PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1919, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

« LEGISLATIVE COUNCILTHE DIVORCE LAW. By Telegraph.—Press Association, Wellington, Last Night. The Council resumed at 2.30. A message from the House of Representatives stated that the Divorce awl Matrimonial Causes Amendment Bill had been amended to allow a suit for divorce to lie based on desertion for a period of three instead of five years Sir Francis Bell thought the amendment was a good one, but it was desirable it should be put in another form. The Council therefore decided to disagree with the amendment to enable the matter to be dealt with. UNDESIRABLE IMMIGRANTS - Sir Franeis Bell moved the second reading of the Undesirable Immigrants Exclusion Bill. The Hob. J. T. Paul, while agreeing that undesirables should be excluded, feared that different Attorney-Generals would have different ideas aa to who was undesirable. In committee, Mr. Paul moved an amendment to limit the period of the Bill's operation to January, 1, 1921. This wag loßt on the voices, and the Bill was read a third time and passed. NATIVE AFFAIRS. The Native Washing Up Bill, with the' addition of a clause containing provisions relating to the cession by Native owners of certain lands near Lake Rotoiti to be held by the Crown in trust for scenic purposes, was committed, (Progress was reported to enable the Leader of the Council to peruse the Bill with amendments. The Council adjourned at 4.40, until 8 p.m. The Council resumed at 8 p.m. and put the Native Washing Up Bill through its final stages and passed it. The Prisons Amendment Bill was put through all stages and passed. Formal amendment to the Ilauraki Plains, Thames, and Ohinemuri County Bill, brought down by Governoi'General's message, were agreed to, as were amendments also brought down by Governor-General's message to the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Amendment Bill, and to the Railways Authorisation Bill.

The Police Force Amendment Bill was put through all stages and passed. The Speaker left the chair at 8.45 p.m. until 10 p.m. When the Council resumed Sir Francis Bell announced that the managers of both Houses; had come to an agreement in regard to the Shearers' Accommodation Bill, The agreement provides for the measure to come into force on June 30, 1020, and for the payment of damages done by shearers to accommodation to be dependent upon the order of a Magistrate. Tho Hon. J. Gow on belialf of the Hon. W. J. Geddis moved that the Council should not insist further upon its amendment to the Hawke's Bay Rivers Bill. This was agreed to. The Council adjourned at 10.5 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. to-morrow. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House of Representatives resumed at 2.30. GRADING OF TEACHERS. The chairman of the Education Committee reported regarding the grading of Auckland teachers. The report showed that the Dominion grading system was unsatisfactory, as Auckland teachers were placed in a higher grade than those of equal merit in other districts, and a uniform system of grading should be established for the whole Dominion. Mr. Isitt moved that the report be referred hack to the committee for reconsideration. He quoted figures covering a number of teachers and the grading thereof in Auckland, as compared with the rest of the Dominion- These, he declared, showed Auckland teachers were not justified in asking, for higher grading than they had received. Mr. Young said the Auckland grading system was superior to that in force in other districts, and Auckland teachers were entitled to grading on the marks given under that system. I Mr. Payne supported the claims or the Auckland teachers to be awarded grading on the marks obtained under | the Auckland system. He suggested tho Dominion inspectors should confer and formulate a scheme of awarding marks for grading. The, Hon. J. A. Han,in said he could not understand how the committee could | have arrived at the finding it did in face of the statements of the position placed before it by the contending parties. The Dominion grading system had been generally well received, but there would always be some who thought they had been unfairly treated. Mr. Anderson supported the Auckland teachers' claim to the recognition of a restoration of grading marks as ordered by the Supreme Court. The discussion was interrupted by the House proceeding with the orders of the dav. THE POLICE FORCEAn amendment of the Police Force Act (providing that a police officer's absence on active service, if he resumes duty within six months of the termination of such service, it shall not count against his period of police service), was brought down by Governor-General's message. The measure was designed to meet the case of men who had resigned to go to the front. They now could rejoin the police force without suffering loss in the matter of privileges and superannuation. Members expressed the hope that similar action would be taken in the interests of other public servants. SOLDIERS AND LAND. Amendments to the 'Discharged Soldiers' Act., enabling certain lands to be purchased for soldier settlement, were introduced by Governor-General's message. An amendment to the Hauraki Plains Act, constituting tho Hauraki County, was introduced by Governor-General's message, and was put through all str.ges and passed. Mr. Massey was given leave to introduce the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Court Bill to fix shorter hours for shops and shop assistants. Tho Bill was read a first time, ADMINISTRATION OF SAMOASir James Allen made a statement on the draft Ordw-jti.Council which he was

circulating dealing with the provisions for the government of Samoa. The idea was that the Samoan public service should bo part and parcel of the New Zealand public service. It was intended to make it possible for membe» of the public service here to proceed to Samoa, and thus obtain valuable administrative experience. They would go for a term of three years. It was proposed to establish a Legislative Council which would be mainly of an advisory character for a time. The Council would be composed of nominated members, it being impracticable to provide for elections at present. There would also be unofficial members, who must be British born or, Samoam All the rights and privileges of the natives I would be reserved to them.

Sir Joseph Ward askci] if members would have an opportunity to discuss the matter.

The Minister replied he was afraid not.-at the present, stage of the session. He could assure the House the Government was doing all it could to deal with iho Samoans, who would have two channels of reprosntation on the Legislative Council—through the medium ol chiefs, and through a possible direct appointment to the Council. A Treasury would bo established on the lineß of the New Zealand Treasury. The currency in the Island had already been changed from German to British.

