HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 47, 24 August 1917, Page 8

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House met at 2.30 p.m. As on. former days, petitions were presented praying -the Government to take steps to reduce the cost of living.

In answer to Mr. Wilkinson, the Minister of Defence said that the Military Boards had been supplied with copies of the recommendations of the National Efficiency Board, concerning what were regarded as "essential industries," and requested to act upon them.

Notice was given by Mr. W. H. .Field to ask the Minister of Defence particulars regarding the. payment of the war bonus to members of the permanent 1 staff at Featherston Camp. Replying to a question, by Mr. Nosworthy, the Minister ,of Defence said that the members of the C 2 class would be re-examined by a board, which would go throughout the country. He did- not think that the board would refuse an appeal which would mean the closing up of a farm. , The Prime Minister ,told Mr. Poole that it was not a fact that the Government had offered to purchase the whole of the butter of the Dominion at Is 4d per Ib. Negotiations were proceeding, but he could not make a definite statement for several days. The Hon. W. Fraeor said, in reply to Mr. Webb; that he would not have any outside inspector inspecting the Otira tunnel, but he would see that it was kept in sudh a condition that men could work there without detriment to their health. For years there had been a movement to make the tunnel work a six-hours' day on an eight-hours' pay, and ho would not do it. If such claim were insisted on, it (might happen that he would have to stop work.

Mr. Poole asked the Minister of Defence if it is true that a quantity of butter i had been thrown overboard from a, transportion account of its rancid quality. The Minister said he had heard of the rumour, and would have enquiries made.

(Left Sitting.)