GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Waikato Argus, Volume I, Issue 29, 15 September 1896, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. DEFAMATIOX BILL. The Defamation Bill was read a third time and passed. SECOND HEADINGS. The Abaitoira and Slaughterhonsps Amendment Bill, the Poverty Bay Land and Deeds Registration Districts Bill.the Ngatitou Trust Bill, the Greytown Trustees Empowering Bill, and the Trade Union Act Amendment Bill were read a second time. wages protection. The second reading of the Wages Protection Bill, after some debate, was carried by 19 to 13. IMSIVATE BENEFIT SOCIETIES. After further debate, the Private Benefit Societies Bill was rejected on the second reading by IS to 11. The division list was as follows : Ayes (for the Bill) 11 : Arkwright, Fcldwick, Jenkinson, Jennings, Jones, Kelly, Montgomery, Reeves, Kigg, Taiaroa, W. C. Walker. Noes (against the Bill) 18 : Acland, Baillie, Barnieoat, Bowen, Grace, Holmes, Macgrcgor, McLean, Morris, Oimond, Peacock, Reynolda,Richaidson, Scotland, Steven?, Swanson, L. Walker, Williams. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. MASTER AND APPRENTICES HILL. On the motion for the committal of the Master and Apprentices Bill, Mr Duthie questioned whether a measure of this kind was at all necessary, or whether it was tor the good of the community generally. It would be almost impossible under this Bill to get boys taught the trade of their fathers, and it would only be the sons of well-to-do people that could take advantage of it. Sir R. Stout declared the Bill would have the effect of shutting up half the industries of the colony. He asked what was to become of the youth of the colony UDtler this Bill ? He admitted that boy labour was difficult to cope with, but this Bill did not meet the difficulty at all. It would be calamitous to the workmen and calamUons to the masters. Mr Scdlon said the position to be faced was that the fathers of families should be compelled to maintain their own families by their earnings, and not be dependent on their children. He said there were 500 children emloyed in the colony who received no payment at all ; '2(H) received 2s (3d per week, whilst the great majority received a salary of Of, a week. One effect of this Bill would be that boys who went to trades would find when they had finished their apprenticeship that they would tot be driven out of their trades by boys who received poor pittances. If the industries of the colonics could not be mainlamed without degrading our manhood, then the sooner those industries were closed the better for the colony. He did not say this Bill was perfect, but they should do their best to make it in committee a workable measure.

Captain Russell said the principal result of passing this Bill would be, in his opinion, that the wages of journeymen would be very seriously reduced. He believed that the general feeling of the Labour Bills Committee was that it would be well to postpone the Bill till they had sonic better evidence as to how it would affect both masters and cmrjloyees. He (Captain Russell) saw no indignity in a father being helped by his son, but the Premier did not object to a son helping his father in the country, although he could not agree to such help being given in towns. The Bill would drive out cf the colony the young people who wished to become skilled workmen. Major Stewart saw great difficulty in adjusting the number of apprentices to be allowed, but lie would vote for the second reading. Mr Earnshaw thought the Bill in its n-odificd form would cause a calamity in the labour world He should, however, support the second reading in older, if possible to adjust the proportion of boys to journeymen. Mr Maslin would vote for the second reading of the Bill, but would oppose the third reading if all the provisions were to apply to country as well as towns, as the conditions were very different.

Mr Pinkcrton supported the Bill. They were told that if boy labour were not allowed the manufactures would stop, but they had better stop if they could not be maintained without employing boys. Mr Bnddo supported the Bill, iccognising that it would be to the advantage of the young people of the colony. Mr <!. W. Russell intended to vote for the second reading of the Bill, but said it would require considerable alteration in committee.

Mr Willis considered it rather paradoxical that while the Government were encouraging piotection they were bringing in a Bill that would hamper industries in every direction. Dr. Newman supported the second reading of the Bill, but would like to see the apprentice clausi s struck out in committee.

Mr AlcLachlnn regarded the Bill as a most absurd piece of legislation, which he hoped was never intended to pass. Mr Crowther opposed the Bill, and resented the statement of those members who said our sons and daughters were impoverished. Mr Millar was surprised at Mr Urowthcr's opposition to the Bill, and said Auckland was known as one of the freatest sweating cities of the colony. le st'ongly supported i lie B'll, and while admitting it would reduce the margin of profit to the employer he said it would train our toys and girls to make them competent.

Mr Allen asked what would he the effect on wages if the Bill was gcing to reduce the margin cf irofit to the employers.

The motion for committal was carried by 33 to 22.