WHAT AN OPPOSITIONIST SAID.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 66, 23 July 1913, Page 4

WHAT AN OPPOSITIONIST SAID.

Discussing the chances of some'of the Bills now before the House, a prominent member of the Opposition party informed a “Dominion” reporter that ho thought his party would do their best to have some important amendments made in Committee. He thought some changes would bo asked for in the Police Force "Bill, and that there would certainly be a fairly full discussion of the measure, if not at the second reading, then when the Bill was in Committee. He anticipated, also, that the Police Offences Amendment Bill, the measure which has been obviously framed to invest the authorities with power to deal with such a state of affairs as recently existed at Waihi during the strike there, would meet with some opposition. Personally, he said, he would oppose the clause in the Magistrates’ Court Amendment Bill, by which it was proposed .to raise and to standardise magistrates’ salaries. He was in favour of an extension of the jurisdiction of magistrates, and of an endeavour beihg made to secure the services of better men .on the Bench. 3nd hb recognised that in order to do this better salaries .Hiap, tliosei <i riow ruling must be offered. On the other hand, he held very strongly to ’the' opiiiidn that there were men on the Bench now who were receiving more than their due at the present rates of pay. He would certainly oppose the clause by which it was proposed to pay all magistrates, including the unsuitable men, higher salaries.