PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 29, 2 October 1915, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. PI2U PIIESS ASSOCIATION. Wellington, October 1. In the Council this afternoon the following Pills were passed, after the usual procedure Dairying Industry Amendment, Prisoners’ Detention Bill, Destitute Persons Amendment, Footwear Regulation Amendment, Miners’ Phthisis, Mining Amendment, and Coal Mines Amendment, The amendments made by the House of Representatives in the Marriage Act Amendment Bill, and in the Expeditionary Forces Bill, were agreed to. committee on the Gaming Act amendment, a now clause, in substitution of one dealing with totalisator permits for the Wellintgon Racing Club, and which does not propose to increase the number of permits, was circulated. Consideration was postponed and the Council rose at 4 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

This afternoon the Law Practitioners’ Rill was returned from the Legislatiye Council with one clause struck out. This, clause provided that future King’s Counsel shall not practice as solicitors, either alone or in partnership witli any other solictor. Hon. A. L. Herdman moved that the amendment be agreed to. Messrs Hndmarsh, Wilford, Field anad Parr opposed the motion, the debate bahsg interrupted by the 5.30 adjourn merit.

This evening, on the motion to go into committee of supply, discussion took place upon the Public Works Statement Mr G. W. Forbes Said that members were anxious to know when the maintenance of arterial roads would be adequately provided for. Mr J. T. Hornsby complained of the delay in proceeding with the Martinborough railway. Dr. A. K. Newman stated that in the matter of public works Auckland was obtaining an advantage over Wellington. Mr G. .1. Anderson argued that a better system of deciding and carrying on public works than now obtained was wanted. THE RAILWAYS STATEMENT, j When the House resumed in the evening, the Minister of Railways laid on the talile the annual Railways Statement. Mr H.'<*!. Ell complained of the Railway Department’s extravagance in.keeping an office in Willis Street, Wellington, for the sale ot tickets when the Tourist Office was only a few hundred yards away. Mr G. Witty pointed out that the Railway Statement was placed on the table when .the House was about to discuss the Public Works Statement, which must tend to burk discussion, and by this means they would lose the opportunity for discussing the railway paper. '.Mr W. Veitcli asked what step,s were being taken to arrange for tbe building of every locomotive possible in the Dominion. He trusted the Minister would not dispense with hands, as such a course would increase unemployment and perhaps land 1 the Department in serious difficulty; later on. He also asked that the payment for hour to hour casuals should be increased. He urged that ecenomies in dining-eati had been unwise, practically amounted to ,sweating. He also wished the Minister to inquire into the carriage of stock rn drought stricken districts, to prevent advantage being taken of the Department.

Mr L. W. Isitt strongly supported Mr Ell’s remarks. Hon. W. F. Massey said there was no pleasing some members. Tbe Minister had promised to place the Railways s Statement before the House that evening, and had carried out his promise. He was prepared to give a week for discussion of the Railways Statement if members required it.

Mr C. ~J. Talbot desired to congratulate the Minister upon tbe assistance given for carriage of stock in districts affected by drought. Mr (!. -I. Anderson said he bad asked for the Railways Statement, and

i f he thought the criticism of the Minister was unfair. Dr. Thacker asked if the Minister was prepared to carry out improvements recommended at Lyttelton live years ago. Hon. W. 11. Berries, in reply, said he agreed with the suggestion that the Tourist Department should be amalgamated with the railways. The manager’s report showed that good results had followed the opening of a town ticket office in Wellington, but it had been decided to defer action n lespect to other centres in the meantime. With regard to engines, Ihe last lot imi orted had been thorough ly satisfactory. He showed oy returns that under his direction more engines had been constructed in New /ienhtild than in previous years. He admitted they were endeavouring to economise on dining-cars, hut it the arrangements were not satisfactory they would have to revert to the old order of things, and perhaps charge a little more for meals. He knew that improvements at Lyttelton were uigently required, and when funds wore available lie would be only too pleased to proceed with the work. The motion that the report be placed on tlie table was then carried on the voices. Messrs Veitch, Thomson, Pearce. Ell. Field (Otaki). McCallnm, Wblkinson, Sidey, Webb, and Colvin continued the debate, emphasising local requirements. After the Telegraph Office closed at two o’clock, the discussion on the Public Works Estimates was continued till 2.30, when the total amount (£2,803,550) was passed without akcatiou. At 2.30 the House rose till 2.30 on Monday.