PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 28, 3 October 1913, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wellington, October 2

Tlie Legislative Council met at 2.30. The Hon. R. A. Loughnan moved that the Department of Industries and Commerce be instructed to make inquires into the changes now being made in the United States tariff, ana inform the public from time to time. The motion was agreed to. The Council went into committee on the Christchurch Electrical Supply Empowering Bill (the Hon. C. Louisson). The Bill was reported with immaterial amendments, read a third time, and passed. The New Zealand Institute of Architects' Bill, and Local Elections and Polls Bill were read a second time and the Council rose till Wednseady next.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Replying to Mr' G. W. Russell, the Prime Minister stated that he intended to place an Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill on the Statute Book this session. The House would also have an opportunity of dealing with the Shops and Offices Bill. THE POLICE FORCE. The House went into committee t' further consider the Police Force Bill The Minister agreed to delete that Part of clause 19, providing that members dismissed from the force shall for feit all pay, pension or gratuities after several members had pointed out the harshness of the provision.

The clause dealing Avith the punishment of members of the force who seek to influence an elector was altered to read that a culprit will be liable to a fine hot exceeding £25, instead of : minimum of £5 and a maximum c' £IOO.

On the suggestion of Mr A, J Hanan, a provision that anyone car sue for the recovery of the amount o' the penalty was also deleted. Sir J. Ward contended that the whol Bill was too drastic. If the chius' under discussion were incorporated no policeman would feel safe. The Minister said that the clause was very necessary. No policeman neee fear anything so long as he did not be tomo a political tout. The House divided on *he motion t<" include the clause as amended, the voting being for, 30 j against"; 26. 'On the clause.'providing that the Minister, may appoint icommittees of inquiry, Mr W.! A. VeitCh moved' .M allow a recognised'' association of .mem hers';of tl\e 'force-. to npaake .claims;,i yj j • tMr:A< L.:Herdman said that kd hac] already'explained his Reasons for Jrol anjass'ociV' subvers'ive • at.'theMdiscipline of t!. ! force. Ho could not accept the amend ment. It was ridiculous to state tha' tlia Bill was drastic. It was mor< liberal than the present legislation. 1 rnusc always be remembered that th<" police could join the Civil Service Association,, f \ '■• le&rfsC' whni'wif ; The amendment was lost on the voices. & '■* ••■ r * >ai: . A

A mew clause providing that the retiring age of the police shall be 65 was lidded. The House divided on the amendment by Mr G. 'Witty, providing that every member of the force '.vho feels aggrieved regarding promotion shall have the right of appeal. such appeal to he heard within three months. The voting was: For the new clause, 29; against, 32. The Bill was reported with amendments.

The House resumed at 7.30. HAURAKI PLAINS.

! The Prime Minister moved the third reading of the Hauraki Plains Amendment Bill. Sir Joseph Ward naid a tribute tc. the work done by Mr McNab when Minister for Lands in connection with the reclamation of these plains. Mr Massey spoke hopefully of tin prospect of the plains as a centre oi settlement, saying that the administration of this work was amongst th<\ most pleasant of his duties as Minister of Lands. AID TO PUBLIC WORKS. Mr Allen moved the third reading of the Public Works 0 Bill. Sir J. Ward spoke of the change that had come over the Governmen party, who evidently now realised that there was a great difference between the irresponsibility of Opposition and the responsibility of office. So mu.r, the Prime Minister, who was asked a few days ago when the Public Work; Statement would he down. But on August 29, 1911, when'leader of the Opposition, Mr Massey had railed against the Statement and Estimates not being before the House. Yet hen we were in October, and there was nc Parliamentary Statement nor any sign of it. It was hyproeritical for any member to declaim against borrowing for purposes every one knew to. be legitimate. He hoped that the Government party would, in the future, he just to him, and admit that he had raised money where necessary, and that he had only acted in the best interests of the country. After further debate the Bill was read a third time, and the House rose at 1.50 a.m.