PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 62, 13 November 1913, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER !2. LEGISLATIVE CCUWm. [Peb Press Association. l Wellington, November 12. The Legislative Council met at 2.30. Three weeks’ extension of time was granted to the Defence Committee to report. The Medical Practitioners’ and the Temporary Employees’ Bills were read a first time. The Hon. H. F. Bell moved the second reading of the Mutual Fire Insurance Act Amendment Bill, explaining that it was intended to give farmers’ associations the right to insure employees against accident, as they now had the right to insure buildings against fire.—The second reading was carried. The Minister also moved the second reading of the Government Railways Amendment, Shipping, and Seamen’s Bills, explaining the provisions as passed by the Lower House. Both were agreed to without debate. The Council rose at 4.15.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m

Replying to Sir Joseph Ward, the Hon. W. F. Massey said that the Government .had at least six new Bills to introduce this session.

On the Mining Amendment Bill, introduced by Governor’s Message, the Hon W. Fraser said that the Bill provided for the extension of mining leases from 21 years to 42 years. The suggestions made hy the School of Mines were embodied in the Bill. Advances for irrigation works were to be 'increased from £IO,OOO to £20,000, and the rate of interest was to be altered fgfim per cent., as now fixed, to ‘Gsuch interest as shall be mutually agreed upon.” All mine inspectors will have to possess mme managers’ certificates. The law relating to mining on freehold laud was not being altered. It was being made clearer. Replying to Mr Poland, Mr Fraser s; ' tuat a provision had been made for improving the position of the miners’ i .v f fund.- The Bill was "oad n fust

Speaking during the discussion on questions, the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher s ated that the crews of Government steamers would, in future, be made permanent officers of the Marine Dc‘p.trtment. They would receive regular pay}for, holidays, and he.unfiei superannuation. scheme. That, lie contended, jwqufcl prevent occurrences similar ‘to that just experienced,' when the !'V xt : .n iH. ny ju " man of the Hmemoa were the first • V n x W . ; l‘x' -iu’ 1 ' « n gui.* s 'amen. Jjo ( join, the Strike, _.. g. Replying- to questions, Mi' Massey' said That tlie, capital funds of,/the' Do-' . ';n .■i.tlc b;.| (‘giii! ut. ,u. i minion are more urgently required tor d ivelopment purposes than for the acquisition, of a State shipping service. If There is a genuine desire on the put of the workers of the Dominion tuat ail unions be brought under the industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act,Tie shoilld’ be pleashd tfid House an opportunity of considering the proposal by introdueingTegislation with'That

The Government would - consider the questibiCof‘ liiclnding the Chatham Islands ifi tile’^ T eHv Zealand ’(llecitoi--atesjl sp as'to 1 give the people roprosenta'tlo'n in ’ Parliament.