PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8516, 22 August 1907, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

(By Telegraph- Parliamentary Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, August 21. The House met at 2 30 p.m., and after formal business dealt with questions. Mr Hornsby asked the Government whether they are aware that the Yonkerman Company is again advertising in the Wellington Press, and if they .vill take steps to have all correspondence addressed to the Yonkerman Company brought under the provisions of the Post Office Amendment Act of 1906?

Reply—The Yonkerman Company is already on the list of individuals and firms whose letters are prohibited from transmission through the Post Office. As the matter is one of public importance, I append a copy of a report from the New South Wales Government Analyst on Yonkerman's "Tuberculozyne," which has recently been received: "I am of opinion that 'Tuberculozyne' is a cruel fraud intended or calculated to extort money from persons suffering from phthisis, and is of no more value than water from Sydney Harbour would be if bottled and labelled in a similar manner. Sixpence would, in my opinion, be a liberal estimate of the value of the mixture." Mr Hanan asked the Minister of Public Health whether, in the interests of child-life preservation, he will (1) arrange for lectures to be given by the several Medical Health Officers in the colony on the proper management and feeding of infants, and (2) favourably consider the desirableness of appointing duly qualified nurses to visit and inpart information on the management and feeding of infants in the homes of the people? Reply.—-The whole question of in-fant-life protection is at present receiving the attention of the Government.

Mr E. G. Allen asked the Government whether they will this session amend the Counties Act, so as to give power to County Councils to levy a special sanitary rate on a portion of a densely populated county when the ratepayers of such portion petition the Council to impose such rate? Reply.—The matter will be considered in the event of legislation being introduced, which at present is not likely. Mr Arnold asked the Minister of Labour whether he will this session refer the question of giving preference to unionists to the Labour Bills Committee, with a view to having evidence taken both from the workers and employers before the House is asked to decide on the question? ♦Reply.—Facilities will be granted to both employers and employees to give evidence before the Labour Bills Committee on the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act Amendment.

Hon. Sir W. J. Steward asked the Minister of Labour when he proposed to introduce a Bill to remove the difficulty which has occurred in reference to the Saturday half-holiday under the Factories Act? (Note — Many shopkeepers have been greatly inconvenienced since the enforcement of the Saturday half-holiday provision, which was brought into operation nearly three months ago, and great complaint is made of the delay which has occuired in introducing remedial legislation.) Reply. —This matter has been considered, and provision will be made in the Factories Act Amendment Bill shortly to'be submitted to Parliament.

Mr Barber asked the Government, whether they will take some action to either prevent or curtail the action of the Timber Trust which exists in thi.« city, and which has raised and is periodically raising l the prices of timber over and above a reasonable profit, and penalising certain builders and manufacturers for purchasing 1 outside the association? (Note —lt is the custom of the association to either refuse to supply those who have purchased outside the association or to supply them only at an advance of from 5 to 10 per cent, above the ordinary selling price, thus preventing legitimate competition and placing builders and manufacturers practically at their mercy.) Reply.—How best to deal with Trusts, where they are proved to exist, is under consideration by the Government.

Mr Field asked the Premier, whether this House is to be given an opportunity this session of passing the Civil Service Superannuation Bill and, if so, when will the Bill be introduced? Reply.—Yes; I hope to introduce the Bill at an early date. The evening sitting was occupied with the consideration of the Apiaries Bill in Committee. With regard to the provision compelling the use of proper frame hives, the Hon. R. McNab explained that the use of these was essential for inspection purposes. An amendment by Mr W. Herries limiting the operation of the Bill to persons keeping bees for profit was negatived. Discussion on the clauses is still proceeding.