PARLIAMENTARY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5060, 25 June 1895, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

JOTTIXfiS. Tho Pharmacy Bill which the Minister of Railways is introducing in lieu of tho Bill promoted by tho Pharmacy Board, which Ministers blocked last year, provides that any person may bo registered as a chemist without examination who, before the Ist January, 1881, carried on business as a chemist and druggist or homeopathic chemist in an open shop for two months, or who was for six months before that date employed as dispensing assistant in such shop, or who has for throe years been employed ns a dispensing chemist in any surgery or hospital, charitable or public institution, in New Zealand, or who at any time before the Ist January, 1895, has for three years been employed as a dispensing chemist in an open shop, or who holds a certificate or diploma

from any recognised authority, or who is a legally qualified medical practitioner. Tho Bill also provides for the creation of a class of licensed drug sellers under regulations to be from time to time fixed by Order -in - Council. These licensed drug sellers are to be exempted from various provisions of the Act, but must not carry on business within one mile of Ihe shop of any registered chemist. No one but chemists, licensed drug-sellers, or medical men will be allowed to pell any drugs for internal or external use, or any of the articles taken or sold as medicines. Tho Public Tenders Bill of the

Minister for Labour is to apply to all Crown tenders and contracts of Local Bodies for public or otbor works involving tho employment of workpeople of either sex, and to the making of boots, shoes, or clothing by any person, linn, or company. There shall be no obligation to accept the lowest lender, hkh tender is to contain a declaration that the tenderer will observe the hours, and pay the wages for workinghoursandoveitimegenerally accepted as fair and usual in the class of labour affected. He must also specify the various classes of labour he means to employ, and the minimum wages he proposes to pay to them. No tender is to be accepted where there is reason to believe that fair wages and hours are not to be observed, Any contract not in accordance with the Act shall be void. Whether a contract is enteral into pursuant to tenders or not, (he contractor will he bound to pay a fair wage and keep ruling lioiirs,aml the contractor can only sublet such portions of the work as in tho opinion of the eontractee would not be produced or, executed in the ordinary course of his business. The contractor is to be fully liable for the carrying out of the provisions of the contract by his sub-contractors. Local authorities, are, however, authorised to adopt the co-operative system, Provision is made for referring any alleged breaches of the Act to the Court of Arbitration.

I Tho Wages Attachment Bill proJ vides that no order attaching or charging the wages of a workman shall be made by any Court, The Evidence Further Amendment Act provides that any prisoner i« a gaol may he brought lip to give evidence. It is provided that in cases where breaches of the Customs law, or sale of intoxication liquors, or distillation, are involved, the plea that evidence would tond to incriminate shall not be receiyed,but the witness may receive an indemnity from the Court. All confessions to Ministers are to be privileged in civil proceedings.— Pott.