PARLIAMENTARY

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10430, 22 September 1911, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

By Telegraph—Press Association.

WELLINGTON, Last Night. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m.

IMPREST SUPPLY BILL

The Imprest Supply Bill was put through all its stages.

UNIONISTS

The Attorney-General informed the Hon. Mr Barr that a return of the number of members of Union employers and Union workers would be prepared, and laid on the table. MENTAL DEFECTIVES BILL. On ilia motion to commit the Mental Defectives Bill, the Hon. Mr Paul suggested its reference to a Select Committee, as there were matters which could be more effectively threshed out there than on the floor of the | Council. The Bill was on the right lines, but did not touch the bedrock of the difficulty. He contended that we ought to stop the breeding of the mental defectives. The effect of the propogation of these was such as to demand the fullest discussion, and people of the country looked to Parliament for the betterment and purity of the race. The Hon. Mr Jenkinson also advocated sending the Bill to a Select Committee. The Hon Mr. Anstey thought that before drastic steps were taken to deal with mental defectives we ought to arm ourselves with a good deal more scientific knowledge than we possessed. The Hon. G. Jones moved the adjournment of the debate at the suggestion of the Attorney-General, and the debate was adjourned until 8 p.m. Ho would, he said, like'an opportunity of referring the measure to a Select Committee. THE LATE MR PLATMAN. The Attorney-General moved a resolution of appreciation of the public services of the late Mr F. R. Flatman, and of sympathy with the family.

The Council then rose until 8 p.m. out of respect for the memory of the deceased. \

HOUSE OF REPRESEi\TATIVES

The House met at 2.30 p.m

OFFICIAL DEFALCATIONS

Mr Pearce asked the Minister of Agriculture if it was correct that officers of his Department had to pay a levy of 2d per cent to cover the defalcations of an officer of the Department.

The Hon. T. McKenzie explained that the system obtained in the Civil Service by -which, under the Act, officers were bound to make good by levy the amount of defalcations/This had been in operations for 35 years, and alteration was not contemplated.

MR FLATMAN'S DEATH. ,

Sir Joseph Ward read a telegram announcing the death of Mr F. R. Flatman, an ex-member of the House. He paid a tribute to the deceased gentleman's worth in public life, and moved the usual resolution recording the appreciation of the House of Mr Flatman's services to the country, and sympathy with the family. Messrs Massey, Steward, Nosworthy, and Buxton also paid a tribute to the sterling qualities of Mr Flatman, and on the motion of Mr Massey, the House adjourned until 7.30 out of respect to the memory of the deceased. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m.

THIRD READINGS. The Sir Donald McLean Memorial Park Bill, Grey town Town Lands and Hospital Lands Exchange Bill, Oamaru Municipal Exchange and Market Reserve Leasing Bill (Mr T. Y. Duncan), and Wangamri Harbour Board Vesting Bill were read a third time and passed. BILLS REPORTED. The Waikowhai Park Bill was reported without amendment.

SECOND READINGS

The Mount Hntt County Bill (Mr Hardy), Heathcote County Boundary Bill (Mr Laurenison), City of Christchurch Empowering Bill (Mr Davey), Mosgiel Borough-Empowering Bill and Awatere County Bill (Mr J. Duncan), Counties Bill (Mr Massey), and Wai-makariri-A&hley Water Supply Board Bill (Hon. D. Buddo) were read a second time.