HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12641, 31 October 1905, Page 5

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 11 a.m

COMMERCIAL CABLEGRAMS

Sir J. G. Ward, in answer to Mr Vile, said that the commercial cablegrams sent by the High Commissioner would be very much extended, and arrangements bad just been concluded in that direction; and t(he fluctuation on the selling exchange of all articles exported by the colony would be carefully watched by experts, and cabled to the colony. CONDOLENCE. Mr Seddon moved the following resolution : " That this House desires to place on record its h*fch sense of the distinguished services rendered New Zealand by the late Mr Alfred Saunders, and its appreciation of his valuable services as a member of tibe House of Representatives, and its recognition of his work as a public man in Nelson and Canterbury, and also <as a contributor to the literature of the colony, and tenders to the members of his family its heartfelt sympathy in itiheir irreparaible loss." Mr Seddon spoke at some length in terms of high praise of the unselfish and distinguished services of the late Mr Saunders. .Mr Lewis apologised far the unavoidable absence of the Leader of the Opposition, and seconded the motion in 'his stead.

Appreciative references to deceased were made by Mr Buddo, Sir William Steward, Sir Joseph Ward, and Messrs Witty and Harding. The last named expressed, on behalf of fhe temperance workers of the colony, their high appreciation of Mr Saunders' services in the cause of temperance. The motion was agreed to, and at mid-] day the House adjourned tall 2.30, as a mark of respect to Mr Saunders' memory. .Sir Jdseph Waird announced that he intended to proceed with the Civil Service Classification Bill iin the afternoon, and he hoped, with the co-operation of fhe House, to get it on the Statute Book. The House resumed at 2.30. TOURIST TRAFFIC. A BUI. to provide for administration and cbiraficil of the tourist traffic and scenic reserves of the colony was introduced by governor's message. , Mr Massey called for & division as a protest against the introduction of a new Bill ait this stage of the session. The introduction of the Bill was agreed to by 31 to 20, and the Bill was read a first time on tihe voices. Sir Joseph Ward then announced that he did mot propose to proceed with the Bill this session. H© Ihad only introduced it for tihe purpcee of having it circulated during the recess among persons interested. SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES. ' Mr Massey asked when the Supplementary Estimates would make their appearance.. There was, he added, a very great deal of dissatisfaction on both sides of the House at tihe delay tfoait had taken place dn bringing fhe session to a close. .... Mr Seddon said the Supplementary Estimates were <now being printed, and jpould be brought down early this evening. He hoped to finish the work of the session ito-mghit. Mr Massey observed that the statement or" the Premier would help the business through. CIVIL SERVICE CLASSIFICATION. : Sir Joseph Ward moved the second reading of the Civil Service Classification Bill, which provides for the establishimenit of a Board to formulate _a scheme of classification for the Civil Service. That scheme had, he said, to be submitted to the House for approval next session. The classification of the Civil Service was a very difficult matter, and 'he thouglht the scheme proposed was the best way to do it. He believed "the proposal would be hailed with satisfaction by the Departments affected. Mr Massey did not oppose the Bill, and hoped the scheme would be submitted early next session. The second reading was agreed to on the voices, and the Bill was committed. It was amended to provide that it shall not apply to the Post and Telegraph and Railway Departments and ■members of the defence forces.

During further discussion Sir Joseph Ward said tihe effect of clause 15 was that five years' unbroken service would entitle a person to come under the scheme.

Mr Jas. Allen said the- result of tlhat would be that entrance by examination would be done away with and hundreds of temporary clerks could be appointed and automatically become permanent at the end of five years. S;r Joseph Ward declared that no such thing was contemplated. A proposal by Sir W. Steward that tihe provision in clause 15 with regard to five yea.rs' unbroken service should apply after (as well as before) the coming in to operation of the scheme. Carried by 36 to. 13. ' The Bill was reported with the amendments. On the motion for the third reading several members protested against such an alteration in the position of temporary clerks being made at the end of the session. Against this view it was urged that after a man (Svadbeen a temporary clerk for five years it n-as only right that he should be classified. •Mr Bawmo moved as an amendment that the Bill be recommitted for ■ the purpose of repons'dcrang the amendment in clause 15. Eventually S> Joseph Wa;rd said he would liave Sir *W. Steward's amendment struck cut in the Legislative Council if it was found it had the effect intended. The recommittal of the Bill was negatived by 33 to 4, and the Bill was put through, its final stagea AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS BILL. The Agricultural Implement Manufacture Import alt on .and Sal© Bill was taken into Com unit tee. At 5.10 p.m. Mr Massey wanted to know whether the Premier meant to go on with the Bill. Mr Seddon «aid he understood the objection of the opponents of the meas ire was withdrawn in part at any rate. It was also suggested that a bonus shoiikl foe offered to our manufacturers if the Board considered it necessary. If that was nob accepted he would force on his Bill. Mr Massey said if the Board considered the industry should be protected the proper 'thing would be for-the. Premier to call Parliament together. iMr Hogg considered all that was necessary was for the Board to report to Parliament next session on the operations of the Trust. At clause 5 the constitution of the Board was altered and fixed as follows: —President of the Arbitration Court (who shall be chairman), the Presidentof hhe Farmers' Union, President of the Industrial Association of Canterbury, a representative of the Trades and Labour Councils, and a representative of the A. and P. Associations. At clause 7 the proposal that duty -may be imposed if the New Zealand Manufacturers reduce prices was struck out and it was provided that if neces-

sary relief be granted in a manner to be hereinafter provided. Clause 12 was amended to provide that the Act shall continue in operation until Ist August, 1906. The House rose at 5.45. i The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The following new clauses in the Agricultural Implement Bill were brought down by Governor's message and considered in Committee. 7 A (1) In any case where the Board recommends that relief be granted it ffliall be lawful for the Commissioner to grant to the manufacturers of implements in New Zealand such bonus not exceeding 33 per centum as he deems necessary to enable manufacturers to compete with importers of such implements ; (2) the right to such bonus shall be subject to such terms and conditions as tJhe Governor-in-Council thinks fit to impose. 9 A (1) Whenever it is proved to the satisfaction of the collector that duty paid materials have been used in the construction of any implement he shall refund to the manufacturer of sudh implement the amount of duty paid on the materials so head; (2) for the purposes of this section materials includes part of implements that cannot advantageously be manufactured in New Zealand. These new clauses were agreed to practically without amendment, and the Bill was put through its final stages on the voices. WORKERS' DWELLINGS. A Bill to amend the Workers' Dwellings Act, 1905, was introduced by Governor's message. It provides that the Pcltoill Gully and the Fort Reserves, Miramar, and any other land reserved for defence purposes that is not required for such purposes, shall be set apart for the erection of workers' dwellings and amends section 4 of the principal Act by fixing tih& cost of erection of each dwelling at £350 if constructed of wood, and £400 if constructed of brick. Mr Seddon explained that there were fifty sections available at Polhill Gully and about 200 at Mliiramar, all of which were now lying idle and useless. The BUI' was put through all its stages in a few minutes, Ma* Seddon remarking that he hoped to have the first workers' dwellings begun at Polhill Gully in a few weeks. SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES. The Supplementary Estimates were brought down by Governor's message. THE MAORI LAND CLAIMS. The Maori Land Claims Adjustment Bill was read a second time on the vdices without debate. The Bill was put through Committee and its final stages. The Factories Act Amendment Bill (which fixes a minimum wages for factoryworkers up-to'2o.years of age), and the Ellesmere Lands Drainage Bill were put through all their stages. At 10.30 p.m. tfhe House went into Committee of Supply for oonsideratioa of the Supplementary Estimates.