PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 88, 4 October 1911, Page 8

PARLIAMENT

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3. | LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Council met at 2.30. The .Tlutt Railway and Road Improvement Amendment Bill was read a second time. The Attorney-General moved the second reading of the Ilauraki Plains Amendment Bill, remarking that the work done in the district was one of the, most profitable and beneficial that had' ever been undertaken in New Zealand, and indicated that the Government should not hesitate to step forward and initiate works of this character. The' Bill was read a second time. The Mental Defectives Bill was read aj third time and passed. The Pajpukaio Water-race Bill (Hon. Mr. Jones) was read a second time. The Wanganui Seliol Site Bill was passed in committee without amendment, and read a third time and passed. Hie I'a.teiri.s, Designs and Trade-marks Bit! and the. Sir Donald McLean Memorial Park Bill were, on the motion of the Attorney-General, read a second time. The Council adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The Hoilsc mot at 2.H0. Replying to Mr. Fisher, the Acting-' Premier said the amendment to the electoral law would be introduced this nession. Sir James Carroll also informed Mr. Reed the printing of the electoral rolls was being expedited. An amendment made by the 'Legislative Coundl in the Friendly Societies Kill, to bring the measure into operation in 11)12, instead of immediately, was agreed to on the motion of the Hon. Mr. Millar. On the motion to go into committee of supply on the Kstimates, Mr. Reed moved an amendment that the time had arrived ,for the installation of submarine signalling apparatus oil the shipping ol the Dominion.

Hon. .1. A. Millar admitted that the matter was of great importance, and said lie was approaching the owners of the apparatus with a view to obtaining tilt sole rights for the Dominion. The present charge was too heavy to admit of the system being -brought into general use, but i( .the (ioveniment acquired the rights it would be prepared to make payment from shipowners extend over a number oi years.

(Mr. Heed's amendment was negatived. The House then went info committee on the Estimates.

Continuing on those of the Internal A Hairs Department ( £'2o,lilß), several members urged 'paying adequate salaries to and shortening of hours of attendants at mental hospitals, and referred to the present overcrowding of such institutions.

A suggestion by Mr. Fowlds for one central institution met with opposition on the score of the heavy cost to relatives travelling to see patients. The Hon. Mr. Buddo, in reply, said the .Supplementary Estimates would provide for a sull'ieient sum to meet the increases in salaries for the year. Dealing with the matter of accommodation, the .Minister said the proposal for a large central hospital did not do away with the present hospitals, which would be continued, It was supplementary to the present .system. With regard to the average hours attendants were at present working, viz., GII4 hours, this would be reduced to ST 1 /®. Attendants would have every fifth day off, with 24 days' leave annually. As .far as possible the aibove would be given effect to. The llev. Isitt urged the Government to hold its hand until after the election, as, if electors in a few weeks recognised their responsibilities in the matter of the liquor traffic, the mental hosipitals would be half emptied and new institutions would not be required. The House adjourned at 5.30. EVENING- SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30.

Tiic Hun. Bmldo, replying to criticisms mid questions regarding the Internal Affairs vote, said the Department was providing for two European and two native nurses nurses for the natives. He favored a system of lectures for natives to inculcate in them the benefits of home nursing. Hospital boards would in future do more for the health of the natives.

Mr. Grcenslade objected to the cheeseparing policy of the Government in connection with the Cambridge Sanatorium, and asserted there was not sufficient care in the medical inspection of immigrants. Mr. Allen moved to reduce the vote for hospitals and charitable aid by £l, as a protest that the law had not been complied with, the Minister not having laid the hospital and charitable aid report on the table of the House within 21 days of the assembling of Parliament.

The amendment was negatived by 37 to 31).

Mr, Fisher sought information concerning the functions of the Inspector of Fire Brigades. He did not see that there was occasion for an appointment of the kind. The duties were, so far as he could sec, comparatively small, and he was inclined to 'believe the billet had been created for the officer. Mr. Allen moved to reduce the sum of .£•».">() for the entertainment of visitors by C 5. The division resulted in a tie, viz., 2S to -S. The chairman (Mr. Colvin) gave his casting vote against the amendment. Mr. Fisher moved the reduction of the vote for uniforms and overcoats for messengers by CIUO as an indication that the State should manufacture its own uniforms for all departments instead of purchasing by contract. The amendment was lost by ill to 1,3. and the total vote passed.

The next class taken was Customs, Marine and Harbors ( €123,81)2).