PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 October 1917, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

By TelegrapJt.-VPresa Association. -m. r•• , WW l ™. La** Night Jne Legislative, Council met at,230. The Statute Law Amendment Bill was read a first 'time; lUvmqvirig the swond reading, Sir Francis Bell said the Goveminent intended to place in a new form the provisions for suspending or modifying the labor laws end awards, so as to permit of the'employment of disabled .soldiers. • The.Billwas roa4 a second time. ■ In committee, on the motion of Rir Francis Bell, clause 10, relating t6 the suspension of awards to facilitati the employment of disabled soldiers, was struck out, and a new clause added providing for the detention in police stations gf persons sentenced to imptfsonment for less than seven days, or, tyhere there is no polico gaol or prison, detention in a police station for not more than seven days of persons sentenctd to more than seven days, or awaiting trial. The other clauses were passed, and progress waß reported. The Council decided to adhere tft the amendments made in the Expeditionary Forces Amendment Bill, and appointed Sir Francis Bell, Eons. Carson, Moor* tnd Barr as managers to meet the HotiM of Representatives managers. A motion of appreciation of the lite Hon. W. Beehan was passed, and the Council adjourned for the afternoon, in token of respect.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WAR LEGISLATION BILL, The House met at 3.30, and proceeded to consider the amendments made bj ihe Legislative Counoil in the War leoig. lation Bill. ' Mr. Herdman explained that *h« Council had amended clause 16, by tvtending relief to contractors who entered into contract* before or after the passing of the Act, if the contracts were interfered with by war conditions. Tl» Council had also amended elause 29 !by providing that any civil servant whose services are compulsorily retained foy the State, and refuse* to d' km wort his superannuation rights shall not be preserved to him. The Minister moved tbi,t the amendments be agreed to, Several members urged that aucb. a condition should notfce forced upon-ven who had earned their retiring allowance, and who were -entitled to retire if they wished to do so. They pointed put that if a civil servant was entitled to retire on an allowance of £2, and was compelled to remain at £3, he would be working for only £1 a week, and tibat was unfair. Mr. Herdman said the position was that many young »** were fearing (the service to go to the front to jfight for those who remained behind, and it svas hot much of a sacrifice to ask men in good positions to mate t» remain la'the service and give the wastry the beHedt of their long txpertew*. However, in order to prevent a long debate and waste of time, he was ■quite prepared tofltoagree with the amendment, about w>ich he waß not very particular. This jw agreed to, and Messrs Buddo, Vetwh, Parr and Herdman were appointed' to draw up reasons for disagreeing. EXPEDITIONARY FORCES Blli.. The Minister of Defence moved Aat the amendments made by the Council in the Expeditionary Forces Amendment Bill, by the elimination of clause 3/W empting clergy and teachers from service, be disagreed with. Mr. Lee aaid he would vote to .refer the amendment back to the Council,'because he wished to see the clergy,exempt, but net teacher*. The motion was agreed to, and the Premier, Sir Joseph Ward, Sir J. Findtay and the mover were appointed a committee to draw up reasons for disagreeing with amendments. Later, the Speaker announced that the committee had agreed to urge Upon the Council that their amendment Was not in the best Interests of the ctnratf*. The Premier, lh the course of ft Sympathetic and appreciative speech, moved the customary motion of oohdolence with the family and relatives of the late Wm. Beehan, a former member of the Legislative Council, recently deceased. Other members paid tribute to the patriotism and public services of the deeeised gcntlemaii. The House adjourned at 3.85 till 7.30, as a mark of respect to his memory. When the House resumed at.7.30, a message was received from the Legislative Council, intimating that the Council insisted upon its amendments to the Kxpedltionary Forces Bill, and assigning us the reiuon that the Counoil considered no claj>a for special exemption should be defined. Sir James Allen moved that the House ask for a conference. The motion van purried, and the House imnrtttlfttety adjourned. At, 7.55 a message was received from the Council, announcing it had tigfced to a conference, and appointing same foi R o'clock, in the Legislative Council. On the motion of the Premier, the House attain adjourned till the ringing of-the bell. , • . At 11.35 the House resumed, when Ihe speaker announced that the managers oi the Mouse Had been unable to arrive at any agreement with the CiSuflcil. I, Sir James Allen moved that a fUttjhet conference be asked for. and that Meson MacdonaUl, Hemes, tviiford arid :the mover be the new managers on behalf ol the House. This was agreed to. ' The 'Premier then moved that ,\the House adjourn till 11 o'clock to-morrow morning.