PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 86, 2 October 1911, Page 8

PARLIAMENT

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. By Telegraph—Press Association. I Wellington, Saturday. After midnight the Mines Vote passed a.nd the Department of Internal Affairs ( £325,118) was proceeded with. Mr. Allen asked when the report of the Public Service Classification Board would be laid on the table. Mr. Burtd-o said it was not ready yet. Mr. Massey wanted to 'know whether steps were to be taken, to institute a system of registration of deaths among the Maoris. Mr. Field said he l:ad urged the matter for ten veal's. Native children were dying off and no steps were taken to trace the causes, or to com'bat the infantile diseases which the ignorance ot Maori mothers were permitting to .besome more prolific in results.

The Minister admitted that the system was incomplete. It was a difficult matter, but with the help of the Native councils he hoped- to luring about a system that would meet the difficulty. In the House, after 2 a.m., Mr. Herdman moved ito reduce the amount of the electoral item by £5 as an indication that the present method 'of compiling electoral rolls was entirely unsatisfactory. The motion was lost on the voices.

Messrs. Malcolm and Jennings complained of the difference between the electoral census methods in the country and town districts. Mr. Buddo said there was no house-to-house canvas ill the remote districts, but the work was done by the postmasters aiul appeared to have been done satisfactory. Mr. iMassey moved to reduce the vote for the High Commissioner's office by £5 as .an indication that the annual report by the High Commissioner should be laid on the taible of the House. This was lost by 24 votes to 10. Progress was reported at 4 a.m., and the House then rose.