HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 45, 23 October 1913, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THE DEFAMATION BILL. Sir Joseph Ward asked that the minutes of the committee which death Yif.ith the Defamation Bill bo placed before the House. He felt that the Government was endeavoring to rush the Bill through this session, but he could assure, t)>e Government that the Opposition did ,not intend to let the Bill through, this (session iin the form it now waj-j iIV .1: ... u '- : Hi >• Mr A. L. Hqrdraan said: the Bill aimed at; bringing-the libel, law tip to date, sq thjyt ip, could, be understood' by people andi-nfM-.spaper men.. The Bill was the outcome of a deputation) of 'ipOqplei waiting ; on the Dp me Minister i during the> 11 recede 'l|iere was ..no intention'tin the ipantdof the Government iof ondcavoting i to lifirry theißill !through.) t ml I ni Kri IMr G. >Wx Bussellhand MrTJM. Wdford urged the Government not to go oil with the Bill this session, they hqhli|g'>ibhaftuthe imtasUte tif ' a, highly contentious character and would r unduly prolong the business of the session. : Mr W. ; -F. ‘MiuMey. khid 'flid Dill Was the. ■OUtcoidt4 i; bP- 1 abj friijlM’tAh'it' "fluential Waiting ' 'oh' liiiii' ,4+H*Hig th’O' “ debilitation rcpri'scnt'e'dt Hib' 'wlirile hf ’’fife' Dress 0/ the they had repro'sepL \ed that tile THHv'was 'o'bsotdte‘and not in thd law of other countries., , He'*did not think that Sir Joseph WanF'if as justified in saying that the Bill would not go through

this j so.hhon’; '' Lie wished it nndef" stood that so iHngas he occupied the TreasnrL henouAs ho was going to control the business of the House. THE JUDICATURE BILL. On a motion to adopt the Committee’s irejjXH't of the .Judicature Bill, Sir Joseph, Ward sought to discover upon whose recoiuehriidatioii the proposal to appoint two additional Su-4>j-enie, Court judges was made. He was not prepared to support an .expenditure’of £6OOO or £BOOO per annum ■Tofthe 'country’s.money without having .the fullest details concerning, the proposed appointments. Mib A. L.. Herd man, i-eplid* that he could not give to the House confidential information. At the proper time (the second reading of the BlR), he would tell the House what lie could. I t had 'beqp recognised generally that the judges lyere.over-worked, apd that ther was room for additions to the Benclf.! ■ •. ■

tfOCAB TffU>S ;i PJSSED. 'l'lie Amendments made in committee in the RiVer Board Amendment Bill, the Water Supply Amendment Bill, and the Rangitikei Land Drainage Amendment Bill were agreed to on the voices, and the Bills were read a third time

and passed. ; THE POLICE FORCE

On the third reading of the Police Force Bill, Sir Joseph Ward protested against the Minister’s refusal to set up a court of appeal in connection with the force or, to permit the formation of a'Jfion-political association, when experience .proved similar privileges had promoted the peace, and contentother branches ,of, the public

service. ; . ,Mr W. A. Veitcb. in supporting Sir .1 ose &I Ward's view, advised the Minister to cease from sitting on a safety valveS Otherwise there'wmdcl be an explosion in this branch of the public service.

-Mr J. Payne chided Mr A. L. Herdman with suffering from swelled head and with abusing the power that had been thrust upon him, Mr A. L. Herdman, in reply, said that no Government in its senses could permit an association with labor leaders at its hack to exist in the police force. Had. such a condition prevailed during the Waihi strike, bloodshed must have ensued. In spite of what had been said regarding the absence of an appeal board, lie still thought the Bill would greatly benefit the force, as it contained ample pro-

vision to meet ail pQSsibio cases. He commended the efficiency of the force, and declared that though much remained to be done to make the conditions more acceptable, it was not possible to grant them a six hours’ day, A division was called for by the La-' bar Party, but the third reading was carried by 4-1 votes to 20. TRAMWAYS BILL. Tlhe House proceeded to consider the Tramways Amendment Bill in committee. The Bill was reported with amendments, and the House rose at 13.10.