PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 93, 5 September 1912, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

WEDNESDAY, .SEPTEMBER i. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. ELECTIVE COUNCIL BILL. In the Council this afternoon the debate on the motion for the committal of the Legislative Council Bill and Mr. Ormond's amendment to defer further consideration until next session, was. resumed by Mr. Jones, who denied that the Government had a mandate from the people on the subject. He held that time should be allowed both to th« people and members for further consideration. Mr. Anstey denied that in voting for the second reading he had affirmed the principle of election. All he had affirmed was that a change was desirable. He was opposed to the system proposed in the Bill. No good purpose would be served by allowing the Bill to pass. Mr. Callan said that it was recognised as a constitutional principle that the passing of the second reading of a measure endorsed the principle contained! therein. The Council, to be consistent and to maintain its dignity, should continue consideration of the Bill in committee. Mr Duncan thought that the Bill would; be better left alone for this year. The motion for committal was lost by 20 to 13. The following is the division list:— Against committal: Messrs. Baillie, George, Rigg, Jenkinson, Jones, Beehan, Gilmer, Baldie, Johnston, Ormond, Stevens, Miller, Kelly, Anstey, Harris, Louisson, Mills, Duncan, Samuel, Thompson. For committal: Messrs. Bell, Callan, Luke, Paul, Barr, Stewart, Parata, Smith, Collins, Louglman, McLean, McCardle, Wigram. BILLS PASSED. The Deputy-Governor's Powers Bill passed the committee stage, and the University Amendment Bill also passed through committee. The Council rose at 3.30 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RAILWAY ESTIMATES PUT . THROUGH. In the House, after midnight, Mr. Robertson's amendment, to 'reduce the railway vote by £l, as an indication that children under 14 years should ba tarried at second-class quarter rates, wa« lost by 36 votes to 24. At 1.20 a.m. Mr. Russell moved to report progress. The amendment wa& lost by ,37 to 18. Mr. Ell then moved a further amendment, that the vote be reduced by £l, as an indication that freights on' foodstuffs should be reduced. On a division the amendment was lost by 30 to> 18. * After further discussion the vote was passed, and the House rose at 2,10 a.m. QUESTION DAY. • The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Ministers, implying to questions, sahl that if opportunity offers this session the Government will a-efer the question of the revision of the rules of procedure of the House to the Standing Orders Committee for consideration, with a view to the expedition of business; it is intended in the case of endowment lands to insert a clause in the Land Bill now in course of preparation, providing that the rent to be paid by a tenant will commence one month from the date of ballot, so as to give a settler reasonahlt time in which to make preparations for working the section he intends to occupy; the question of extending the benefit of reduced immigration fares to the wives and children of men who, having already settled in New Zealand, aire desirous of bringing their wives out to join them, will receive .consideration; it !.is intended to introduce a Plumbers' Registration Bill very shortly; a report on the efficiency of the existing law in securing facilities for the seating of women shop assistants has been ordered. The remainder of the sitting was occupied in discussing answers. ,t» questions. The House resumed at 7.30. MARRIAGES VALIDATION BILL. Mr. McCallum moved the second reading of the Marriages Validation Bill, validating marriages between a man and his deceased wife's niece, or between a woman and her deceased husband's nephew. •Mr. Allen did not think it desirable to open the door to people who contracted illegal marriages with the hop* that the law would be amended in their favor. Mr. Tsitt characterised Mr. Allen's views as hidebound conservatism. .Objections to the Bill were purely ecclesiastical. The churches had no'right to limit the freedom of the State or 'of the people. Mr. Ell said that alliances of the kind were abhorrent to him. Mr. Russell thought that a report should be obtained from judges as to the operation of our marriage laws. The second reading was carried on'th* easting vote of the Speaker,, who held that if a marriage with a deceased wife's sister was legal the Bill should pass. The report of. the Civil Service Com- • mission was laid on the table REFORM OF THE UPPER HOUSE Replying to Mr. Russell, Mr. Massey said that in all probability the HousV would be given an opportunity of expressing its opinion on the question of whether the reform of the Upper House was necessary. He thought.the right thine had been done in giving the Council the first opportunity of expressing its oninion on the matter. DAYLIGHT SAVING BILL. The House went into committee on theNew Zealand Mean Time Bill (Mr. Sidey). Argument was adduced bv several members to show that the farming community would suffer by the proposed innovation. r Mr. Sidey replied that the alteration of time would not affect the country people to any extent. He pointed out that the cows, which appeared to be the particular stumbling block, were milked in the dark for many months of the vear The carrying of the Bill would probably benefit the town people more than country, people, but the general benefit was quite understood. (Left sitting).