HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1919, Page 5

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30: NEW BILLS. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time: Victory Park Bill (Dr. Tliacker), Police Offenees Amendment Bill (Mr. Massey). RETURNS. The House ordered, amongst others, the following returns to be laid da the table: A return showing (!) Gross cost to the Consolidated Fund of a Parliamentary election between .two candidates in (a) an urban electorate, and (b) a rural electorate, as defined by the present electoral law; and (2) the extra cost (if any) incurred in these two classes of electorates by a third, fourth, and fifth candidate respectively. A return showing (1) the amount of red pine, white pine, and kauri exported from New Zealand for the period of two years ending March 31, 191!). A return showing (1) the amount of money paid hy the Government to the Union Steamship Company for the hire of their ships during the war; (2) the amount of money expended by the Government in fitting up and repairing such ships, the names of all officers of ships serving on New Zealand registered steamers who are either purebred Germans or of German origin. Sir James Allen laid on the table & return showing (he progress of vocational training of soldiers in the various institutions. The total number of soldiers being trained was 1457. SUPERANNUATION*AND PENSIONS. Arising nut of the report by the Railway Committee or the petition asking that increased superannuation be paid to superannuated railway servants in view of the increased cost of living, a discussion arose in which member? generally expressed the opinion that the Pensions Act should be enlarged to enable ninny of these people to participate in the old age pensions. Mr. Massey said he had every sympathy, with a good deal that had been said, because he realised how difficult it must be for some of the supers annua ted public sevvanta to get along on the superannuation. At the same time he desired to point out Ihe difficulties of the position. It could not be supposed they rould strengthen one superannuation fund, or help one set of public servants, and not another, yet to treat all alike would be n costly matter, which he estimated at not, less' than £200.000 per annum. Possibly the funds might be invested in some different way with advantage. He thoroughly approved of periodical actuarial reports on the fund, and in like' manner, he approved of something being done to improve the position of a widow whose husband died shortly after his retirement from the public service. It would of course, cost a considerable sum of money, but it should be done, and the whole matter had to be'considered in the light of the financial position of the country, but, in view of the expressions of opinion' ?'ven during the discussion, it would be liis duty to bring it before Cabinet for consideration. LIGHTENING THE GOVERNOR'S LABORS. The second reading of the Official Appointments and Documents Bill was moved by Sir Jas. Allen, who explained that the Bill was intended to relieve the Govprnor-General of a great deal of formal work in collection with public appointments. The Bill was read a second' time and passed the committee stages unamended. PROTECTION OF CHATTELS. Hon. J. B. Hine moved the second reading of the Chattels Transfer Act Amendment Bill as passed by the Legislative Council. He explained that "he Bill proposed to amend the third schedule of the principal Act by omitting paragraph 4, section 2. It also amended the Act by exempting certain documents . ■rom the definition of "instrument" in the purposes of the principal Act. Sir J. Ward asked the Premier not to force thi» Bill through at one sitting as he proposed, because, as he had some doubt Whether the Bill did not take away the opportunity of an individual to ascertain the financial position of some other person indebted to a bank or company, and who may be asking credit from others. He also asked what the position was of a mortgagee under the Mortgage Extensions Act, as he heard of a case of a person who was being asked to pay up. the mortgage or renew it at an increased rate ,of interest. Mr. Massey promised not to ask the House to pass the Bill through all its htages. The position of mortgagees had been secured by the Legislative Council. The Bill was read a sr?ond time and referred to the Statute Revisions Committee, ; PARTY WALLS. The Hon. J, B. Hine moved the secon.i 1 rending of the Public Authorities (Parh Wall) Empowering BiU as passed by tinLegislative Council. The Bill enabled public authorities to enter into an agreement in regard to party walls which they do not now posswff. Sir Joseph Ward thought the retrospective powers granted in clause 5 oi the Bill were most dangerous. He asked who had called for this Bill, and if it was introduced for some special case. The Bill ought not to be pushed through, because time wa9 needed to examine this clause. ' Myw/ thttt

