PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9676, 15 December 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, December 14. In the Legislative Council in the afternoon, the Death Huties Bill and Naval Defence Bill were put through the final stages. The Attorney-General moved the second reading of the Industrial Schools Amendment Bill, which was agreed to. HOUSE OF KEPKESENTATIVES. In the House in the afternoon Mr J. T. Hogan (Wanganui), chairman of the Railways Committee, reportin? on 74 petitions praying that official recognition be granted to engine drivers and firemen, said that the committee had no recommendation to make. Mr T. E. Taylor (Christchurch North) said the engine drivers and firemen had not received the attention from the existing society which they were entitled to, and consequently they were asking for a separate organisation. At the time they requested the.Minister to grant permission to form a new society, Mr Millar had sa'd that when the membership attained one thousand he would concede the demand. At the present time the Engine Drivers Society had a membership of 1,100 out of a total of 1,400 engaged in that branch of the service. Mr A. S. Malcolm (Clutha) moved that the report be referred back to the committee for further consideration. He held that recognition of the new society would make for harmony in the service.

After further discussion the Hon.' J. Millar asked Mr Malcolm to withdraw his amendment on the understanding that the committee's report was not final. This course was adopted, and the report agreed to. The House rose at 5.30 o'clock. In the House in the evenine, th« Defence Bill was committed. On Clause 4. replying to Mr Allen, trie Premier said that the regulation regarding pay and clothing was not included in the Act. He could give na further information than that it was proposed to give Territorials 3s per day and rations, while in camp, and that no uniforms would be provided for cadets. Mr W. F. Massey moved to add sub-clause to clause 4, giving power to the Government tofmake regulations, and that such regulations shall be laid before Parliament within fourteen days after being gazetted if Parliament is then sitting, and if not then, within fourteen days of its meeting thereof. Mr Allen supported the amendment but thought all the regulations should be submitted to a committee of the House. Mr T. E Taylor ntro gly protested against the creation of military .over civil authority, and supped, the amendment on the ground mat' Parliament should have the right to amend the regulations before they were gazetted. '*' y Srr J. G. Ward said that the Bill ,w#_s basedwn the lines of the present Defence/Act, and no trouble had arisen in regard to the regulations and there had never been any reason for putting these before the House.