PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 September 1922, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

YESTERDAY'S SITTING. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. WASHINGTON TREATIES RATIFIED. By Telegraph.—Press .Association. Wellington Last Night. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Administration, of Justice Bill and the -Settled Land Amendment Bill were both read a second time pro forma and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The Swamp Drainage Amendment Bill was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Lands committee. The Council assented to the ratification of the Washington Treaties. The Animals Protection and Game Amendment Bill, which seeks to prohibit trap pigeon shooting, was read a third time after a division on an amendment by the Hon. Dr. W. E. Collins that the Bill should be read a third time six months hence. The amendment was rejected by 17 votes to 4. The Council rose at 4.25 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PREPARING ELECTORAL ROLLS. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. In the course of a statement on the subject of the preparation of the electoral rolls, concerning which there has been a good deal of criticism in the House of late, the Premier urged electors to do their best to co-operate with the Electoral Department in order to get clean and complete rolls. The main roll had now been issued, and was on view at all post offices, and it was for qualified electors who have doubts as to their, names being on the rolls to do their part and make immediate inquiry. In reply to Mr. J. V. Brown (Napier), Mr. Massey said he did not think it would be necessary to introduce any fresh legislation dealing with sedition this session, as he thought the present law was sufficient to deal with any situation likely to arise. He would, however, consult the Crown Law officers, and if the law did need strengthening he would ask them to draft the necessary amendment.

In reply to Mr. A. Harris (Waitemata), Mr. Massey said the date of the general election had not yet been fixed, and he did not think it could be fixed until after the close of the session. At the same time, he could say he did not think the election would be held this year as late as it was three years ago. Replying to Mr. W. H. Field (Otaki), the Hon. C. J. Parr said the Education Department was considering a scheme by which country children could get a larger share of scholarships, one of the suggestions made being that a certain number of scholarships should be set apart for country children who had not quite the same chance as children attending large city schools, with their larger staffs and efficient equipment.

Mr. Massey informed Mr. Brown that when the amusement tax was before the House he would consider the question of exempting swimming clubs from the operation of the Act. He well realised the value of swimming as an accomplishment. and he thought all school children should be taught to swim. In reply to Mr. V. H. Reed (Bay of Islands), the Hon. D. H. Guthrie said the purchase of kauri gum by the Government had not been stopped, but it had been curtailed. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. The remainder of the afternoon sitting was taken up with the consideration of reports and Ministers’ replies to questions. Amongst others Ministers gave the following answers to printed questions:— That the Government will not be considering any amendment of the law relating to venereal diseases until it has received the report of the committee of the Board of Health, which is at present inquiring into the subject. It is not yet certain that the committee’s report will be available in time to permit of fresh legislation being introduced this session, should the committee recommend any alteration of or addition to the present Social Hygiene Act. That the Government is strongly of opinion that the principle of the control of the public service by a Public Service Commissioner instead of by Ministerial control is the better of the two, “although I have to admit that the present Public Service Act requires amending in some important particulars. I hope to be able to have an amending Bill drafted and dealt with by the House next session.” That having regard to the cost of services and supplies, it is not practicable at present to make any reduction in the existing charges at railway refreshment rooms without incurring heavy loss, and this circumstances do hot warrant. That there is no present intention of running a limited express between Auckland and Wellington, and it is not practicable to establish such a. service while the public demand that trains should stop at numerous stations en route. That with a view to the combined and uniform care and treatment of T.B. cases throughout the Dominion, the Health Department is giving certain proposals attention with regard to incurables. Tt is deemed more kindly and humane to secure their care in suitable annexes at hospitals near their own homes. That with regard to further awards of the Maori War medal, it is regretted the New Zealand Government cannot agree to any alteration to the existing regulations, which were made on the recommendation of a special joint committee of both Houses, and were published in the New Zealand Gazette dated November 6, 1869. That the question of the repeal of the regulations governing the issue of permits to leave the Dominion is under consideration. Thia will not affect the issue of passports, which are necessary for entry into other countries.. TJiat the question of hospital levies is at present under consideration. It is not, however, intended to introduce legislation in this connection during the present session. MOTHERHOOD ENDOWMENT. When the House resumed in the evening. Mr. M. J. Savage (Auckland West) moved the second reading of the Moth-

erhood Endowment Bill, the principles of which were fully discussed on the mption to introduce the Bill. The mover confined himself to answering previous criticisms of the Bill and to explaining the state of similar legislation in other countries. He recognised that a private member could not get very far with such a Bill, because the question of finance was involved, and he suggested it would be a gracious act on the part of the Government to take the measure up and so make some provision for the needs of motherhood, which was a responsibility which should be shouldered by the State. The Bill was then read a second time on the voices. At this stage the Premier raised a point of order that the Bill was an appropriation Bill and could not be allowed to proceed further. The Speaker upheld the objection, and the Bill was not allowed to proceed. ANOTHER BILL “KILLED.” The Proportional Representation and Effective Voting Bill was introduced by Mr. W. A. Veitch (Wanganui), and when it had passed the second reading it was ruled out by the Speaker on the grounds that it was an appropriation Bill. A FENCING MATTER. The second reading of the Fencing Amendment Bill was moved by Mr. V. H. Reed (Bay of Islands). The Bill enabled a European owner who erects a boundary fence between his property and native property to collect a share of the eost from any European who may subsequently become the owner of the native land. The Bill provided material for argument amongst the legal members of the House, after which the Bill was read a second time and referred to the Native Affairs Committee. The House rose at 11 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. tu-mnrrow.