PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3005, 30 September 1908, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

(By Telegraph—Abridged from Press Association Report).

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

WELLINGTON, September 29. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 o'clock. The Statutes Revision Committee reported that there was not time to proceed with the Judiciary Bill this session. The Inspection of Machinery Bill was read a third time and passed. The Public Bodies Leases Bill was taken in Committee. Progress was reported, and the Council adjourned at 5 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House met at ii.3o o'clock. The Premier moved "that the House disagrees with the amendments made to the Second Ballot Bill by the Council, and appoint a Committee, consisting of Sir W. J. Steward, Mr Lothbridge and the mover, to draw up reasons for so disagreeing." Mr Massay had hoped that the Bill would be dropped, but apparently that was not to be the case. Members now realised better than ever that the electors were entirely opposed to the measure. He moved that the debate be adjourned for twelve months. He was glad the Press throughout the length and breadth of the country had protested against the gag' clause. Sir J. G. Ward said that if Mr Massey's motion was agreed to the House would be stultifying itself. As for the gag clause the grossest misrepresentation had appeared in the Press. The clause was intended to help the poor man. He was r.ot afraid of the Press nor daunted by concerted action on its part. Mr T. M. Wilford was stronjly opposed to the Bill, and utterly so to the gag clause. jjj Mr W. Fraser strongly protested against the Bill, which he said did not meet the approval of the country districts Mr A. W. Hogg supported the principle of the Bill. On the House resuming in the evening, the motion was, after considerate discussion, agreed to on the voices.

COUNTRY INDIGENCE.

ALLEGED EXTRAVAGANT RELIEF. J

Yesterday the Wellington and Wairarapa Charitable Aid Board re- | fused to accept and pass a statement of accounts for the distribution of charitable relief by the Mauriceville County Council. The accounts amounted to £lO2 for relief and five cases tor eight months. The accounts included such items as interest on mortgage of a house; tea at 2s per lb; currants at 6d per lb; flour at 17s 6d and 14s §d per 100 from the same store and supplied on the same date; pills, Is 6d: also curry powder, cocoa, starch, alum, epsom salts, bops, pepper, black lead, carraway i seeds, and a pair of trousers. Two cases concerned had averaged for eight months, 1001b of flour, lcwt of potatoes, 561b of sugar, 251b of oatmeal per month. It was pointed out that the potatoes had been supplied at the rate of £ls per ton. The estimated amount of provisions for a similar case, as supplied to the board was 161b of flour, 151b of sugar, 81b of oatmeal, 201b of potatoes for one month's supply. In these cases referred to by the County Council named, Miss Kirk, who made a special investigation into the circumstances attending the granting of relief, recommended six months ago that no further aid should be granted. But notwithstanding this recommendation, which was adopted by the board, the Mauriceville County Council, said the secretary, continued to dispense relief. The Chairman suggested writing to the Mauriceville County Council pointing out that considering the lavish way in which reliefs was being distributed, the account would not be passed until the Council furnished some explanation. He thought other things, than those shown in the vouchers, were being obtained as rations, such items as flour covering them. The Secretary said an account for £124 from the same district was held 1 over for explanation in January last; but it was passed, he believed, on the motion of Mr R. Smith. The Chairman emphasised the need of the closest scrutiny being held in the interest o£ both the county and the board. The item of tea at 2s per pound, for example, required explanation for excellent tea at lid per pound was used at the hospital. Tiie secretary stated that there were cases in which relief should cease at once. The Chairman agreed, that in all cases vvhti're Miss Kirk's recommendations had not been given effect to, the accounts should be held over for further explanation from the distributing body. It was pointed out by the Eecretary that in the Pahiatua County a person still receiving relief to the extent of 30s a month, owned 16J acres and was milking six cows. Another case was that of a person in Government service, who was receiving 15s a week in charitable aid. It was one into which Miss Kirk suggested further enquiry should be made.—"Post."