PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9668, 16 December 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, December 15. In the Legislative Council this afternoon fifteen local Bills were committed and discussion on them was proceeding when the Council rose. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. In the House this afternoon, M inisters replying to questions stated that owing to the changes effected and contemplated in various departments it has not been possible to complete the classification of the service. As soon as the final departmental arrangements are made the matter will be further considered; that Mr Justice Edwards' remarks in connection with recent cases of usury in Auckland had not been specially brought before the Prime Minister, but the matter will receive consideration during the recess; tnat it is inadvisable to restore the. rights of holders of small grazing l runs to exchange their leases, for leases-in-perpetuity which was given under the Land Act, 1895, and taken a way by the Land Act, 1907, as the results of such exchanges were not satisafctory; that a board will be appointed to make inquiries in both Islands as to suitable localities for training camps, and the representations that they[be not less than five miles from a licensed house will be fully considered; that an amendment ofjthejj Old Age Pensions Act exempting cottages of pensioners from the limit of property allowed to be held will be given effect to this session.

The Premier gave notice that he would introduce the King CountryLicenses Bill, which he intended should be passed this session. The remainder of the afternoon was occupied in discussion on answers to questions. The House rose at 5.30 o'clock. In the House in the evening the Premier announced that he would make a statement regarding the work to be done during, the remainder of' the,,-session to-morrow, fare-

.noon.- , - ... . r ;■ On the motion to commit tbe Coal Mines Amendment Bill the Hon. R. McKenzie briefly indicated the objcets of the Bill. Referring to clause 3, which provides that medical examination of miners shall not be required, he said that if this w&s not agreed to half the men working in the mines would be thrown out of employment. The clause had nothing to do with miners' disease pnemoconiosis, a referred to in the Workers' Compensation Act of last session. The following new clause was moved by Mr J. Colvin (Buller) "In any action brought by a workman against the owner of a mine for injuries sustained tbe amount to which the workman may be entitled! under section 80 of the principal 'act from a sick and accident fund or coal miners' relief fund shall notwithstanding in section 55 of the Workers' Compensation Act of 1908, not be taken into consideration in assessing damages; sub-section 8 of section 80 of the principal Act is hereby repealed. This was agreed to. Mr A. L. Herdman (Wellington North) moved an amendment providing for the placing of tbe Mines Department on the same footing as a private firm in regard to accidents occurring in carrying on its various branches. ! The chairman ruled that the amendment was an appropriation clause* as it increaeed the liability of 1 the! Crown, and was out of order. ' j Tfte Bill was reported read a-tbir4 time and passed. " : ' I