The sun., 1910-01-25
FRUITS or THE LAST SESSION
OF PARLIAMENT.

trated on the great budget fight with its
weighty constitutional sequel@ that hardly
any attention has been paid to the other
activities OF the session OF the British Par
lament which recently came to an end.
This is true not only in America but even
In England: yet the session was fruitful
In momentous legislation. and the general
wisdom OF the laws enacted docs not seem
TO be questioned. despite the bitter feelings
stirred up by the general elections. Even
30 partisan a critic as the London Times
treats the chief measures, severally and
collectively. as beneficial 10 the empire.
OF course all the annual bills making
appropriation for the maintenance OF tSe-
army and navy and for carrying on the
Government were passed. and in connec-
tiOn with them several reforms were
Effected. The annual army act contains
provisions which though not effective until
ratified by the colonial legislatures, some
Of which have acted favorably. pave the
way for a large scheme OF imperial organi-
zation. In, the United Kingdom it trans
fers 20 the Army Council. which consists OF
the Secretary for War Chief OF General Stan.
AdIutant-Cieneral. Quartermaster- General.
Master General Of Ordnance, Under Secre-
tsry Of War and Financial Secretary. the
greater por tion OF the former powers OF the
Secretary for War and all those OF the Com
msnder In Chief and the Adjutant-General
IL is the nrst step towar rd the reor aniza ton
Of the British land forces
Three significant navy acts were passed.
One provides for turning over imperial ma
val property In any colony to the Governor
thereof. II is In furtherance OF the conclu-
sions OF the Imperial Defence Conference
held last summer IN London. Another
measure musters colonial naval defence
volunteers into the Royal Naval Volunteer
Reserve. Tho third substitutes detention
in ships or buildings to be called Naval De-
tention Quarters for imprisonment as q
penalty for offences not involving dismissal
from the service. The object il to remove
the stigma OF imprisonment from minor
offenders against discipline.
One OF the most important acts of the
session was the Irish lapd act. which after
much modification by the Lords seems to
suit both OF the Ep elish parties. II is q
com plex measure under which a large ad-
ditional sum is provided on imperial credit
to aid land purchase by the Irish tenant
farmers, In extension OF the operations un-
der the act OF 1908. The act reconstitutes
the Con sested Districts Board, increasing q
it's powers. The Estates Commissioners
also get additional power 90 compel the
sale OF land. Finally. q committee lie es-
tsblished to start promotion OF the valua-
bic Irish fishery interests. Incidentally 1t
may be remarked that added protection Is
given to these by, the trswling in pro-
hibited areas prevention act, which makes
It impossible for foreign pcachers TO sell
their catch in the British Islands. An Irisn
act was also passed to encourage Irish
textile industry by the protection OF its
peculiar marks.
Not second in importance TO the lrish
le egtslation was the passage OF the indian
councils act, by which It is hoped discomfort
in Hindustan may be alleviated through
giving the natives a greater share in the
government of their country. The Fedora
tion Of South Africa act was truly an epoch
rnaking statute. So far II seems to be pro-
ducing all the good effects that we're ex-
peoted from II.
There is nothing so Characteristic Of the
late Parliament as its enactments In the
line OF social reform" Two notable acts
apply directly tn the interests OF labor.
One of these is the act establishing labor
exchanges. and the Board OF Trade has az
really made considers bic headvay in really
ing its provisions, The board is empowered
TO maintain these exchanges or 20 cooperate
with local authorities OF voluntary bodies
by collecting and furnishing information
ss to the requirements OF employers. The
board is 70 establish q system for lending
money to workers for travelling expenses
incurred in taking up Jobs found for them
by the exchanges
bosrds act. II IL based or Australian labor
leGisla tion. and 80 far applies only to tailor
ing. lace making and the manufacture Of
10 xos and chains. n may be extended by
provisional order" 10 other trades. En-
ployers and workpeople are to be repre-
sented equally on the boards. snd the Boa rd
OF Trade may add half as many members
TO the quota. II appoints in addition the
chairman and secretary. who are paid by
a.. r AAr Vas<A
each board must have at least one woman.
Ordinary members are 10 have their ex-
penses, including loss Of time, betrayed by
the Government.
The functions OF the trade boards are thus
defined: They are 10 consider any matter
regarding industrial conditions in their
trade upon reference from a Government
department and report thereon. They are
to Ak minimum rates OF wages for time
and piece work In their several trades. II
is contemplated that this duty may be i'm
possible; therefore the Board OF Trade is
authorized to relieve them of u upon n re-
port to that effect. when they determine a
wage rate IL is TO be enforced gradually.
Employers may be fined 800 for each
offence in paying below the rate fixed by
the board and t?5 a day for each day on
which the offence is continued after con-
viction. The court may order the de hciency
Of pay made good TO the worker. The
Board of Trade may grant permits for
lower pay in the case Of workers incapab Bile
Of doing a standard days work. The bur-
den OF proof in all cases is placed on the
employer, and the Board OF Trade may
take the initiative in proceedings in the
workers interests. To carry out the pro-
visions OF the act inspectors are to be ap-
pointed and $4,000 is Appropriated for
expenses.
One of two international measures Is also
In the interests OF Dor. II confirms a con-
vention with France by which British work
men have the same rights in France as
Frenchmen. and vice versa One other in
terpational measure was made law. IL aims
to promote the International circulation OF
motor vehicles owned by travellers.
Next after the labor acts, the principal
social reform measure IL MIR. Purns's
housing and town planning act. which
regulates the construction OF better dwell
ings for the poor and aims 10 wire out over
crowded and unhealthy quarters in cities
by compulsory process. The develop
ment and road Improvement funds act
is also important, but by some oversight
II fails to provide money to carry out It's
own purposes its title hardly gives a