PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 123, 11 October 1912, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

•THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. CEMETERIES BILL The Cemeteries Amendment Bill was finally passed. PUBLTC SERVICE BILL. The Council resumed the Public Service Bill in committee. On clause 0, providing that the Commissioner, or assistant-commissioners should not be approached, directly or indirectly, with a view to appointments or promotions, Mr. Anstey moved to strike out the first word, with the object of killing the clause. Mr. Bell declined to accept the amendment, and after an hour's discussion it was withdrawn.

A further proposal with a similar oljoct was negatived by 31 to 6. On the motion of Mr. Bell, sub-section 3 of clause 6 was altered to read: "Any officer who directly or indirectly solicits or endeavors to influence the commissioner or assistant-commissioners for the purpose of obtaining promotion or increase of salary, shall be deemed to be unworthy of such promotion or increase, and it shall not be accorded him, and he shall be liable to immediate dismissal."

The original clause applied to "all persons" applying for appointment, and the alteration now permits applications, but prohibits officers applying for promotions.

On sub-clause 3 of clause 7, which provides that the term of appointment of the commissioners should be for seven years, Mr. Paul moved to substitute five years for seven years. Discussion on the amendment was postponed, and the Council adjourned. The Council resumed at 8 p.m. THE PHARMACY BILL.

In Committee on the Pharmacy Amendment Act on Mr. Bell's motion, clause 9, dealing with chemists paying commission on doctors' prescriptions, was altered to read, "every proprietor, manager or registered chemist who pays or offers to pay commission on a prescription is guilty of an offence." Another amendment providing against chemists supplying doctors with prescription forms bearing any notification of the address of such proprietor or chemist, was also made.

The Bill was reported with amendments.

LOCAL AUTHORITIES SUPERANNUATION.

In- the Local Authorities Superannuation Amendment Bill, clause 2, the Minister agreed to Mr. Barr's amendment providing for the inclusion of all who became contributors within six months of the establishment of the fund. Another amendment by Mr. Jenkinson, limiting all future superannuation allowances to £3OO, was carried by 11 to 7. The Bill was reported with amendments. ..'. ■ DIVORCE. In the second reading of the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Amendment Bill Mr. Bell said that the measure provided for a reduction from ten to seven years of the period of confinement in a lunatic asylum necessary ae a cause for divorce. Another amendment was for legalising the marriage again of either party as soon as a decree absolute is granted. He remarked many people did not realise that it had been necessary to wait three months after the granting of a decree absolute before a divorced party could again mam-'.

Tile Bill was read a second time. SECOND READINGS.

The Wanganui River Trust and Hauraki Plains Amendment Bills were read a second time.

The Council adjourned.

HOUSit OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House met at 2.30 p.m. A VOTE OF CENSURE.

Mr. Brown gave notice to move a motion censuring the Government for its action in discharging co-operative workers from the Napier railway works. THE LAND BILL. The Prime Minifiter indicated that he would probably move the second reading of the Land Bill on Tuesday.

PUBLIC WORKS.

Replying to Mr. Poland, whp asked if the Government had ceased work on the Waihi-Tauranga' railway, in order that men engaged there might assist the Waihi Gold-mining Company, Mr. Fraser said that lie could give the statement an emphatic denial. He stated that the Public Works Statement would be down next week.

Mr. McKenzie, said that he hoped the Government would treat Mr. Brown's motion as a Mant-of-confidence motion, so that all 'members could air their grievances in connection with the stoppage of public works all over the Dominion. In his own district a number of men had been put off railway works. Mr. Massey replied that he would treat the motion as a want-of-confidence motion if he had an assurance that Mr. Brown had consulted the leader of the Opposition before moving it.

BUSINESS OF THE SESSION. Mr. Massey, in moving that the House sit on Monday evenings for the remainder of the session, mentioned that he would make a statement to the House on Tuesday next, as to what business the Government intended to proceed with this session.

Mr. Masses read a cablegram from London, stating that good fair quality hemp had brought £3l, and fair grade £29 15s. This, he said, was the highest price realised lor the past twenty years, and augured a prosperous season. *

IN MEMORTAM. Mr. Massey moved a motion of condolence in connection with the death of the late Hon. J. Marshall, M.L.C.; also that the House plac on record its appreciation of the valuable services rendered to the country by the deceased gentleman. Sir Joseph Word, and Messrs.' Seddon, Buchanan and .McKenzie made feeling reference to the deceased, after which the Prime Minister moved the adjournment of the House till 7.30 as a mark of respect to Mr. Marshall's memory.

NATIVE LAND BILL. In the House this evening the Native Land Amendment Bill was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Native Affairs Committee. THIRD READINGS.

The Land Tax and Income Tax Bill were read a third time and passed. DEFENCE. Mr. Allen .moved the second reading of the Defence Amendment Bill. He praised the work done by Sir Joseph AVard and Mr. Myers. The question, he said, had never been a, party one, and he hoped it would continue to be a national one and above party. (Members: Hear, hear.) During the last few weeks lie had been jrrcatly gratified by tfcc favorable comments of local bodies on the national defence scheme. The best way to preserve peace was to be prepared to defend ourselves. Speaking of fines imposed for non-service he explained that military detention fluid been substituted for imprisonment. The detention would be ordinary detention in camp or barrack*;. In the case of absolute refusal of duty there was still the power of imprisonment. There would

be no severe imprisonment. Men could go to their ordinary duties, but would be expected to be in back in the evening, pd would undergo military detention in order to avoid committal to barracks and detention. Power was given to magistrates to attach youth's wages. The Minister explained that junior cadets were taken out of the scheme, and it was proposed that there should be an entirely new scheme in regard to primary The Government proposed a system of physical training in schools which would ensure that both boys, and girls were trained and developed on sound lines. The training of junior cadets would be carried out by non-com-missioned officers of the defence force. For /religious objectors no military duty would be enforced, but a corresponding sacrifice of time would be required. As to old volunteer forces, it was proposed to take ovqr all property and all liabilities of these. In case of country districts', it was proposed to give power by way of regulation to do away with drills in camp, and power was given to the Governor to exempt special and remote areas from service. The Minister referred in eulogistic terms to the meritorious achievements of our cadets in Canada.

Mr. Russell contended that the country's dangers were naval, not military. The people of New Zealand had to make up their minds to spend more for naval defence than they did now. The subsidy to the Imperial navy should be largely increased. Also' a first-class naval base should be established in a centre in New Zealand. Naval brigades should be established at all the principal ports.

Mr. Hindmarsh said that a system of military caste had been introduced which was to be deplored. Tory parties all over the world were in favour of military training in Europe. The great struggle was between the military class and the industrial class. The Government, if it was' wise, would reverse the policy of the Ward Government on military defence, and allow free scope for conscientious objections. Sir Joseph Ward contended that this country was. doing no more for defence than it should do. He held that the only reason for any exemption should be strictly on religious grounds. Leaders of the old. voluntary system, he said, had welcomed the introduction of the compulsory system. He declared that imprisonment for non-compliance with the provisions of the Act had never been contemplated in the Original Bill. After midnight Mr. Fisher contended that the platform of the Labor party in New Zealand would never be complete till it included national defence, after the example of" the Australian Labor party. Mr. Myers considered that it was a matter for con<?ratulation that the organisation of the Territorial army was now complete. He denied the statement of Mr. Hindmarsh that the workers were against the scheme.

(Left Sitting at 2 a.m.)