PARLIAMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3586, 23 September 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

WELLINGTON, Sept. 22

FORESTRY DEPARTMENT.

Replying to Mr Mitchell, Mr Massey said, the recommendations of the new Director of Forestry had not yet been considered by Cabinet.

PENSIONS FOR THE BLIND. Replying to Mr Sullivan, Sir Wm. Herries said that no decision had yet been come to in regard to granting pensions to the blind. HIGHER EDUCATION.. The presentation of a paper on higher education by the Minister of Education raised a debate, in which, members appealed, for more generous treatment of superannuated teachers. OLD AGE PENSIONS. Mr Statham suggested that a universal old age pensions scheme was the real remedy for all such applica:ions for assistance by superannuated public servants. REPORTS DISCUSSED. The remainder of the afternoon sitting was taken up with a discussion of the reports of select committees on petitions. The House adjourned at 5.30.

The House went into committee on the Master and Apprentices Amendment Bill No._ 2, In charge of the Hon. Noswoi'thy. A number ot amend ments deleting penal clauses and generally liberalising the measure wore introduced by Administrator’s message. Mr Holland said the Labour Party would oppose almost every danse in the Bill because there wag so much in it that was destructive of personal .liberty. It was simplv legalised slavery. Mr Mitchell did not agree with Mr Holland. He thought the Bill would give a be‘ter life to the boy 3 brought out under if than ever they had a chance of getting in the Old Land. Mr. McCombs contended that the Labour Party’s attitude cowards the Bill wa s now being endorsed by all parties in the House. He remarked that it was not generally known bj the people-sf the Dominion that under i h-a BiF. as introduced immigrant farmer apprentices should be liable ‘o “three days’ solitary confinement for any breach of duty, disobedience or ill behaviour in his service. 7 * Messrs Lysnar, Isitt, McLeod and Tones gave the Bill support. Mr oHward said the only difference between the Labour Party an 3 the rest of the House was ore of degree. The Labour Party only saw less good in the Bill than other members, v Mr Statham said the fault of the Bill wa.s that it was an attempt to graft a new law on to the old and obsolete statute ,of 1865. Mr Witty maintained that if boys were brought out they sbomd have the choice of employment when they arrived here.

After the supper adjournment discussion was continued tl'l 1 a.ra.. lion the telegraph office closed

MASTERS AND APPRENTICES BILL NINETEEN - DIVISIONS TAKEN. WELLINGTON, This Day. After the < elegraph office closed, consideration of the Master and Apprentices Biil. was continued in Committee. Mr. Mitchef moved an amendment that no boy be brought out without, the consent of his parents or guardian. The amendment was rejected by 45 to 16, and Clause 2 was passed at 2.10 a.m. Mr. McCombs moved the excision of Clause 4, but the clause was retained by 42 ,ro 9. Mr. Howard moved that, the wages paid to New Zealand boys under the Bill should be on the basis of the agreement between the rural workers’ Union and the rural employers. The amendment was lost by 39 to 10.

At Mr. Boland’s suggestion, Clause 8 was withdrawn as the Premier agreed that there was some doubt about

On Clause 9, Mr. Holland moved in tlie direction of making the regulations made under the Bill in operation until laid before Parliament.. Lost by 42 to 8.

Mr. Holland objected to the mew clauses moved by the Minister, providing penalties for breach of an indenture by a boy, and for sending the boy back to England if his conduct continues unsatisfactory, contending they were unnecessarily harsh. The Premier defended the clauses, as some power of restraint and control was necessary. The clause was agreed to bv 33 to

14. The Premier agreed to have the

whole of the penalty clauses .reviewed when the Bill in the Legislative Council, and this, assurance was accepted. Mr. McCombs moved the repeal of Clauses 13 and 14 of the principal Act.

Mr. Norwmrthy said rhe assurance just given by'the Premier should be sufficient, but Mr. McCombs insisted on a division and the clauses were retained by 36 to 11.

The Committee stage, during which nineteen divisions were taken, was completed ai 3.5 a.m. and on the BUT being reported, the house rose at 3.10 a.m.