A Parliamentary Note-Book

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 181, 21 October 1927, Page 13

A Parliamentary Note-Book

An All-Night Sitting

(THE SUN’S Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, To-day.

There was a weeping and gnashing of political teeth in the House when the Hon. G. J. Anderson. Minister of Labour, introduced the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill, In which is reflected the fruits of several months’ strenuous negotiation and careful study. Much will be said at a later stage at still another concession being made to the farming industry by what is frequently described as the “Farmers’ Government.” The Bill proposes the removal of the present nominated assessors from the Arbitration Court and the substitution of arbitrators from the industry concerned in each dispute to act with the Judge, who is to continue to be Mr. Justice Frazer. The Bill also seeks to exempt the farming industry from the scope of the Arbitration Act, and provides for the encouragement of piece work. It was the Government's turn to gnash its teeth later when Labour held up the Shops and Offices Amendment Bill all night and let members away at 7 o’clock till 9 for breakfast. The Petroleum Bill was discussed in the afternoon, two other Bills being passed. The Council sat for a short while, during which the Police Offences Bill was read a first time and a second time pro forma, and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The Bankrupcy Amendment Bill, the Magistrate’s Court Amendment Bill, the Apprentices’ Amendment Bill, the Public Service Superannuation Bill and the Inspection of Machinery Amendment Bill were read a first time and a second time pro forma and referred to Standing Committees. The Orchard Tax Bill was passed. Religious Exercises Bill Now that the Education Committee has concluded the hearing of evidence on Mr. H. Holland’s Religious Exercises in Schools Bill it may be confidently expected that the second reading of the measure will be called some time next week. This will occasion a long debate and the Bill almost assuredly will encounter strenuous opposition from certain sections of the House. It is logical to expect that, on account of the contentious nature of this proposed legislation, the Education Committee will not commit itself upon the merits of it, but will leave jurisdiction to members themselves. Lollies for Quietness By speaking out of his turn in the House of Representatives this evening Mr. W. J. Girling, member for Wairau. was made to look small. Mr. .1. S. Dickson, member for Parnell, was talking of shop hours, and reminded the House that he had been brought up in a shop. Mr. Girling: In a lolly shop? Mr. Dickson, without a moment’s hesitation: The honourable member should have some lollies. Perhaps they would keep him quiet. Mr. Girling was not heard again. Persistent Mr. Lysnar While members of the House were sitting in tense expectancy for information on the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill, Mr. W. D. Lysnar, Gisborne, made himself a nuisance by incessant interjections. Mr. H. E. Holland tolerated this for some time and then scored heavily off the member for Gisborne. He described the Bill as reactionary and Mr. Lysnar interjected: “Call it progressive.” Mr. Holland: Well, if you approve of it the Minister will feel satisfied there is something wrong with it. This did not extinguish Mr. Lysnar’s insatiable desire tef be heard and he annoyed Mr. Holland at a later stage when the Leader of the Opposition was discussing boy-labour hours. “Boys will not go to bed if you let them off early.” Mr. Lysuar said.

Mr. Holland: If the lion, member was as bad as a boy as he is now he should not have been trusted out at nights. Mr. Lysnar: You will have to go a long way back. Mr. Holland: You should not be out at nights now. You should be home in bed. * • • Flood Dangers On the recommendation of the Lands Committee the petition of A McLean and 33 others, of Awakeri. for i stop-banking, deepening and straight- | ening of the Rangitaiki River has been t referred to the Government for consideration. * * * Newmarket Empowering Bill With minor amendments, the Newmarket Borough Council Vesting and Empowering Bill has received the approval of the Bills Committee, and has been referred to the Lands Committee, Fertilisers Bill The only alteration made by the Agricultural and Pastoral Industries and Stock Committee to the Fertilisers Bill is a provision that an invoice certificate must be supplied on delivery of fertilisers instead of on sale as orginally provided. The committee recommended that the Bill should be allowed to proceed with this amendment. Price Fixation During the present session nine petitions have been presented to Parliament asking that the Board of Trade Act should be amended so as to prevent manufacturers and wholesalers from fixing prices below which retailers may not sell goods. Reporting on these petitions to-day the Industries and Commerce Committee stated that it was unable to recommend that legislation should be passed to prevent the fixation of prices without any regard as to whether such prices were reasonable or otherwise. It recommended, however, that careful supervision should be exercised by the Department of Industries and Commerce with a view to preventing the possibility of exploitation by individual manufacturers or merchants.