PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 4 October 1907, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3. I LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Lust Night. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Land and Income Assessment Act Amendment Bill from the other House was read a first time, and the second reading fixed for Tuesday next. POLICE OFFENCES BILL. The Police Offences Bill was committed. The Attorney-General moved a new clause to the effect that every person commits an offence, and is liable to a fine not exceeding £2O, who publicly uses, in connection with his business or calling, words or initials leading to a supposition contrary to fact that

he holds a degree, diploma, or certificate ■ of any university or other institution; V the burden of proof in any prosecution I 1 to fall upon the defendant. Registered medical practitioners using the title of doctor are exempted from the above provision. The clause; was agreed to with the addition of a proviso moved by the Hon. Mr. Callan that no prosecu-1 tion take place without the consent of i the Attorney-General. The Bill was reported and the Council rose at 4.10 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30. AN EXPLANATION. Mr. Parata and Mr. Hogg explained that they called for a division on the third reading of the Land and Income ' Assessment Bill not because they were [ ' opposed to the Bill, but merely in order ! that the names of members who opposed 1 the Bill might be recorded on the jour- ' nals of the House.

PUBLIC SERVICES REFORM BILL.o Mr. Hogg continued the debate on the question that leave be given Mr. Barclay to bring in the Public Services Reform Bill, which was interrupted by the dinner adjournment on Wednesday. He expressed himself as favorable to granting political freedom to all employees of the State, but he thought State servants should avoid indulging too freely in party politics. Mr. Bennett moved the previous question with a view to determining the ■ debate.

This was seconded by Mr Kidd. Mr MasSey protested against the attempt to prevent discussion of what was an important question. It was, he said, an attempt to gag Parliament, and characterised the tactics as contemptible. The Premier said t»« procedure of speaking at length on the first reading of a. Bill was unusual, and if the question was to lie discussed it should be done on the second reading. The Government desired to go on with the Land Bill, and not to debate a measure which would not settle the matter one way or the other. There was no gagging about the suggestion. The previous question was lost by 37 to 29, and the debate proceeded. Mr Jennings thought the Civil Service should have freedom to express their political views. Mr Izard thought the House was not the place to ventilate MeCullough's case, but it should go before the Appeal Board.

Mr Lewis, with the object of killing the Bill, moved that it be read a first time this day six months. He considered tiiat civil servants had been a greater influence in the affairs of the colony than their number justified. Mr Fisher read a copy of a letter he bad forwarded to the Minister of Railways in June, 1905, referring to MeCullough's taking an active part in politic*, and requesting that all civil servants be placed on the same footing. The Minister had replied that the matter was being looked into. He hoped the Government had decided to put McCullougli out of the service, but if not, he hoped they intended to cancel the regulations under wdiich McCullongh had been suspended. The Premier, replying to Mr Fisher, said the Government had never given an indication that a member of the Civil Service had no right to mention a case, or to ask a question of a member of Parliament, as a civil servant had every right to ask a question of a member of Parliament. He reiterated his statement that in MeCullough's, as in other cases, the Government acted impartial-

Mr T. MeKenzie said that too much preference had been given to political views, and too little to ability in making appointments in the Civil Service during the past 15 years. Mr. Major considered civil servants should not take an active part in politics. He added that in almost every ease of alleged grievance made to him by civil servants lie had found their statements groundless.

Mr. W. Fraser contended that the regulations were framed in the interest of preserving discipline in the departments, and the Government must see that the regulations were observed. •Mr. Flatman pointed out that the Bill would not effect MeCullough's case in any way, unless made retrospective.

The motion to kill the Bill was lost on the voices, and after Mr. Barclay had replied, the first reading of the Bill was agreed to by 48 to 19. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m.