GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Waikato Argus, Volume XI, Issue 1052, 19 September 1901, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. DRILL IN STATE SCHOOLS. The State School Children Drill Bill passed its final stages. YOUTHFUL SMOKERS. The debate on the second reading of Col. Pitt’s Cigarette Smoking by Youths Prohibition Bill was continued. Colonel Pitt said he was agreeable, if necessary to reduce the age prescribed, and also to abolish the whipping provision. After further debate the second reading was agreed to on the voices. GAMING AND LOTTERIES BILL. Mr Reeves moved the second reading of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1881 Amendment Bill legalising lotteries and sweep stakes. The Minister for Education supported the Bill and Messrs McLean, Jones, Louisson and Bowen opposed it. The Bill was thrown out on division by 17 to 13, BILL PASSED. The Arbitration Court Presidents Validation Bill passed all its stages. The Council rose at 4.55 p.m. HoilSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ARBITRATION COURT. The Bill to remedy all technical defects in the appointment of President of the Arbitration Court was introduced by Governor’s message and read a first time. The second reading of the Bill wa,s then agreed to on the voices, and the Bill passed through committee with slight amendments. The Bill was read a third time and passed. The Acting-speaker read a communication from (he Auditor General, who stated that in accordance with section nine of the Public Revenues Act, he forwarded for the information of the House, copy of correspondence relating to the difference.of opinion between the Audit Offioo and the Treasury respecting certain payment under the Old Age Pensions Act. Mr Seddon moved that the correspondence he referred to the Public Account Committee. He said the sum of money involved was a mere trifle j but it was a question of law involving the power of the Colonial Treasurer extend the time for the payment of Old Age Pensions beyond the month allowed by the Act. He (Mr Seddon) had authorised the payment of certain overdue pension instalments. The Auditor-Gene-ral had challenged the payment, but he (Mr Seddon) was supported bj the Soli-citor-General. If he did not have power to make those payments it meant that some of the recipients of pensions would have to go without some of their instalments. After a short discussion Mr Seddon’s motion was agreed to. STAMP ACT. The Stamp Act Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor’s message and read a first time, REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. In reply to questions Mr Seddon stated that the Government did not propose to amend the Workers Compensation fjr Accidents A,ct in the direction of excluding racing clubs from its provisions. That the amendment of the Military Pensions Act would be introduced this session. That 00-operative workmen in the Government employ are not insured against accident under the Workers Compensation for Accidents Act. In reply to another question Mr Seddon said he drew last year as salary £1,375, and as travelling allowances £485. The latter sum included £225 for expenses to the Commonwealth Celebrations. It had been stated that he had received £2OO allowances, but he could tell the House he had not received twopence for House allowance last year. PROGRESS Ojr BILLS. MrPirani’s School Attendance Bill passed throutjli committee, Counties Act Amendment Bill, the Statutes Compilation Bill, the Miners Rights Fee Reduction Bill, the Rabbit Nuisance Act Amendment Bill, and the Shops and Shop Assistants Act Amendment Bill passed their final stages Mr G. W, Ruseeb’s Eight Hours Bill was killed in committee by 21 to Is. Mr Fowld’s Cycle Boards Bill was further considered in committe, but very little progress was made. Eventually after considerable discussion a motion to report progress was carried by 16 to 15.