PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 149, 3 October 1910, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16. HOU&frOF REPRESENTATIVES. By Telegraph..—T>rp«s Association. Wellington, October 1. After midnight Mr. Phillips' motion to reduce the Post and Telegraph Department vote by £l, as aa indication of dissatisfaction at the impost of 3d per call an the case of telephone subscribers, was rejected by 37 to 20, and the clause passed. Railways (£222,327) were next taken. Mr. Sidey hoped that the Minister would put casuals on a better footing than they are at present, Mr. T. Taylor asked whether the Minister would give effect to the promise of his predecessor that on the passing of certain medical tests casuals would be ranked as permanent hands. He suggested that at least men who had actually received this promise should have it fulfilled. Mir. Millar said, in regard to the casuals mentioned by Mr. Taylor, that a number of these had been placed on the permanent list, and it was hoped to absorb them all in time. Mr. Laurenson urged that a concession should be made in regard to railway fares in the case of parties consisting of a man, wife and family. In several Continental countries a wife travelled at half, rates. After 2 o'clock the Minister replied to a number of points raised by members, chiefly of local interest. The railway vote was pasoed unaltered. The House rose at 2.40 a.m.