PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9677, 29 December 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THE Baß'iON CASE. SYMPATHETIC MINISTERS. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, December 28. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr Davey, Chairman of the Public Petitions Committee, reported on thu petition of Barton, an ex-motorman of the Wellington City Council, who received lifelong injuries as the result of a collision of a car driven by him with a waggon driven by the State Coal Depot's employeas. This case has been frequently referred to in the House in reference to the Crown Suits Act, and its suggested amendment, so as to allow individuals to bring actions against the State depots. Mr Davey read the whole of the evidence of Barton and the representatives of the South British Insurance Company, from which it appeared that Barton had been advised by his solicitor in Christchurch j not to bring an action under the Workers' Compensation Act, but under the common law. Subsequently the South British Insurance Company gave Barton £iso as an ex gratia payment on his signing a document agreeing to refund the money in the event of succeeding in his claim against the Government. The committee, after reviewing the evidence, had come to the conclusion that Barton had received lifelong injuries, and that the Crown should award him £350 compensation, but that the sum of £l5O received by Barton from the South British Company should not be paid back out of this amount. After a long discussion the Hon. R. McKenzie, Minister for Public Works, said any future attempts to rep°al or amend the Crown Suits Act would have little chance of success in the light of the facts adduced. The only way to meet the case was to waive the Act so as to allow Barton to receive the compensation to which he was entitled. A motion that the report be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and that the evidence be printed was agreed to. Sir Joseph Ward said that if the Insurance Company concerned considered it was going to get any of the money given to Barton, who was entitled to £350 from the Government, and also to the sum he was entitled to receive from the City Coundil under the Workers' Compensation Act, the facts revealed an outrage on the state of things. If Barton did not receive such compensation he would ask the House to pass legislation to enable Barton to obtain it.

THAT £4OO.

Technical points raised. On the motion to go into a Committee of Supply, MrMassey then brought up tne question of the reinstatement of the vote of £4OO for a. Financial Adviser in London* which was placed on the 4 Supplementary Estimates, and which gave rise to the stonewall before Christmas. He Contended that it was not competent to deal again during the same session , With the question. A long discussion on the. points of order raised by Mr as to the competence of reinstating a vote already rejected ensued, ttnd when the Bouse ultimately went into ComritUtee Mr Massey raised the | under consideration having; been I struck out, of the Genera; is> could bte reinstated in the Geperai Estimates/without these being *&•- 'cofncnittdcV.and (2) whether ( ,th4 •'sa'ifl item comes dnder the swipe of <i'fce'#.s that may be placed tary. Estimates. ■ / ,;j

The, chairman rut«2d ■on %rK3 first point that while Mr Mas&ey 'was right in regard to the <comm i ittal, the procedure of the Preawief Was authorised by May as being an occasion for fresh expenditure. In regard to the second point, the chairman ruled that the appropriation must be placed on the Estimates, not being a grant made by statute. The Speaker confirmed the Chairman's ruling. Discussion on the vote was then resumed.

THE PREMIER WAXES SARCASTIC.

The Premier said the most juvenile 1 member could pursue a course sue' as that pursued by the Leader of cl l Opposition. No judgment was rear edforit; no ability. All that ■ necessary was to keep on harang' z* 6 ! and that was what was being f nM? '* If members wanted to do a <u*ne. miles walk into the lobbies fioteen amendments he was willing his share. • to take Mr Masaey repeated the viously made by the Oppf oS[<it pre ~ supposed theygwould be 1 ' sstson * He but the Opposition had Jeate " aga,n ' behind them. tbe country The Premier said h / to agree with the pr did not intend ment. The matter Jposals of settlesettled on the floor . would have to be Messrs Russell .'of the House, who voted agai. > Me and C,arke ' day, announce isi the item on Fn ' now vote fori' , J their illteutlon to originally u) * as the y had voted Mr T E 7 jder a m i sa PP re henaion. of party Go /aylor pointed to the evils the preser vernraent, whica lead to <t position, and the necess;

ity of certain members being placed in the awkward position of reversing their votes. If he were a party leader he would do what was done in America. He would give spoils to party. Referring to the Opposition papers, he said they misreported, they distorted, and they lied.' They advocated political purity when it suited them. They'were the mean-; e3 l Political scavengers. he pointed to the importance of ing an elective Executive, which would then represent the will of Parliament. Sir Joseph Ward said that if the leaders of the Opposition were sincere in their assertion that they were willing to meet the liabilities incurred they would not object to the vote being passed, yet tbey attempted to block reconsideration of the item. He could the Opposition as having personal grounds. Mr Massey: "You have no right to say that." The Premier: "I do." After a desultory discussion, last* ing till 11.30 p.m., Mr Massey said the debate was not altogether a waste of time, as it served to teacbv new members a good deal about the procedure of the House and financial matters. Ths whole point was, Whether it was neewsary to have a Financial Adviser in London. (The debate was proceeding v,' on? we went to press.)