PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 188, 30 July 1908, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 21). LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Tho Council met at 2.30. Xhe lion. Jenkinson moved tliat there be laid on the table the evidence given at the trial 01 Ciempson at invercargill, and the report of the presiding Judge, The motion was agreed to.

The Incorporated Societies Bill waa read a third time and passed. The New Zealand Society of Accountants' Bill waa re-cominitted and minor machinery .amendments made. The Council adjourned at 2.55 till Friday.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30. Replying to questions, Ministers stated that no one had been sent or authorised by the Government to examine into the conditions of prohibition in the United States or elsewhere; the matter of instituting a searching enquiry into the timber industry of the Dominion was receiving the attention of the Government; arrangements were being made to give employment to a large number of men on various railway works; the suggestion to issue free railway passes to Auckland and back to the mayors and their wives during the visit of the American fleet cannot be approved; the Government cannot see its way to further reduce t'lie tariff; the question of allowing a workman lessee to buy. his improvements in the same manner as provided in the Land Act in order to enable him to acquire freehold is now under considers tion.

On the report of a committee recommending to the Government favorable consideration of the petition of an old and honored Christclnireh resident for tin old age pension from wliWh he llad been debarred because he has a Small residential property, a general discussion arose showing that the general opinion of the House was strongly m favor ol an amendment of the Pensions Act in the direction of not debarring old people from the benefit of the Act because (1) thrift has enabled them to make small provision; (2) of not cancelling a pension for five years for exeeptionareases of drunkenness which is equivalent to a fine of 10s weekly for that term; and (3) of not absolutely debarring old residents of good character simply because they are unable to produce documentary evidence of their age. The Premier, replying to criticisms of the administration of the Act, spoke of the officer in charge as highly capable, As the Act wis to be amended, lie would not now debate the subject. The report of the Petitions Committee on the petition of John Freebody, who many years ago was wrongly imprisoned and now petitioned for assistance until he reached the old age pension stage, waj presented, recommending favorable consideration. The Premier remarked tihat the case was an unusual oile; that of a man who 23 years ago had been wrongfully imprisoned, and who now in liis old age found himself in want, 'J-he representations made would receive favorable consideration.

The House adjourned at 5.30. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. Mr. Hogg moved the second reading of the Flour Duty Bill, and while admitting the Treasury bench and front Opposition bench formed too strong an opposition to enable him to hope to get the Bill througli, he would never relax his effort to abolish the iniquitous tax. The second reading was lost by 33 to

Mr. R. McKenzie, for Mr. Guinness (the Speaker) moved the Bccond reading of the Hours of Underground Workers' Bill, the object of which was to limit the days of work to eight hours with, overtime therefatcr, and half an hour for meal time, these conJ ditions to be unalterable by any Arbitration Court. Several members strongly supported the Bill, Dr. Chappie averring that underground work was injurious to health. Mr. McGowan, wliile agreeing to the principle of the Bill, pointed out that it was defective in parts and that some respects it was covered by the existing law. The Premier said lie had promised to submit an amendment of the mining laws. He objected to clause 3, which was a reflection upon the Arbitration Court, whether intended or not. Mr Lewis and Mr Baitnic also objected to clause 3. The Bill was rend a second time on the voices, and referred to the Mines Committee.

ill'. Fisher moved the second reading of the Destitute Persons Act Amendment Bill, providing that grandparents or the grandchild of nnv destitute person shall not bo proceeded against for support of a destitute person until steps be taken against other near relations and fail. The Hill was carried on the voices.

Ml". Witty moved the second reading of the Auctioneers' Amendment Bill, requiring auctioneers to take out licenses in the district where tliey did the bulk of tlleir business; also to compel them to sell to the highest bidder. ftonie members opposed the Bill in its present form, but t'he second reading was agreed to on the voices. The second reading of t'he Local Elections Act Amendment, Bill, to amend a technical defect in the principal Act, was moved by Mr. G, Steward and carried on the voices. The House rose at 11.38 p.lll.