PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 66, 8 September 1911, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, l'Jll. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. 'Hie Legislative Council met at -2.30. The Methodwt Charitable and Educational Trusts Bill was read a thiTd time and passed. The Hon. Mr. Jones moved to make the Field l Divorce Bill the order of the day for the second reading next sitting day. 'Hie second reading had ljeen previously negatived. Mr. Jones read certificates from medical men showing that Mrs. Feild had been hopelessly insane for more than ten years. The Hon. Mr. Bigg admitted the case was exceptional; and the Bill might be reinstated for second readme. The Hon-. Mr. Samuel considered it undesirable to pass the motion arid renew the second reading. The debate had already been disposed of. After further discussion the motion was agreed to by 7 to 9. The Attorney-General informed the Hon. Mr. Barr that he would look into the cost of preparing a return of the number of unions* of employers and workers and the number of rwmliers of each in each year since the passing of the Industrial Conciliation Act. The debate upon the second reading of the Mental Defectives Bill was resumed by the Hon. Mr. Luke, who heralded the { Bill with delight, as a further step in the j humanitarian legislation of the past few years. Jfe defended the proposal for J licensing private institutions, which, like private hospitals, could serve a useful purpose. He considered the voluntary section, whereby ]>eot>!e feelinir an attack approaching, could enter an institution for treatment, excellent. The Hon. Mr. Sinclair pointed out that the recognition of private institutions was a re-enactment of the present law, and in any case there were the best of reasons why such institutions should be maintained. The debate was adjourned, and the Council rose. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. ABOUT A GARDENER. The chairman of the Public Petitions Committee moved to lav on the table a petition from the gardener at Government House, praying for an enquiry into his dismissal. Mr. Fisher said the case needed investigation'. The man was dismissed, according to the head gardener, for interviewing prominent Opposition members. Tf Government employees of anv standing at all wished to converse with members, they had to do so in the dark. The Hon. H. McKenzie said the man was dismissed when the work he was engaged for was concluded, and for no other reason. There was nothing in Mr. Fisher's argument that civil servants were afraid to be seen conversing with members. Mr. Massev traversed the statement. There was, he said, a feeling on the part of people employed by the Government, that, they were afraid to be seen conversing with members of the Opposition, lie knew this to he absolutely correct. The Ton. T. McKcn/ie -"i : d there wis not a Minister who wovld think <>,f dismissing a public servant for stating a grievance. The report was laid on the table. OTHER BILLS. The Papakaia Water Race District \alida.tion Bill -wns read a. third time and passed. The Greytown Town tends and Hospital Lands Exchange Bill, the On.ln.7lru Muni -ipal Exchange ami Market Reserve Leasing Bill, the Sir Donald Mo-T-can Memorial Park Bill, the Wangantn Harbor Board \ esting Bill,, were reportel from committee without amendments. The Waikowhai Park Bill (Mr. Lang) was read a second time. OAMTXG AM KXDMEXT BILL. The House went into committee on the flaming Amendment Bill. Sir Joseph Ward suggested that Mr. Jennings .should not, proceed with the Hill._ There appeared! to be a giVat diversity of opinion concerning the commission's report, and the country clubs were no doubt disa-itisfied. There'seemed, to him to a good deal to warrant the representation- nvade by the country clnhs. He thought, the commission hrid done its work to the best, of its ability. He suggested it should be set up again to reconsider the whole position-. 'Yhe country clubs would ha ve an opportunity then of placing their views before it. He mad,i". the suggestion to obviate, a low debate o-t the Bill. ITe would comnnniN ? !, t« with the pre-id-ont of the co'iimis-s-ion within the wok. The whole thing would be done, this session, Mr. Herries said the doubtful point vais whether « meiniber should take his chances with the Bill or accept the Premier's assurances. Tf Sir Joseph Ward's suggestion wore tal<en up. the commissioti'M report may come down after the session. TTe was well acouainted wilh the personnel of the commv-sion. -mil lie was sure they would not alter their report. Mr. Jennings said he was ,prepared to accept the Premier's si"'.»-.''e«tioii -m' report progress on the Hill, provided he was assured thev would be able to sit tiinain on t'he Hill if a second report of tie- commission wis not. in agreement with a maiority of the Hon--. Mr. <!. M. .Thompson said the Premier was asking the commission to do -<no"thing 110 M'lf-ro-peHin'j men would do. After a lengthy discussion on familiar lines. Mr. Jennings said he was prepared to accent: the Premier's' sieges lion, provided t-lle co-nmisMon reported within -1 week, and he hid le-i-e to discuss. Hi" Bill next Thm-sdav. He did not i-iiend, to dinp tlie Bill without- -onie a-surance tint he would "ct sat isfacl ion. Sir Joseph Ward s-id fl-at wV't he had suggested would lie in compliance with th« iiresenit Act. As a. final the Hoi|s»> divided OM (lie motion t<> roimyt pynwss, with tn sit again. The motion W as carried bv -y> to 14. 1..AV1) A-'fFXTS R.EGTSTRATIOX ISHL. The commVlee then considered the Land Agents Registration Bill. Mr. Russell asked for a statement from Ministerial hem-lies whether the f,'overmncnt would take up the measure. Mi'- B'tiddo stated that he had mentioned. 011 the second reading of the Bill, that Hie Government had intended bringing down a Land Agents Bill, wlii-h would en further (ban the pvopo-i d (till, Mr. illy moved to report progress, with leave to sit again. The, motion was carried The Christchnrch Domain HoimlAmendment Bill (Mr. Dnvey) was road a second time. The House rose at midnight'.