IN PARLIAMENT

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3662, 25 October 1912, Page 5

IN PARLIAMENT

YESTERDAY’S SITTINGS

THE COUNCIL

[PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM] WELLINGTON. Oct. 124. In the Council the amendments made by the House in the Births and Deaths'Registration Bill were agreed to.

In Committee on the ‘ Defence Amendment Bill in subsection 2, clause (54, providing for exemption from militarv service on the ground of religious 'belief, the words “contrary to the doctrines of his religion” were altered to “contrary to his religious belief” on the motion of the Minister. r Hie Bill was reported with amendments.

The Widows’ Pensions Bill was reported with technical amendments.

THE HOUSE.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr Herdman moved that the amendments made by the Council in the Public Service Bill he agreed to. Sir Joseph Ward objected to the powers proposed to be vested in the Commissioner.

Mr Russell said that any responsibility which had been in the hands of the Minister would he removed by the passage of the Bill. The Government desired to say that if the scheme failed that fault was on the part of the Commissioner.

Mr \ r eiteh asked what was going to become of a. Government which took every individual, by the throat and said “for the future you must approach us. AYe are a Government and we are going to rule you-as wo think fit!” In his opinion the Commisioner would deteriorate into an autocrat. '

Mr NeWman said the measure would exclude the political influence which had been so much in evidence in the past.