PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 68, 11 July 1914, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

HCUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. [Pkb Press Association.] Wellington, July 10. The House resumed at 2.-SO p.m. The Speaker announced that, accompanied by a number of members, he had presented the Address-in-Re-ply to His Excellency bbe Governor. Seventeen petitions were presented, praying that the Bible-in-Schools Referendum Bill be not passed. On the request of Mr Hunter, the second reading of the Gaming Bill was postponed from Wednesday, 29th inst., until August sth. Mr Massey said he would Tie prepared to state next week when the Financial Statement would bo brought down. FIE ST READINGS. The Christcburch District Drainage Amendment Bill and the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill wove read a first time. THE POLICE FORCE.

The reports of the Public Trust Office and Police Force were presented.

Mr Russell pointed to the fact that the Cabinet, without consulting Parliament, bad increased he pay of every man in the police service by £IS 5s per year. He did not object to the increase, but it was done in the most unconstitutional and improper way. Hon. Mr Herdman said that apparently Mr Russell opposed justice to the men. In 1911 a previous Government bad increased the pay of the police by Gd per day. If the Liberal Party did this, why did be complain? He had found since taking office that if they were to get the best men into the ranks of the force, an increase in pay was advisable. Nothing unconstitutional had been done. The remainder of the afternoon was spent in discussing Ministers' answers to questions. EVENING SITTING.

In reply to Sir Joseph Ward, the Premier said the report of the new General Manager of Railways would be supplied before the financial statement was discussed.

On the proposal to set up the Public Accounts Committee, Mr Russell desired to discuss the financial position of the public service under the Commissioners, but was prevented as the result of the point of order raised by the -Minister of Marine. Mr Russell retorted that the Government was evidently afraid of criticism.

Hon. Allen said that so far from being afraid they had given, more facilities for discussing the financial position than any previous Government. Mr Russell could have had his opportunity upon the debate on the Address-in-Reply. Mi y Russell: I was waiting for your Prime Minister.

In reply to Mr Sidey, Hon. Mr Allen said the Education Bill would be brought down within a fortnight, and would be referred to the Education Committee. VICTORIA COLLEGE. .Hon. J. Allen moved the second reading of the Victoria College Bill. It was proposed to increase the representatives of the Court of Convocation from three to four, one representative of the Wellington City Council, and two representatives of secondary schools, and two of public school teachers. In the course of the debate upon the question of the constitution of the Board, Mr Russell agreed that some method should be established to give children in such places as Napier, New Plymouth, or Blenheim, the advantages of university education. Ho saw no reason why other large towns in the education district outside Wellington should not have representation. The second reading of the Bill was carried on the voices. The House adjourned at 11 p.m.