PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 65, 3 August 1912, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 1912. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. By Telegraph—Parliamentary Reporter. Wellington, Last Night. The House met at 2.30. Mr. 1 isher gave notice to introduce the Shipping and Seamen's Amendment Bill and the State Fire Insurance Amendment Bill. • The following bills were read a first time:—Gaming Act Amendment Bill (Mr. Hunter), Waitemata County Council Empowering Bill (Mr. Herries) j Unregistered Nurses' Registration Bill (Mr. Payne), Sumner Foreshore Empowering Bill (Mr! Lsurenson). ° Mr. Hanan laid before the House the report of the Privileges Committee. The committee found that Mr. Sinclair's "letter in connection with the Wairau election was published and was not privileged. The committee further reported that 'Mr. Sinclair desired to be heard in , defence before the bar of the House. Mr. Russell asked the Prime Minister whether he proposed to take any action, in view of the committee's report, Mr. .YJassey replied that the matter had been sprung upon him. Ho had not had the slightest idea that it was coming before the House that afternoon. He desired to see the report and evidence before making any statement, on the matter. After the Tfiuse had discussed Ministerial rrnlies to questions, Mr. Massey moved that Mr. F. Lang be appointed Chairman of Committees. 1 lie motion was unopposed, and was carried. The usual sessional committees were set up. Mr. Allen tabled a statement of revenue for the year ended 1012. Compared with 1011 the revenue for the current vea;-. ending July 31, was £11.100.174, and for the previous year £10.500,083, a nett increase on all transactions ; ,of £000,401. For four months of the current year the revenue was £3.020,14."). compared with last year's total of £ 1.830.150. The nett increase was £ 150,005. The House adjourned at 5.30. i The House resumed at 7.30. I THE VICE-COVER NOR. : Mr. Herdman moved the second reading i ot the Deputy-Governor's Powers Bill I providing that during the temporary abI sc. nee of the Governor from the seat of j Government or from New Zealand, all j powers and authorities conferred on or | vested in the Governor may be exercised ! !, - v a PP rso » appointed by'the Governor [ to be his deputy during sueh absence. I The Bill was read a'second time. I PHOTOS AX I) FINGER-PRINTS. > Mr. Herdman moved the second readin? of the Prisons Amendment Bill which provided for the taking of photo,graphs, finger-prints and measurements of all persons accused of offences, as well as those convicted. It was further provided that any prisoner who refused to obey such regulation, after the same had en read to him by an officer of the ■ gaol, would be deemed to be guilty of , an aggravated offence. | Mr. Laurenson said that the taking of finger prints of accused persons did not appeal to him, nor did the provision in the Bill for punishing those who objected to undergo the operation. Mr. Bradney suggested an amendment that nil traces of finger-prints should be lemoved if an accused person were found not guilty. Mi. Ilanan advocated a proper system of gaol inspection. He did not 'agree with the present method. A good man should be secured for the post of inspec-, tor of prisons. Ho thought sueh a man could be secured in New Zealand. He i desired to take the opportunity of giving his reasons for not laying the ; report before the House. Evidence was given to him as confidential, and contained allegations against the Key. Kayall. He would not publish an cx-parte statement given in confidence. • j, *. Mr. Malcolm saw no humiliation in leaving one's finger-prints in official quartei s. It was not so bad as taking a man's photograph, which he under" stood was done now. An innocent man might be able to prove his innocence through his finger-prints. Mi. Ilinilniarsh asked the Minister of Justice to consider the matter of making a distinction between prisoners incarcerated for debt and ordinary criminals. Mi. Isitt tliQught that there was no humiliation in having finger-prints taken, but he thought the prison authorities' , should use some discretion in the matter. For instance, if a man knocked another man down he need not have his fingerprints taken. ° A voice: "They .were already taken." Mr. Henlman, in reply, said that it j\vas essential to take finger-prints, of accused persons, and instanced the case of a burglar having left his prints on a window. flow, he asbed. could they connect a mail with a crime if thev'could not take tine accused's prints? 'lie. re- ■ ferml incidentally to the prison farm at Tokanui, tlie development of which, lie Raid, depended upon tire finances of'the country. The Minister also paid a tribute to the Prison Board, 'fluey were' ' doing exc«re<l.ingly well, lie said. The second reading was agreed to on the voices. DIPLOMA OF HEALTH. . The second reading of the New Zealand University Amendment Bill, pro vidiiig for tJie conferring of a diploma in . public health by the Senate, wa.s moyed by Mr. Allen, who held, that the time h;wl arrived when it was desirous to train men in New Zealand for work in connection with public health. Mr. Sidey 'held that 'the university .had. no statutory power to grant a diploma. They couild grant degrees or certificates, but not diplomas. Mr. Russell held that the time had an.iyed foi the modernising &n<l democratising of university senates. The fees charged for <wumiini*tion, 'he said, were unreasonably and unfairly high, because the Senate received a very large snbsidy from the Government, The university would never progress until the large outside interests now .unrepresented were allowed to take part and- expires* themselves in the senate. Mr. Malcolm said that he would like to see many of the recommendations made in regard to university reform carried out. He was of opinion that in some cases the student was sacrificed for. the piofessor. He thought the position should b- up versed, and *l,e professor £:icr-ifiml for tiJie student. , Mr. Allen, in reply. sa id that 1w« wished to make it plain that this diploma of [wiofur lu»altli was not tho -onlinaTy diphmin. given ] )v . colleges, which had power to give a diploma of less value no\\\ The wry reason .for coming to Ifiliament was to be able to 'i-ive, in 1 addition to degrees already attained, ' ether in mvilicin.'. midwi.ferv or •sitrsrerv. :l ,dip'<"»a in jiiililic limith. Tip'held •jii'le »« :|eii!.i<-rali,. v i-w> Mr. i.ir-.seil ii. _mr:ir<| to nnivnsily rcf<-nn. The r.-■-ii i of lliese relorms would hr> felt in years to come. Hi'' Bill wi* road a second time on the The Hou-e adjourned at 11.10 p.m.