doubt as to the meaning of the BQI tf • ought to go to the Statute Committee, and he would agree to thai course. The Bill was read a second . time and referred to the Statute! vision Committee. , , WOMEN'S RIGHTS. i "i Mr. Massey moved the second readinj of the Women's Parliamentary Righto' Bill. He said the Bil! had only oni" - operative clause rcm6ving the disability '< against women becoming candidates fot . Parliament, and being elected, (if Uh' ' electors so desired. He had always beet in favor of granting this privilege s< soon as the women asked for it, and fat thought the entrance of a namber of good women into Parliament would havi [ a steadying effect. ■ Sir Joseph Ward said the war h*o altered the whole aspect of the pqsitiof: so far as women were concerned ■ throughout the worW, and mort par-" ticularly in the Old Country. The dwi ■ bate was interrupted by the diniter •&.' journment at 5.30. EVENING SITTING. ' Wellington, Last Night , The House Tesumed at -7.30. Sir Joseph Ward, continuing, said than were many women in New Zealand who' could represent their fellow being* la, Parliament as well as men. Wonjin whowere ablo faithfully to carry out the sacred duty of bringing up a family mat well qualified to take up more carious responsibilities. This Bill was a f 1 * 1 ' complement of the existing law, and It was the duty of the Government, not ol private members, to put it on the Statute Book. Mr. Statham said he was ]®eviously opposed to any legislation to admit women to Parliament, but lie now repented that view, and was prepared to support this Bill. Seeing tbat women had a vote in this country equpOy VfiU) men, there was no logical reason why they should not be admitted to Parliament.

Mr. Holland said this was one of till rare occasions on which the Labor Part; found itself in accord with a Government measure. A woman who contributed social service to her country waa doinj) her duty equally with a man, and wai equally entitled to a voice in the govern' ment and in the making of wars. Mr. Witty said: "I heartily support the Bill. That is all I need say." Mr. Parr said the House was bound to complete the logical consequence ol the existing legislation. He felt sure tficro would be wider sympathy shown in the spirit of our legislation as a mill of the influence of women in the Houn Mr. McCombs congratulated the Premier on carrying out his promise previously given to bring in a Bill giving women the right to sit in Parliament In many other countries this privilege waa freely enjoyed, and the experiment. should be a great success. Mr. Wright said if women were admitted to Parliament, as he hoped, they would handle social questions in a'waj men never had been able or cared to do He suggested there should -be four additional seats created—two in the North and two in the South Island—for which women only would be eligible. That would at onoe ensure the entry of at least four women into the House. Be also suggested that the Government should nominate one or two women, to the Legislative Council. Mr. Isitt said he was satisfied thai the most gifted and intelligent woman tithe community would be elected to Parliament, and that their influence would be greatly for good.

Dr. Newman said that most members seemed to suppose this Bill was going to become law, but he had his doubts. There was another chamber which had to pass this Bill, and his experience was that that Chamber generally poltaxed Bills granting privileges to woman. The only sound reason he ever heard against women voting for men memberi of Parliament was that they chose nub funny men for husbands.

Sir John Findlay said he did not expect women to find their way into Parliament for a number of yean, but when they were admitted our progress would be more rational and more bent* ficient than it had been under the BX* elusive regime of man. After Messrs P. Fraser, 'Wilford, Brown, Poole, and Semple had spoken in favor of the Bill, the second reading was agreed to on the voices. Mr. Massey asked the House to put it through all stages. This wat dost in a few minutes, and the Bill pasted. PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE BTTT. The Hon. Coates moved the Public Trust Office Bill, making provision for the appointment of local deputies of the Public Trustee. This was read a second time. THE POLICE FORCE BILL The second reading of the Police Force Amendment Bilf was moved by Mr. Massey. * Mr. Veitch said the Government should see the power given by the Bill to appoint - temporary members of the force was not abused. He favored putting a limit to the number of metf appointed. Mr. Wilford said the idea of the Bill was to allow the Government to bring the force up to full strength by the temporary appointment of men over the age of admission at time of shortage. This was essential. Mr. Luke supported the Bill, which hi" thought essential for the good of tlit coifntrv uts a whole. | Mr. P. Fraser said it was possible a better way of increasing the strength •Of the force would be by increasing the conditions. Mr. Poole thought the Bill wonld have the support of members of the force itself. EDUCATION BILL. • Sir James Allen moved the second reading of the Education Amendment Hill pro forma, in order that it be referrcd to the Education Committee. This was agreed to. MANAWATU GORGE , , sir W" 1 -Fraser moved the second readrag of the ManawMti dorse Boarl a)i( | Kndge Bill, which provided for the appointment of a board to carry out the decision of tjhe commission which determined the liability of the various local bodies in connection with the Corn road. * Mr. E. Newman said'he had received a protest from the Rangitikei County Council against that county being ineluded as a contributing body. When committee lie must move to have Oat I'idy omitted. The Bill was read a second time. PUBLIC TRUST. The TTou«e went into committee on the Public Trust Office Amendment Bill, which was agreed to without amend* ment, was read a third time, and patted. The House rose at '11.25 .till 7.30 p.m. on Monday. ■ , .