PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2685, 15 December 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

DEATH DUTIES AND DEFENCE BILLS.

IPbu Press Association.l WELLINGTON, Dec. 14. In the Council this afternoon the Death Duties- Bill and the Naval Defence Bill Avere put through their final stages.

INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS AMEND-

MENT BILL

The Attorney-General moved the second reading of the Industrial Schools Amendment Bill, which, he explained, provides for a period of detention or four years beyond the age of 21 where, in the opinion of the Minister, an inmate of a school is morally degenerate, or is otherwise not in the public interest a fit person to be free from control. Amendments of the principal Act were also included providing that a magistrate might make an order up to 10s per week, instead of Bs, as at present, for the maintenance of a child committed to aii industrial school. The Hons. J. McGowan, J. E. Jonkinson, and O. Samuel took exception to the detention provision, which they averred was an infringement of the liberty pf the subject. Mr. Samuel asked that at least 24 hours might be given to enable members to consider the provisions of the Bill. * The Hon. C. M. Luke supported the Bill.

The Hon. J. B. Callan generally approved of the Bill, but thought power should he given to remove degenerates to a lunatic asylum. The Minister, in reply to those who objected to the Bill on the ground of interference with the liberty of the subject, said that the objectors were too fanciful. There was the liberty of the community, the life and health of the community to be considered. The object of the Bill was to extend moral treatment beyond the age of 21. The second reading was agreed to. A number of local Bills received from the House were read a second time, and the Council adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THE DEFENCE BILL

After midnight on Monday, Mr. Massey supported the principle of the Bill, but regretted that it had not been brought down earlier to permit of proper consideration. The second reading was carried, the Bill committed, and progress reported immediately. RAILWAY ENGINEDRIVERS’ AND FIREMEN’S SOCIETY. At the afternoon sitting to-day, Mr. Hogan, chairman of the Railways Committee, reporting on 74 petitions praying that official recognition be granted to the Enginedrivers’ and Firemen’s Society, said that the Committee had no recommendation to make. This conclusion was« arrived at after the consideration of a number of facts, which showed that the firemen and cleaners had been equally, represented by the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, which had given due prominence to their interests; that firemen and drivers could obtain all the reforms they demanded by reforming the existing organisation; and that it was desirable in making representations to the Minister in connection uToti the railway service that one society should represent the men. Mr. T. E. Taylor (Christchurch) said that the enginedrivers and firemen had not received the attention from the existing Society which they were entitled to, and''consequently they were asking for a separate organisation.. At the time, they requested the Minister to grant permission to form a new society, the Hon. J. A. Millar had said that when the membership attained’ a thousand, he would concede the demand. At the present time the Enginedrivers’ Society had a membership of 1100 out of a total of 1400 men engaged in that branch of the service. This fact in itself showed that there must bo good grounds for the claims of the men. Mr. Luke could not agree with the remarks of Mr. Taylor. The interests of the public had to be considered as well as those of the men. Separate societies would create difficulties. If the concession asked for by the drivers were granted, it would lead to similar demands from other sections of the Departments. Mr. Malcolm moved that the report bo referred back to the Committee for further consideration. He held that the recognition of the new society stood for harmony in the service. After further discussion, the Hon. J. A. Millar said that lie had endeavored to keep clear of one side or the other in the dispute. Hie Amalgamated Society had done good work for the railway servants. It would be able to do good work under the Arbitration Bill .to be brought down, or would have the onportunitv of coming under the Act. He had no doubt that if the new society was recognised, further secessions from the original body would be made. On no occasion had the Amalgamated Society approached him without referring to matters affecting enginedrivers. He was not taking the report of the Committee as final, and would prefer the matter to sfand over. He believed that the drivers could obtain representation without splitting the Society. He asked Mr. Malcolm to withdraw his amendment on the understanding that the committee report was not final. _ , , . ~ This course was adopted, and the renort agreed to. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. THE DEFENCE BILL.

At the evening sitting the Defence Bill was committed. On clause 4, replying to Mr- Allen, the Premier said that regulations regarding pay and clothing were not included in the Act. He could give no furthor information than that it was proposed to give territorials 3s a day and rations. While in camp, and that no uniform would be provided for cadets. These matters would .be dealt with by regulation. Mr. Massey moved to add a suuolause to clause 4, giving power to the Government to make regulations as follows: That such regulations shall be laid before Parliament, within 14 days after being gazetted, if Parliament is then sitting, and if not, then within 14 days of the meeting thereof. Mr. Allen supported the amendment, but thought nil regulations should be submitted to a committee : ot tne Mr?'T. E. Taylor strongly protested against the creation of a military power over civil, authority, and supported the amendment on the ground that Parliament should have the right to amend regulations before they were ■gazetted. , Sir Joseph Ward said that the Bill was based on the lines of the present Defence Act, and no trouble had arisen in regard' to regulations, and there had never been any reason for putting these before the House. Mr. Allen said that nearly everything was being done by regulation.

He considered that the House should have an opportunity to review the regulations, so that provision couiti be made for supplying cadets ■with uniforms. which were necessary in order to maintain discipline. After further discussion, the amendment was put, and lost by 42 to 31, and the clause passed. On clause 5, providing for the appointment of' officers of the defence forces, Mr. Malcolm moved to add the words “subject to the proviso that, every company in the territorial force may elect all the company officers thereof.” fp e amendment was defeated by 5G votes to 9. Clause 12, whicji sets up a Council of Defence, was objected to by Mr. Allen, who moved to omit sub-clause (c), which provides for the appointment of a finance member of the Council. _ This was negatived on the voices, and the clause passed. . The clause for prescribing the. duties of the commandant was struck out On a motion by Sir Joseph 'Ward. (Left sitting.)