A Public Health Department would be established, a chief medical officer being appointed. A Prisons and Police Department was provided for. ana tt was hoped the garrison would be removed at an early date, the maintenance of order being placed in the hands of the civil police. The education system was based on that in operation in New Zealand. Some schools had already opened, and more would be established. The New Zealand Customs Act of 1913 would be applied to Samoa and law administration would be put on'a, parity with that in force in the Cook Island."

The land law%*had not been dealt "with, but it was intended to see that Native lands would not he alienable to any but rhe Crown. The Imperial, authorities had expressed a desire that intoxicating liquor should not be supplied to the Natives. The Minister pointed out that in American Snmoft no liquor was allowed at all to anyone, and it was proposed to make the same law provision in the rase of Western Samoa. A branch of the Public Trust Office would be established. : Replying to Mr. Holland, he an id industrial matters had not been dealt with at present. The House wotirdhavc an opportunity next session to consider those. Replying to Sir Joseph Ward, "the Minister said the Legislative Council would have power to make ordinances subject -to ratification hy the New Zealand Government. BILLS PASSED. _ The following Bills were read a second time: The New Zealand Institute of Architects' Bill, .the Electee Power Boards Bill, and the Prisons: Amendment Bill. " v The House adjourned till 7.30 p ni. THE EVENING SESSION. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr. Maesey moved the third reading of the Police Force Amendment Bill. Mr. Senjple protested against the section which provided for the creation of temporary police. He had learned that a section of the permanent force objected to the proposal. The Bill was read a third time ana passed. The discussion was resumed on the report of the Education Committee, Messrs 'Poland, Harris, and Poole opposing Me. Isitt's amendment to refer the report back to the committee. Mr. Malcolm, chairman of the Education Committee, in reply to criticisms ■said teachers appeals against the 1018 grading were upheld by the appeal hoard. Therefore they stood, but. the appeal board rejected the appeals against the 1010 grading, and now wanted to have that decision wiped out by Parliament. If teachers were willing to have a decision in their favor stand they should be willing to a'bide by a decision that went against them. The amendment was lost by 34 votes to 20, and the report was tabledTHE FINANCE BILT,. In the House, the Minister of Finance moved the second reading of the Finance Bill. Section'2 increases the amount that may be borrowed for investment in reserve fund securities from £BOO,OOO to two millioifs. Section 3 removes the prohibtion on the export of uncoinedgold. Section 10 provides for increases in pensions to widows with children. The war pension provision is extended to wives of soldiers irrespective of whether •they married in New Zealand or oversea. ,

A new section extends the principle of the War Pension* Act to include men who served in the South African War :ind their dependents. Pensions in respect of death or disablement will lie made payable also in case of police officers and dependents. The Bill also defines the powers of repatriation "hoards as to financial assistance given to assist in restoring soldiers to civil life. The next election of elective members of licensing committees shall he hold on the second Tuesday in March. 1(120. The Bill empowers the payment of bonus or gratuity to New Zealaiiders whi) served abroad in the war with the naval forces or other portion of His Majesty's forces. Sir Joseph Ward commended the proposal to extend borrowing for investment in reserve fund securities and the export of gold- He hoped something would be done to improve the rates 01 exchange, which at present were strangling trade. The existing High rates were acting prejudicially to the interests of exporting producers. Sir Joseph Ward asked why it was proposed to increase borrowing for public works purposes by £250,000. making a total of £750,000. Sir Joseph Ward objected to the proposed amendment of the Finance Act,- 1015, to modify the surtax chargeable on enemy good imported into New Zealand by making the impost "not exceeding 50 per cent.," instead of ft definite amount of 50 per cent. They should encourage trade with the Mother Country and friendly nations. Sir Joseph Ward regretted that widows' pensions were not more liberalised, and he would like to see the allowance for each child made His weekly. Mr. Massey said these pensions involved an increase of £IOO,OOO in the annual cost. ■

Mr. Ell hoped the Government would soo that necessitous widows would not be penalised by having the Charitable Aid Board allowances reduced because thev received increased pensions. The Hon. J. A. Hanan supported a Jurther increase in widows' pensions. The Hon. W. IT. Herrics said widows' and children's pensions allowances now cost £11(1,000 a year. Tho new proposals would cost £200.000. To briiip nil the widows up to the standard of tl\e epidemic widows would Involve «

' i ■ ■ "? w«f *. JK total annual payment of £280,000. IhL 'Jj present Bill made an honest effort tfIHS l>elp widows. , , " 'M Mr. P. Frascr thought. »H.wi3<(|r*a should lie treated on the same the epidemic widows. , jg| The debate was continued by Anderson, Poland, MeCombs, GloWl^ t '| Wilford, Semplc, and Holland. "J Shortly alter midnight, Sir Ja®et«| Allen rose to reply, deprecating the «*•'i : J cossive demands made upon the Qov«fn«M| nient for financial aid for all sorts oflfl people and objects. The only way .jtakjj whjcli the country could meet its enpr-SM mous obligations was by increased fiuction. He asked Labor members 'ifcpj they were sincero to go out and advlMfej the men to let up on the "go-sloir f, || policy, which was the very thing whkk|| would deprive hte Government of t|»o means by which they could pensions as demanded. '|| The Bill was rernl a second time ,ftß(&kf the House went into committee. . - |j The Bill passed the committee with the exception that clause If-WtWfJj struck out on the moiton of Sif Ward- The clause provided wi-Ji Ministers' private secretaries, war bonuses for superannuation. "3 (Left Sititng.) . tl