PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 64, 15 July 1915, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Pbr P»»i:»h Association. "Wellington, July 11 The Council met at 2.30 p.m.

The Arbitration Amendment Bill was referred to the Statutes Pension Committee, and the Council went into committee on the local Authorities Empowering Bill. In clause 4 provision was made to enable a local authority to postpone the date of payment of rates by members of the expeditionary force. The additional charge of 10 per cent., authorised by section 28 of the Rating Amendment Act. 1910, shall not bo

added until the expiration of six months after such postponed date, and shall not be recoverable unless at

least fourteen days' notice in writing that same will be added has been given to the ratepayer. The Bill, as amended, was reported to the Council, read a third time and passed. The New Zealand Society of Accountants Bill was considered in committee, and without amendment reported to Council, read a third time and passed. The Council then adjourned till Friday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m.

In reply to Sir J. G. Ward the Prime Minister said he was willing that railway fares of all witnesses summoned by the Trentham Royal Commission should be paid by the State, but he could not promise that the fares of all persons desiring to give evidence would be paid. In reply to Sir J. G. Ward, Hon. W. H. Herries said that free railway passes would be given to pai'ents wishing to visit their relatives coming by the Wilochia, and free passes would also be issued to parents or the next-of-kin in cases where they were summoned by the Defence Department to visit sick relatives at the camps or hospitals. On the suggestion of Mr R. P. Hudson, the Minister of Defence said he would approach the shipping companies with a view to getting a refund of passages paid by parents and others coming to see relatives returning by the Willochra. The amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Local Authorities Bill were agreed to, and the following Bills were introduced and read a first time:—Wyndham Recreation Reserve Amendment; Lyttelton Harhour Board Election Bill, Harbours Act, 1908, Amendment; Tauranga Borough Council and Tauranga Harbour Board Empowering Bill, Christchurch Electrical Supply Empowering Amendment.

Sir J. G. Ward suggested the sottins on foot by the Government of a movement to recognise the services of General Botha in defeating the Germans in South Africa; he favoured a shilling subscription to purchase a sword of honor. Mr .Massey said ho was in communication with the Governor. A cable had been sent expressing appreciation of General Botha's services.

Mr R. McCallum asked the Prime Minister whether it is true that he, as Minister of Lanes, caused to be apiwinted to one of the Land Boards of the Dominion an ex-member of Parliament, who was recently unseated for corrupt practices on an election petition tried before the judges of the Supreme Court. The Prime Minister replied that the gentleman who had been appointed to the Auckland Land Board will prove a valuable addition to that institution, inasmuch as he has probably a better knowledge of Crown lands in the north of Auckland than any other person in he Dominion. This large and important district had not been represented on the Land Board for some years past.

question, Messrs McCallum, (I. W. Forbes, and •). M. T. Hornsby condemning the appointment as a breach |of the law and a gross public scandal. j The Attoruey-General and the Prime Minister warmly defended the appointment as legal and in the interests of the North Auckland district. I In reply to questions, Ministers said it was too late to make any al- | teration in the forms sent to tanners 'for returns of wheat, grain, eto. The Government was not aware that Land Boards has issued threatening circulars to Crown tenants re arrea's cf rent. It was not advisable to grant local authorities power to levy rau*; 'directly for the purpose of alleviating distress. The Government was endeavouring to cany out by legi d.uion the principal operative section (2) »f the Treaty of Waitangi. Every precaution was taken by the Defence Department to see that horses purchased for military purposes were sound and suitable Steps were being taken to give special consideration to the claims of returned soldiers for Government appointments. It was not intended to introduce legislation this session to impi've or amend the Education Act. It was intended to pass legislation for the audit of all war and patriotic funds. Legislation would be introduce! to provide for the exemption from death duty of estates of men killed or dying while on active service. That it was desirable to insure retiring postmistresses a. superannuation allowance of at least £1 weekly.

Mr G. Witty asked whether ther? was any intention to do away with the dectective or plain clothes branch of the police force. He said there was drssatisfaction in the force.

Mr J. A. Hannii asked xf the Minister would take into consideration the construction of dwedmgRouses for members of the force. ' The Minister of Justice said the Department had under consideration a proposal to build houses ,but money was at present required for more urgent purposes. The amount p.Md in house, allowances was £II,OOO per annum. He thought "tops would have to >)e taken to make the force more homogenous under any new system that might bo instituted. The men who had prior rights under the present system would be fairly dealt with.

When the House resumed at 7.30 p.m.. Mr T. K. Sidey moved the second reading of the Definition of Time Bill; He explained that it was proposed in the Bill to advance clocks by one hour from Ist November to Ist February, and argued that the waving in lighting would amount to £IOO,OOO

per year. Mr O. V. Pearce contended that the Bill, if passed, would do a grave injustice to the farming community, especially the dairy farmer, who worked from daylight to dark, and could not possibly save any daylight.

Mr A. Harris said the Bill was worthy of a trial, and should be put on the Statute Book. The objections to it were, to a great extent, visionary.'

Mr T. A. Field, Nelson, said the practice of putting the clock on was in operation in a part of his electorate, and worked with the greatest satisfaction.

Mr J. B. Hine said the Bill would impose a great hardship on school children and mothers. He moved that the Bill bo read that day six months.

Sir J. G. Ward hoped the Bill would receive serious consideration. It would not iu any way interfere with business, and any inconvenience would be limited to the first day of its enactment . /

The Bill was supported by Messrs J. Payne, H. T. J. Thacker, J. A. iHanan, and T. M. Wilf'oid, while it was opposed by Messrs C. A. Wilkinson, W. Xosworthy, J. Talbot, J. Anstey, and R. P. Hudson, mainly on the ground that it would be prejudicial to the interests of the farming community.

I Mr Sidey, speaking on the amendment, said he did not want any sympathy vote, but hoped that members would vote according to their convictions.

Messrs Anderson and Escott continued the debate, and the first division of the session was taken on the amendment, which was lost by 41'to 26. , ' ~

The second reading was carried on the voices ,and the House adjourned at 10.48 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. on Friday.