GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Waikato Argus, Volume IX, Issue 720, 4 August 1900, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. YESTERDAY. TIIK Council met at '2.30 p.m. THIRD HEADINGS. The Weights and Measures Act Amendment Kill and the Education Boarda' Election Bill was read a third time. COMPENSATION TO WORKERS. The Workers' Compensation for Accidents Bill was further considered in committee, and on the motion of Mr Pinkcrton, as Chairman of the Labour Bills Committee, the words " legitimate" and " illegitimate "J us applied to sons and daughters were omitted, and husbands, wives brothers, and sisters were included as members of workers' families. Mr McLean gave notice to move the committal ot the Bill. SECOND READINGS. The Noxious Weeds Kill, Native Interpreters Classification Bill, Public Contracts Bill, Canterbury Empowering Bills, and Millers' Hours of Labour Bill were read a second time. BILLS PASSED. The Dmiedin City and Suburban Tramways Bill, and the Greymouth Harbour Board Loan Bill passed throuch committee without amendments and were read a third time and passed. The Council rose at 3.30 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. YESTERDAY. The House met at 2.30 p.m. CHINESE PETITION. Mr Guinness presented a petition from 480 Chinese residents of the colony praying, for restrictions on the importation of opium. FIRST HEADINGS The Press Association Copyright and Indictable Offences Summary Jurisdiction Amendment Bills were introduced and read a first time TEACHERS' SALARIES. Mr Fisher gave notice to ask if in view of the probable increase in capitation allowance to Education Boards the Government will request the Board not to put . into force proposals to reduce teachers' salaries until the proposal is considered. INSPECTION OF SLAUGHTERHOUSES. On the report of the Committee on the Slanghterhousps Inspection Bill that the introduction of the Bill be agreed to, Mr Colvin moved an amendment Iliac it be referred 1 back to the Committer for reconsideration. The Premier opposed the amendment, stating that it was proposed to include in the Bill provision to pay compensation to owners of slaughterhouses whose premises were rendered useless under the Bill, and also to compensate owners whose cattle were destroyed. , On that explanation, Mr Colvin agreed to withdraw his amendment, and the Bill was set down for the Order Paper. REPLIES TO QOESTrONS. Answering questions the Ministers said the new Parliamentary Library was not yet completed, therefore, there was no necessity for the appointment cf a librarian, but the Library Committee would be consulted in the consideration of the qualifications of applicants. That every care had been taken to prevent the introduction of' the bubonic plague into the coloiy. That the Government had issued a circular urging the volunteer corps to adopt the khaki drill uniform without delay, and that the Government is prepared to supply the uniform to recentlyaccepted corps ; but declined to allow payment for the same to be charged against capitation. That the Government had not heard any demand for the remission of duty on kerosene ; but would consider the question. That recent escapes from the Wellington goal were int due to insufficiency of warders. That it is proposed to amend the Old Age Pensions Act in the direction of allowing; aliens to obtain the pension after onp, instead of five years' naturalisation. Mr Ell referred to the ravages of cancer amongst the population of the colony, aud, in reply to his question, Mr Ward said he would secure from Kiewichy, of Vienna, a noted specialist on cancer, a copy of the report on the treatment of that disease. The Speaker asked for, and was granted, leave of absence to visit Christchurch, on important business. Mr Guinness took the chair. ANSWERS TC QUESTIONS.' Replying to further questions, Ministers said the matter of increasing the amount of money lent out as loans to local bodies would be considered. That there seemed to be no finality to the naval and military laud claims* and the Government was averse to re-opening the question. That the Government was agreeable to extend the time over which the inquiry into the management of the Stoke Industrial School should be held ; but the Commissioners did not appear to think it necessary, and counsel for the OhariUble Aid Board did not press for au extension of time. That the attention of the Government had been called to the influx of Austrians to Auckland, and steps would be taken to prevent their lauding. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES DILL. The amendments made in the Weights and Measures Bill by the Legislative Council were agreed to. EDUCATION BOARD ELECTIONS. The Edncition Boards Election Bill was introduced and read a first time. MINISTERS' SALARIES. Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Ministers' Salaries and Allowances Bill. He stated that it was with some diffidence that he introduced the Bill, as he was personally interested ; but it was the first time he had been in such a position since he, as a Minister of the Crown, defended the Bill, on the ground that increased duties involved in increased wealth aud population of the colony made the proposed increase in salaries fair and just. Ua'pt. Russell thought Ministers should be butter paid, but condemned the proposed increase iu the number of Ministers and the payment of travelling allowances, which were only issued by Ministers iu going round the colony on electioneering business, while the business of the colouy was neglected. Mr Morrison supported the Bill. Mr T. McKcuzio and Mr Miller supported the increase in Ministers' salaries, but condemned the iucrease in the numbers. Messrs R. McKeuzie, Napier, Laurensou, Ell, Witheford, Hornsby, Wilford, Fowlds and Barclay supported the Bill, and J. Allen Symes, Collins, Lang and Monk opposed it. The Premier replied, and the second reading of the Bill was carried by 3G to 12.