PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 175, 3 November 1910, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. In the Legislative Council this afternoon managers were appointed to confer with managers of the other House on amendments made in the By-laws Bill. The debate on the second reading oi the Aid to Water-power Works Bill continued. The Hon. R. Louglnian and Paul spoke in terms of approbation of the measure, after which Dr. Findlav replied, entering chiefly into a detailed and technical defence of the scheme against the Hon. Jenkinson's criticism. He saia that in the whole scheme the country was going to get one of the greatest of | permanent blessings. The Bill was read a second time, and was put through its final stages. The Council then rose. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Premier announced that he proposed to go on with the second reading of the Licensing Bill to-morrow afternoon. In reply to Mr. Massoy, he said that the Land Bill would be taken after the Licensing Bill had been put through the House. . The Labor Bills Committee reported that the Factories Act Amendment Bill should be allowed to proceed with the amendments suggested by the committee. The Rating Amendment Bill was read a second time pro forma. Replying to questions, Ministers stated that it is not proposed to introduce an amendment to the Land and Income Tax Assessment Act this session, with a view of affording relief from the graduated tax to industrial companies who are holding land for purposes of their business only; that claims of old soldiers will receive the earnest attention of the Government when these have been finally dealt with by the Magistrates; that it is proposed to pass ail amendment to the Public Service Classification and Superannuation Act this session; that, as opportunity offers, retrenchedofficers will receive consideration for reemployment. The amendments made in committee to the Harbor Amendment Bill were agreed to, and the Bill passed. The House went into committee on the Noxious Weeds Amendment Bill. The House rose at' 5.30 p.m. EVENING SESSION.

In the House this evening consideration of the Noxious Weeds Act was resumed in committee. An amendment by Mr. Field, providing for local authorities clearing the roads of noxious weeds, was negatived by 4G to 19. Mr. Allen moved a new clause amending section 19 of the principal Act by providing that charges of breach of the Act shall be heard by a Magistrate and two assessors appointed by the county council having jurisdiction over the lands which are the subject of the proceedings. The Minister declined to accept the clause, which was lost on a division by 48 to 18, and the Bill was reported without amendment. , The Taieri Land Drainage Bill was committed.

The Bill was reported with a feW verbal amendments.

The Gaming Bill Committee reported that after taking evidence and considering petitions it recommended that the Bill be allowed to proceed with the amendments made by the committee. Replying to Mr. Massey, the chairman of the committee (Mr. Laurenson) said it had been decided not to print the evidence, owing to the desire to accelerate tJhe progress of the Bill. The Hon. T. Mackenzie moved ■ the second reading of the Justices of the Peace Amendment Bill, which was agreed to.

The second reading of the Companies Amendment Bill was moved by Sir Joseph Ward, and was carried without discussion. NATIONAL PROVIDENT BILL. In moving the second reading of the National Provident Fund Bill, Sir Joseph Ward said the provisions of the Bill would, in several years' time, call for the expenditure of £50,000 yearly for national annuities and assistance to mothers. The Public Service Superannuation Fund had worked satisfactorily on the whole. The national provident fund was established on a similar basis for those who were not in the public service. It, of course, would not be open to people in receipt of moderate incomes, but would apply only to those having incomes of £2OO a year and less for some years. The contributions to the fund would be payable weekly, and could be paid at any post office. Pensions would be provided for those joining the fund, payable at the age of 60, varying in amount from 10s to 40s weekly, according to the rate of payment. The Bill would ameliorate the lot of widows and orphans, and have the effect of hastening marriages, which were often postponed for prudential reasons. By paying Is 3d a week, a man who subsequently marries and has four children, secures for himself a pension of 10a a week at 60 for the rest ol his life, an allowance of 30s a week during incapacity, and payment of £(i on the birth of each child. At death his widow and children receive an allowance of £1 17s Gd a week, while tJhe latter are under the a<ro of 14 rears.

Mr. Massey said he heartily supported the Bill, the principle of which he thoroughly approved. He had advocated in the past that a superannuation fund should be provided for ordinary citizens as well as civil servants. He did not commit himself to the approval of every detail of the Bill, nor as to its financial soundness. He regretted that the Bill had not been introduced earlier and referred to tlhe Public Accounts Committee, which could have taken evidence of actuaries as to its financial and political soundness. The House would have to consider the Bill under difficulties, considering the fact that members were working at high pjressure. He had doubts as to Whether the Bill would interfere with the wprk of friendly so, cieties.