had to bo raised. Mr. Russell asked the Prime Minis ter whether it was his intention to send the Minister of Finance to England. Mr. Massey replied that the Government did intend to follow tba course, and that Mr. Allen would go Home as soon as possible after the session ended. Mr. Myers asked if Mr. Allen would officially ' attend the sittings of tin Imperial Defence Committee. Mr. Massey replied that the matter had not been considered. Replying to Mr. Brown, the Prime Minister stated that ho did not intend to reply to the notice of motion stand ing in Mr. Brown’s name censuring t'u Government for the discontinua.ii.-n of the co-operative railway works, unless he had tbe written authority cf tin Leader of the Opposition. Mr. Brown said that was unfair tr him, as the Opposition had no leader. Ministers, replying to various questions, said that specific enquiry will bo made into the question of impersonation and the transfer cf immigrants’ certificates in Great Britain. The present arrangements in regard to the Government grading of grain are not satisfactory, and Chambers of Commerce in grain exporting districts have been asked for then;- views on the subject. On receipt of their replies the whole matter will receive careful attention. The High Commissioner has been instructed to invite applications in the United Kingdom for the position of General Manager of the Railways. Should applications bo received from countries outside Great Britain they will be forwarded to the Govermnen* for consideration. It is intended t confer the appointment on the most suitable applicant, who must, however, have had practical railway ox perience. An endeavour will be made to give effect to Mr. Ell’s suggestion for tininstallation of slot telephones at ah country post offices where the toll is (id or Is, telephones to be switched or when tbe country office is closed. . The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. POLITICAL NOTES. Mr. Glover has asked the Minister for Labour in the House if he would this session introduce an amendment of the industrial laws which will have the effect of restoring peace and prosperity to'the workers of the Dominion. The Hon. W. F. Massey briefly replied:. “I cannot add anything to what I have already stated in reply to simi lar questions that have been asked this session.”

It is not proposed to bring down any legislation this session to tax theatn tickets and devote the procceds to tin upkeep of consumptive sanatoria. The Prime Minister proposes to in troduce a Bill giving hotel and res tail rant employees a six days week, am' to refer it to the Lalwnir Bills Committee for the taking of evidence. The member for Nelson asked the Minister of Justic whether lie w ; ll ink' the necessary steps to (1) Allow tin men in the New Zealand Police Foreone day’s holiday in each week; C2) provide completed uniforms instead o' cloth only; and (3) allow time off tr any ccnstalile who lias made an acres* during night duty, and has to attend a Court in the morning in what would otherwise bo his own time. The reply of the Minister was as under: —(1) Tr comply with the request of a very largf increase in the strength of the foref would have to he made, and as tlu men arc paid by the day for sever days weekly the additional expense would he considerable. Annual lenv< is provided for by regulation, and ir addition to this Sunday leave in turn is given where po-ssible without air loss of pay. (2) The question of nro adding boots and the cost of making up uniforms is one of additional ex penso, probably over £IOOO per annum, which would have to be consider ed. It is not many years since a! members of the Police Force had tr provide uniforms at their own cost (3) A rule to allow two hours off dub +o all men who during their turn of duty have to attend Court for a shnr period would mean a- considerable in crease in the force, as other men would bo required to take up the work of those allowed off. At present the custom is to allow men who are detained long at the Court a concession of turn off as far as the circumstances will permit. .