PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 November 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

VESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Teleeraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Nov. 9. The Legislative Council met at 10.30 a.m. The Washing-up Bill was put through the final stages and passed. _The Council did not agree with the King's Counsel amendments made by the House in the Law Practitioners' Amendment Bill. The new clauses proposed for the Land Laws Amendment Bill were adopted. The amendments made by the House in the Legislature Amendment Bill were considered by the Council. Sir Francis Bell moved that the Council concur, except with the proposal to strike out the new definition of "contractor."

The Hon. 0. Samuel and the Hon. W. Earnshaw opposed the civil rights clause. The Hon. J. Barr agreed that public servants should be allowed to stand for Parliament, but only as representatives of the service. The Hon. J. Gow urged a postponement for fuller consideration. Sir Wm. Hall-Jones said the proposal would mean civil servants using their positions for gaining election. The Hon. T. Mac Gibbon urged delay. The Hon. G. J. Garland opposed the clause. A vote was taken, and the Council disagreed with the new clause with regard to civil rights and with the proposal to strike out the "contractor" definition. The Council adopted the new margin clause. The Commissions of Inquiry Amendment Bill was introduced by Sir Francis Bel!. It gives genera! authority to issue a commission of inquiry into the judgment or proceeding of a court-martial. The Bill was put through all stages and passed. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WOULD BANK. CLERKS STRIKE? The House of Representatives met at noon. Mr. .J, McCombs (Lyttelton) asked a question relative to bank clerks of the Dominion. He said he was informed that bank employees hud been endeavoring to set the directors to meet tlicm, and now lie was informed that a conference was taking place in Wellington between representatives of the banks, the Government, and officers of the baok, and the officers' guild, and that eminent counsel were appearing lor the parties. Mr. McCombs asked what was the position, antf if there had been a threat of a strike. The Premier replied that he had heard nothing of the matter, but he would inquire into it. TEACHERS' BON-US. Replying to Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition), Mr. Massey said he hoped there would be no delay in the payment of the bonus to women teachers next year. BUSH TRAMWAYS. The Tramways Amendment Bill (the Hon. J. G. Coates), conferring on the Government the right of inspection of bush tramways, was read a firit time. The Minister explained that in a number of districts where the mills had been worked out of timber of the size formerly cut the mills were now starting to cut smaller timber, and in many cases the old tramways were found defective, and that power of inspection was required in the interests of the employees,