PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2676, 4 December 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

[Pun PftKßtl Association.] WELLINGTON, Dec. 3. In the Legislative Council this alternoon the Imprest Supply Bill was put through all stages. . Leave of absence for the remainder of the session was granted to the Hon. J. Holmes on account of ill-health. It was agreed that the Council sib on Monday afternoon next. HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS BILL.

The committee of the whole on the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Bill was resumed at the postponed clause 72, providing that Boards may make an agreement for special terms as to the maintenance in hospitals of members of friendly societies. The Hon. W. E. Collins took strong exception to the clause, which, he said, should not have been introduced 1 into the Bill. He pointed out that the medical profession had not had an opportunity of considering the clause, which was one that was likely to disorganise an institution. The Hon. J. It. Sinclair agreed that the clause ought not to be retained. The Hon. 0. Samuel objected to friendly societies or any other body being treated exceptionally under this Bill.

The Hon. G. J. Smith thought that if friendly societies wanted special advantages, the question ought to _ be dealt with in a separate Bill, not in a general measure of this kind. The Hon. W. E. Collins said that there was not the slightest necessity for invoking legislation in favor of friendly societies. The Hon. J. McGowan hoped they would not destroy a good Bill by introducing such a clause as this one into it. The clause would mean the foisting of friendly societies’ chronic oases on to hospitals and' charitable institutions. The Hon. A. Baldey considered the clause exceedingly unfair to the docThe Hon. Dr. Findlay said that at present more than one third of the members of friendly societies in hospital paid nothing. At present they were unable to pay, and this clause would procure payment for such patients. If the clause enabled an arrangement to be made between the friendly societies and the Boards to pay something for every member in the hospitals, surely that was a good bargain. The Hon. J. R. Sinclair saidl. that, so far from being a good bargain for the hospitals, it would be the very worst that could be made. It put the whole thing down on a money basis, which was contrary to the spirit- of the Act. The Hon. J. T. Paul could see no wrong looking at the financial side of the arrangement. The clause would benefit the poorer classes. The Hon. W. E. Collins, to test the question, moved to delete the opening words of the clause. On a division, after further discussion, the clause was lost by IS to 13. A new clause was inserted on the motion of the Attorney-General, providing for the union of hospital districts. The Bill was reported with amendments, road a third time, and passed. The Council then rose.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

IMPREST SUPPLY AND DEFENCE

BILLS

After midnight on Thursday the debate on the Imprest Supply Bill was continued by Messrs Wright, Hemes, Field, Allen, the Hon. J. A. Millar, and Mr. Lang, and the Bill was read a third time and passed. The Defence Bill was introduced by Governor’s message, and the House rose at 1.5 a.m. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES BILL. At the afternoon sitting of the House to-day, the Friendly Societies Bill was introduced by Governor’s message, and read a first time. The Prime Minister moved than on and after Saturday, 4th December, the House sit on Saturdays from 10 a.m. till 1 p.m. for the consideration of orders of tlie day only, local Bills to take precedence, and, thereafter, Government Bills, which was agreed to. LAND LAWS AMENDMENT. The. House resumed the interrupted debate on the question that the report of the Lands Committee on the Land Laws Act Amendment Bill do lie in the table. Mr. Thomson (Wallace) entered _ a plea for the freehold on behalf of pioneer settlers. Air. Hogg upheld the leaseholders, and denounced the Government’s su.pineness on the land question. THE DEFENCE BILL. At the evening .sitting the second reading of the Defence Bill was carried pro forma on the motion of the Premier,- and the Bill wasl referred to a select committee. IN COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. The House went into Committee of of Supply. A motion by Mr. Allen to reduce the item £llOO for extra clerks and reporters was lost. Mr. Hanan moved to reduce the item £2203, library salaries, by £l, as an indication that, the amount was excessive sive for the work done. The Premier gave details of the library and the work done by the staff as proof warranting the expenditure. Several members bore testimony to tlie value of the library and to the assistance they had received from the staff. The motion was negatived. Mr. Massey moved to strike out the item, Financial Adviser to the Government, Londlon, £4OO. After considerable discussion, touching largely on the Hon. W. P. Reeves, the late High Commissioner, the motion Avas put and carried, hv 35 votes to 25. On the item, £4OO, Commissioner of Taxes and Valuer-General, Mr. Wright moved to reduce the amount by £ I as an indication that the GoA r ernment should inform the House as to the position in regard to the Commissioner of Taxes, against Avhom charges had; been made. Mr. Herdman supported the amendment, and asked! for general particulars of the case. ' ,>

(Left Sitting.)