PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 231, 23 September 1908, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LECIISLATtWi COUNCIL. I TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22. By Telegraph.- -Press Association. Wellington, Last Niglit. t The Council mot at 2.30. i SECOND BALLOT IiULL-A CLOSE i SHAVE, i The Atloriiey-Oeiielal moved uie 1 tlnrd rending of {he isccond Ballot Bill, | pointing out that seamen were nut disfranchised at the second ballot under . the new proposals. Strong objection was made to the "g.,g' chaise «,■ the lions. Canieioss, Louglinaii, Paul,' Samuel, O'Koi-ke, Jones C'alnan, Luke and R'gg. The last-named moved an I anieiHlmeiU that ihe Bill be re-cominit-tcd to ivconsider cluuse In. The Altorney-Oeiierul took strong exception to the amendment, and mimed that it was an attempt to kill the'f Kill, contending that there was a consensus of opinion in favor of the clause wilik-h was absolutely m-ccssarv to give ell'ect to the principle of the'Bill. It was an attempt at I st Liberalism,' and asked Coiiii.illors who desired to recognise this to pa>s the third read-' ing. The third reading passej on division by l(i votes to 10. ' OTHER BUSINESS. The Wellington and Manawaiu Rail-w.-iy Purchase Bill was reported from (Hie coinmittec iiiiflmend'ed. The second reading of the In-pection ' of .Machinery Amendment Bill was agreed to.

'flie second reading of the Public Bodies Leases Bill was agreed to after members had criticised tlie restricted powers in leasing by local bodies as existed at present. The Impounding Aiuendmcut Bill pass-' ed its second reading, also the Fire Brigades' Amendment. The Council rose at 0.35 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30. The formal business occupied the House until 5.10 p.m. INDUSTRIAL AXD CONCILIATION BILL.

The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill was further considered in committee. At clause lfl, relating to appeals from a Magistrate's Court to the Court of Arbitration, Mr. Millar moved a certain drafting amendment. Mr. Wilford thought the clause re-

quired careful consideration. There ought to be right of appeal on points of law and fact, but that was not at

present the case. The House adjourned at 5.30 and resumed at 7.30. In resuming the discussion on clauseID, Mr. Millar said he did not wish any 1 misconception to 'exist about the clause. There was no intention of allowing persons fined £2 to. £5 io appeal. Mr. Iteard said the curse of the Bill and its procedure was that it involved too much law-, too much Court, too much of lawyers. ("Hear, hear," from all parts of the House), If a magistrate were to decide a fine his decision should be abided by. Mr. Guinness moved an amendment in'

the direction of giving right of appeal on questions of law and of fact in all' cases in which the amount claimed exceeds ,C 5.

The Minister said Ire could not accept the amendment. Mr. Cuiuness hoped members would note that answer. It meant that the Minister wished to give the right of appeal to an employer and withhold it from workers. That was a monstrous proposal. Mr. Millar flatly denied he was giving something to the employer which lie was withholding from the worker. He would throw back in the teeth of any hon. member such an accusation.

Tiie Bill was absolutely fair, lie knew

what was at tliie buck of this. Lawyers thought -they would be deprived of their fees. Mr Baume protested strongly against the Minister's reflections upon the le-' gal profession. Mr. Cuinness said he was making no personal charge against the Minister, but merely staling what in his opinion the effect of the clause would be. The amendment was lost by 49 to U.

The Minister moved to amend the redrafted new sub-section 2 by inserting the words "To make the decision ot the Court of Arbitration final on appeals notwithstanding anything in the Declaratory Judgment Act, 1!)08.'' This was carried.

At clause 20, dealing with the enforcement of judgment, Mr. Millar moved the re-enacting in a modified form of the clause struck out by the Local Bills Committee requiring an employer to deduct fines from the men's wages.

'J he ilinister, after considerable discussion, said ho would accept an amendment proposed by Al i'. Sidey to include amongst the category of married persons, a widow, or widower with children, but did not lliiuk it necessary to include a- single man supporting a mother as proposed by Air. ljavey. After considerable discussion, the proviso, as amended, was agreed to. At this stage progress was reported to allow the Public Works Statement to be presented. Consideration of the Arbitration Bill was tllien resumed. Part i of the • Bill was' concluded with slight drafting amendments. Part 3, dealing with conciliation, was proceeded with. Clause 2(i was passed hi an amended form. It was proposed by the 11 mister to 'enable the Government lo appoint as many as four conciliation commissioners if necessary.

Mr. Alasscy said councils of conciliation with 7 members would be unwieldy. 'fire Minister agreed to ajter the clause to enable commissioners to appoint less than three assessors from either side if expedient. A protracted discussion ensued. Eventually tire clause was passed witiiomt further amendment. Clause i! 8 passed without debate. (Left Sitting).