HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 December 1918, Page 8

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington. Dec. 4. When the House met at noon, the Hon. A. M. .Myers informed Mr. Stathani that opportunity would be given for business people in the various centres to tender for the surplus military stores after all military requirements had been secured. Replying to Mr. 13rown the Hon. T.

M. Wilford said ho could noi- ask the Government, to print the evidence taken before the Waterside Commission, because it was very voluminous, nut lie would have a report printed and circulated. Replying to Mr Wright. Sir Joseph Ward said he would approach the cable company with a view to getting a reduction in the present charges oa cables to soldiers at the front. In answer to Mr Hornsby, the Premier said Cabinet was now considering a scheme for caring for orphan children whose parents had been sv.ept away by the influenza epidemic, but they had not yet arrived at a, final decision. He hoped the Finance Minister would make a statement on the subject in the course of a very few day?. Tlic 'Premier, in reply to a question, said he would be pleased to make further representations to the Home authorities regarding the danger of permitting the American Meat Trust- extending its operations to various parts of the Empire. Sir Joseph Ward .said he hail, in conjunction with the Premier, made representations on this subject, and he would be glad to renew his efforts in this direction. REPATRIATION PROPOSALS. The Bill moving for provision for the repatriation of soldiers was brought down by Governor's message and read a first time. The 'Premier said he hoped it would come on for consideration in the afternoon.

The House rose at I o'clock. The House met at 2.30. P. AND T. DEPARTMENT BILL. Sir Joseph AVard moved the second reading of the Post and Telegraph Department Bill. The Bill provides that all references in the Public Service Act to that Department and to the officers thereof shall cease to have any force or e/ieet. The following otfieers will he appointed by the GovernorGeneral: —The Secretary of the Department, who, under direction of the Minister, will have t!io control and general administration of the Department, and the first and second assist-ant-secretaries Persons now in these and other positions will continue to hold office, but all other officers ivill be appointed by the Public Service Commissioner without prejudice to the power of dismissal. Officers (except probationers) will be removable after three months' r.otiec. The GovernorGeneral, by Order-in-G'ouneil, may make regulations for the classification of the Department, determining salaries and allowances, prescribing duties, providing for organisation and discipline, providing for inquiries into charges of inefficiency or misconduct, aiul the general control and administration of the Department. Such rcgulationa must be laid before Parliament within 14 cays after publication in the Gazette or after the beginning of the next ensuing session.

A Promotion uoard is to be established, consisting of Die Secretary of the Department, tho Chief Telegraph Engineer, Chief Inspector, Superintendent of Staff, and one other officer to be elected by the officers of the Department, All appointment?! o? officers vnnde by the Public Service Commissioner will he first considered by the 'Promotion Board, which will recommend persons to fill vacancies. Preference will bo given to officers of the Department if the 'Public Service Commissioner is satisfied that the rcomiucndation iias been muly made by the board in accordunco with the provisions of the Act, and he will make appointment accordingly. In the event of disagreement between the Commissioner and the board, the matter will be determined by the Minister.

No officer cf tlie Department is to be appointed to any other department of the Government service c.veept with the consent of the secretary <.ad permanent head of such other department. An Appeal Board is to be established, to consist of two persons appointed by the Governor-General, one bv the postal branch, and one by the telegraph brancli of the Department. Every officer will have the right of appeal in matters of classification or salary In moving the second reading, Sir Joseph Ward said the men in the lower grades of the department had lower salaries than those iu other departments, except one. A feeling of injustice had been ranklir.g ig the breasts of these lower-paid men, who deserved j recognition of their faithful -and reliable service to the public. The provision of an Appeal Board .jmovod the Ministerial power of veto. Promotion by merit was one important principle of the measure. The Bill provided fixed salaries for positions, and facilitated advancement in salary. The new ncales would operate from April I next. There was an imperative necessity for the changes provided in lie Bill. He had been satisfied for a long time that the service could not go on as it had been going. He did not *vish to complain of the method of administration by the Public Service Commissioner, [,),t the fact remained that the service wa o discontented and the best results could not I|C obtained from di.'.allotted . meTl On the subject of general classification of the Public Service, he said there would be rc-flassificalir.n and regrading of the whole Public Service next April. , Discussion was proceeding wjicn the lIouW adjourned at 5.30. A mnnl'Ci' of members commended the general principles of tho Bill, but mad;) suggestions for amendment, bused on local experience. 1 Bir Joseph Ward, in reply, dealt with the points raised in tho debate, arid the House Went into Committee on the Bill. In Committee on the Post and Telegraph Bill, Sir Joseph Ward moved to Include the Chief Telegraph Engineer as a. member of the Promtion Board. Tbi-s was agreed to, and with this exception, the Bill as amended was read a, third time and passed.

WAR LEGISLATION EIU Mr Massoy moved that amendments m »«W hv tlio Legislative Council in the War I "fislation Amendment Bill be

Mr. McCombs pointed out that the Council liad bo amended sub-section o of clause 11 as to enable soldiers' wives and dependents to contract themselves out of the very provision designed to give them protection against excessive rents. He predicted that if this was allowed to stand no landlord would let his house to a soldier's wife or dependents until they had agreed not to take advantage of the protection afforded, and the position which arose in. connection with the Mortgages Extension Act would be repeated.The Premier had not acted fairly with the House when lie promised to accept the amendment moved by the member for Wangamii in Committee on tlie Bill. He moved that the amendment be not asreed to. Messrs Vciteh, Young, and Payne urged that no soldier's wife or dependents would iie able to rent a house unless tlie\ f contracted themselves out of the provisions of the Act, and an amendment which had that effect should not be agreed to. "Mr. Massev agreed to refer sub-clause 5b of clause 2 back to the Council for reconsideration. Mr McCombs accepted this and the other amendments were agreed to. Messrs 'Statfiam. McCombs, and Massey were appointed managers to confer with the Council.