PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 221, 11 September 1908, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

TUm.vJjAl, SKPTJi.uiJEK 10. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wellington, Last Nignt. the Council met at i.30 p.m. J-ile amendments made by tlie House to the Town Boards Amendment Bill and laupo No. 2 Block Uiil were put through committee, and read a third tnne and piUsi'd. CLiie Council adjourned ut 3 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATiiV'ES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. • Mr. Larenson presented a petition with. 11,250 sign atures praying lor the repeal of ■compulsory vaccination. On the report of the Petitions Committee, on the petition of Thomas | late manager of the W'eraroa state Farm Industrial School, for redress, liiat the committee had no recommendation to make, Mr. Lawry said Mr. Walker had been one of the most competent officers the State ever had, but haying incurred the displeasure or animosity of a Government official, he had been dismissed without any reason being assigned, and a satellite of the Hon. .Mr. Fowlds, who knew nothing of farming, had been put in his place. This was the most disgraceful job he had ever heard of. Mr. liana 11, chairman of the Education Committee, said there was no claim tor wrongful dismissal in the petition, but only a claim for alleged defamation of character. Mr. Hauan objected to the House being used as a Supreme Court to hear action of defamation of character. If the petitioner were aggrieved, he had the usual remedy. The report was referred back to the committee.

The Imponn ding Act Amendment Bill was reported from committee with amendments. In committee on the Agricultural Produce Sale and Importation Bill, the Hon.' Mr. McNab explained the object of the measure was to induce indent agents to exercise proper care against selling any produce which they have reasonable cause to believe contain seed of any injurious plant, or to be affected with any disease. Mr. Donald Reid moved to amend clause 3 by adding after the word "seed," the words, "In a state fit to germinate." This was agreed to, and the House rose at 5.30. The committee resumed the debate on the noxious weeds, the debate lieing continued at considerable length. [ Amendments were agreed to reducing 1 Ihe penalty, to £lO, and providing in \ the case of a conviction for annulling a , fale and the refund of purchase money. | The Bill was reported with the aniend- . menls. Mr. Miller moved the second reading of the Inspection of Machinery Amendl, ment Act, which extends tlie definition of boilers and machinery for inspection J purposes, and requires a certificated engineer to be in charge of all engine * and boiler. Various other amendments l , of tlie principal Act were included in the direction of bringing the law more ' r into conformity with the exigencies of 7 present conditions and latest developments.

Mr. Massey thought the Bill a good one, but said under it windmills would have to be inspected. That seemed unnecessary. He thought also' that harvesting machinery would have to he inspected. That seemed unnecessary. Mr. Massey criticised some of the technical provisions of the Bill, and t'nought the schedule far too heavy. He insisted upon the necessity of the inspecting of boilers of steam trolleys. Everything should be done necessary for public safety and nothing harassing to owners of machinery. In the course of the discussion which ensued it was • stated that the license fees would be harassing to industries. The necessity was emphasised for an examination test for drivers of moior cars, also, the imposing of a speed limit by statute. Mr. J. Alien did not see why marine conditions should be applied ill the case of private-owned boilers, when less onerous conditions sufficed on railways. Mr. Millar replied to the criticisms and the second- reading was carried on the voices. Mr. McNab moved the committal of tho Declaratory Judgment Bill to enable persons lo obtain by anticipation the Court's interpretation of the Statutes. This would enable a person proposing to lend money to a company or local body to ascertain whether the loan was ullra vires or not. Several members expressed the view that the Hill wae nil oxeelleut nieasuiv buL required some consideration in -committee. At clause 11 a discussion took place ns to whether tile Arbitration Court could be bound by declaratory judgment obtained precedent to a suit from the Supreme Court. ilr. Barclay objected to this as a Jiad policy. Clause 12 was amended by the insertion of the wolds: "Subject to any decision of a Privy Council." A new clause was added in regard to costs. The Bill was reported and the House rose at 1157 p.m.