PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 November 1919, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL By Telegraph.—Press Assooiation. Wellington, Nov. 1. The Legislative Council met at 11 a.m. and immediately adjourned to 2.30 p.iu On resuming the Council approved the amendments brought by Gov-ernor-General's message in the Housing and the Post and Telegraph Amendment Bills. Ti;e Institute of Architects Amendment Bill was read a third time. The Electric Power Boards Amendment Bill, providing boards to hold office for three years, was introduced and passed all stages. Other Bills passed with minor or no amendments were the Land Laws Amendment Bill, Government Railways Amendment Bill, and the following Local Bills:—Victory Park, Wellington City Milk Supply, Whangarei Harbor Board Vesting and Empowering, Palmerston North Abbattoir, and Gishorne Harbor Board (Bills. The Council adjourned at 4.20 p.m. till 1.30 p.m. on Monday. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. The House of Representatives met at 7.30 p.m. FRUIT FROM THE ISLANDS. Mr. Luke, asked without notice, if the Mine Minister would take action to assist traders in the matter of small fruit shipments from the Eastern Pacific islands, owing to the shipping companies' decision to increase freights. . The Premier said he would refer the matter to the Board of Trade. DELAYS IN MAIL. In reply to Mr. Wilkinson, the Post-master-General said the British Post Office had been communicated with regarding the difficulties at present arising out of the irregular arrival of bills of lading through dislocation of the mail services. It was hoped satisfactory arrangements would be made regarding such correspondence from America, which could be posted on ships. The Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Empowering Bill, introduced by Governor's message, was read a first time and referred to the Lands Committee. NEW BILLS. The Electric Power Bill, empowering local bodies to levy rates, this power having been omitted in the original Bill, was read a first time. The Prime Minister gave notice to introduce the Industrial. Conciliation and Arbitration Bill at next sitting day. The House disagreed with an amend ment made by the Legislative Council in the Shearers' Accommodation Bill, striking out.the provision enabling an employer to deduct from wages the expense of rtpairing damage caused by men to accommodation. THE JELLICOE REPORT. Sir Joseph Ward asked what was proposed to be done in the matter of Admiral Jcllicoe's report. The Premier replied that he did not see any „f discussing it this session. THE MINING BILL. .The House agreed with the Council's amendment to the Mining Amendment Bill safeguarding the power given to the Minister to permit the employment of other than fully qualified miners at a mine face, by making such permission contingent on the finding of n Royal Commission of Judges appointed ,by the Governor-General. Mr Semple protested asainst the being given to the Minister at all. Mr. Seddon thought the Council's amendment was of no use. Mr. Holland opposed the proposal. The present asrreements current in the mines contained fullv provision for the introduction of unskilled men into the workinss till thev became ctualified to take charge at the face. This clause was simply designed as a weapon for use in case of industrial trouble. Mr. Isitt welcomed the clause as one which should exercise a good influence against the possibility of an industrial upheaval. The Minister for Mines replied, and the House accepted the amendment. NATIVE AFFAIRS. In moving the second reading of the Native Land Amendment and Native Land Claims Adjustment Bill, the Hon. W. H. Herries said the measure contained nothing that could be questioned, Sir Joseph Ward complained that members should have been acquainted with details of the Bill. Some clauses were very important. The Minister agreed to explain the measure .and did so at some length. . The Bill passed the committee stage with the addition of a iisw clause moved by the Hon. A. T. Ngata, giving Maori Councils power to co-operate in the preservation of public health in Maori districts. UNDESIRABLE IMMIGRATION. The House then went into committee on the Undesirable Immigrants Exclusion Bill. On clause 3, requiring declarations from persons arriving in New Zealand, Mr. Holland called for a division, the clause being carried by 39 votes to 2. On clause 5, giving the AttorneyGeneral power to prohibit the landing in New Zealand of undesirable persons, Mr. Holland again called for a division, alleging the clause was a most dangerous precedent in legislation. The clause was carried by 45 votes to 2. The Bill was reported, read a third time and passed. SECOND READINGS. The Industrial and Provident Gopieties Amendment Bill was read a second time on the motion of the Hon. W. H. Herries. The Bill enables a company registered under the Companies' Act to transform itself into a society under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act. Mr. Massev moved the second rending of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Bill, giving power to decentralise control of hosnitals at present administered by the Bay of Islands Hospital Board, so that counties may control hospitals within their boundaries. Objection was raised by Mr Wilford and Mr Young to a Local Bill being brought forward in this manner under the aegis of the Government. Mr. Ell condemned a system under which an important department was administered by a Minister in another place. Tie Biß jrju ftftA a vmi Um*'

The Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Amendment Bill' was read a second time on the motion of the Hon. J. G. Coates, who explained it aimed at simplifying the procedure in directions found desirable as the result of experience of soldiers' marriages. BILLS PASSED. The House went into committee. , The Industrial and Provident Societies Amendment Bill was put through all stages and passed. The Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Bill was put through all stages and passed. On the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Amendment Bill a new clau'se was added at the instance of Mr Wilford making the period of desertion entitling a person to sue for divorce three instead of five years. ' The Bill was then passed.

The Bouse adjourned at 11.25 p.m. til] 11.30 a.m. on Monday.