IN PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3339, 4 October 1911, Page 2

IN PARLIAMENT.

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. MENTAL DEFECTIVES BILL PASSED SERIES OF MEASURES DEALT WITH. II'EE PttESS ASSOCIATION^ WELLINGTON. Oct, 3. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Hutt Railway .and Road Improv'cment Amendment Bill was read ai second time. The Attorney-General moved the second; reading of the Hauraki Plain© Amendment Bill, remarking that thei wior'k done in the district was one of the most profitable and: beneficial that had ever , been undertaken in New Zealand, and indicated that the Government should not hesitate to step forward and initiate works of this character. The Bill was read a second time. The Mental Defectives Bill was read a third time and passed. The Papakaio Water Race Bill (Hon. G. Jones) was read a second time without discussion, The Wanganui School Site Bill was passed in committee without amendment, and read' a third' time and passed. The; Patents Designs- and Trades Marks Bill. Sir Donald McLean Memorial Park Bill, were, on the motion of the Attorney-General 1 , read a. second time, and the Council adjjionrned. H APPENSNBS IN THE HOUSETHE ELECTORAL LAW. _ * MORE ABOUT THE ESTIMATES The House met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Mr Fisher, the ActingPremier said that the amendment of the electoral law would be introduced this session. Sir Jas. Carroll also, informed Mr. V. Reed that the printing of the electoral rolls is being expedited. The amendment made by the Legislative Council in the Friendly Societies Bill to bring the measure into operation in 1912 instead of immediately was agreed to. SUBMARINE SIGNALLING. On- the motion of the Hon. J. AMillar to go into Committee of Supply on the Estimates, Mr. Reed moved an amendment that’ the time had arrived for,the installation of submarine signalling apparatus on- the shipping of the ) Dominion. I Mr. Millar admitted that the matter was one of great importance, and said that he was approaching the owners of apparatus with a view to obtaining the . sole rights for the Dominion. Tho | present charge was too heavy to admit ; of the system being brought into genJ era! 1 use, but if the Government acquired' the rights it would be prepared to make the payments from shipowners * extend over a number of years. Mr. Reed’s amendment was negatived. and the House then went into Committee bn the Estimates. 1 MENTAL HOSPITALS. Continuing on those of the Internal Affairs Department, £325,118, several i members urged the paring of adequate salaries to, and the shortening of the hours of, attendants in mental hospitals, and referred to the; present over- | crowding of such institutions. A suggestion by Mr. Fervids for one central institution met with opposition , on the score of heavy cost to relatives ; travelling to see the patients. > The Hon. D- Buddo, in reply, said the ) Supplementary "Estimates would provide I for a. sufficient sum to meet increases in > salaries Dor the year. | Dealing with the matter of accoin- * modation, the Minister said the pro- * posali for a large central hospital) did not do away with, the present hospitals, which would' be continued. It was, in addition, supplementing the present system. With regard to the average hours attendants were at present working 61J hours weekly, and this Would be reduced to 571. Attendants would have every, fifth day off, with 24 days’ leave annually. As far as possible the above would be given effect to*. Mr. Isitt urged the Government to hold its hand until after the election as, if the electors in a few Aveeks recognised their responsibilities in the matter of the liquor traffic, mental hospitals Avould he half emptied and neAv institutions Avould not be required. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. HEALTH OF NATIVES. The House resumed at 7.30 p-m. Mr. Buddo, replying to criticisms and questions regarding the Internal Affaire •vote, said the Department was; providing for two European and tAy*©; Native .nurses for the Natives. He favored a system of lectures for Natives to inculcate in them the benefits of home nursing. Hospital Boards would in: future do" more for the , health of Natives. Mr Greenslade objected to the cheeseparing; policy of the Government in connection withe Cambridge sanatorium, and asserted there, Avas not sufficient car© in the medical inspection of immigrants. Mr. Allen moved to reduce the vote for hospitals and charitable aid by £l, as a protest that the laAv had not- been complied Avith, the Minister not having laid the Hospital and Charitable Aid report on the table of the House Avithin 21 days of the assembling of Parliament. The amendment was negati\’ed by 37 to 30. Mr. Fisher sought information concerning the functions of the Inspector of Five Brigades. He did not see that there Avas any occasion for an_ appointment of the kind, as the duties Ayere, so far as he could see, comparatively small, and he Avas inclined to believe a billet had been created for an officer. Mr.' Fisher moved the reduction of the vote for “uniforms and overcoats fpr messengers, £100,” as an indication that the State should manufacture its own uniforms for all departments, instead of purchasing them by .contract. The amendment Avas lost by 40 to 13, and the total vote Avas passed. The next class taken was Customs, Marine, and Harbor, £123,832. (Left sitting.)'