THE HOUSE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2501, 30 June 1915, Page 5

THE HOUSE

The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.lll. Mr. Speaker administered the oath to ill'. 6. W. Forbes (Hurunui), Mr. E. Newman (liangitikeil, and Mr. W. T. Jennings (Taunianniui). Mr. C. A. WILKINSON (Egniont) gave notice to ask the Minister of Public Works when lie expected that tlio first section of Parliament Buildings would be completed, and whether lie would explain the causes ol' apparent delay up till the present. FIRST READINGS. The Definition of Time Bill (Mr. T. K. Sidey), the Enemy Contracts Bill (the Hon. A. L. Herdman), the Mortgages Extension Amendment Bill (tho Hon. A. L. Herdman), the Regulation of Trade and Commerce Amendment Bill (the Hon. A. L. Herdman), the Statutes Compilation Amendment. Bill (the Hon. A. L. Herdman), the Trading AVithv the Enemy Amendment Bill (the Hon. A. L. Herdman), and the War Regulations Amendment Bill (the Hon. A. L. Herdman) were introduced and read a first time. The Public Expenditure Validation Bill was introduced and read a first time. As was explained by the Hon. J. Allen, the Bill provides for the validation of certain payments in excess of the permitted amount of unauthorised expenditure, which was rendered necessary by the heavy purchases of wheat by the Government. The Cook Islands Government Bill was introduced by Governor's Message and read a first time.

THE LOAN BILL AUTHORITY FOR TEN MILLIONS. A MATTER OP URGENCY. The Public Revenue Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor's Message and read a first time. The RIGHT HON. W. F. MASSEY said that the Bill was one of some urgency—it was really the War Loan Bill—and he would like the House to agree to pass it into law that day. SIR JOSEPH WARD (Leader of the Opposition) said that if the Prime Minister had intended to put the Bill through, it was surely due to the Opposition that they should have been informed of the contents of the Bill. The Right Hon. W. F. MASSEY said that he had mentioned in. the House that the Loan Bill was urgently required, but if there was any objection to the Bill being proceeded with it eould be postponed for a day. Mr. G. W. RUSSELL (Avon) suggested that it would have been a better procedure if tlie Government had brought down ihe clause empowering tiie raising of the ten million loan as a separate Bill, instead of introducing a general amendment of the Public Revenues Act, with the loan proposal in it. It was a great deal to ask of the House to agree to such a Bill. To tho loan proposal no objection would be taken. The Loan—And Details. The Hon. J. ALLEN, Minister of Finance, explained the purport of the Bill. Ho said that the Bill was introduced as a Public Revenues Amendment Bill, because the Loan Bill of last year was so introduced. The Bill consisted of seven clauses, the most important of which from the Government point of view was that- giving authority for the loan. The Government had authority for only two mil'ions, and had used the whole of the Reserve Fund securities. The position at present- 'was embarrassing, and until the Loan Bill was through the difficulty could not bo removed. Sir Joseph Ward: Put through the ten million loan clause and leave the others. Tho Hon. James Allen said that if the honourable gentleman would permit him to explain the Bill ho would see there was no difficulty about any of the clauses. Tlie restriction on the amount of Treasury bills had hampered the Government since the war began, and the scconrl clause of the Bill increased the amount that might be raised under Treasury bills from one and a half millions to two millions. In Clause three the Government asked for an increase in the permitted unauthorised expenditure from £150,000 to £250,000. In war time there were items of expenditure, e.g., for the purchase of wheat, and these items had to be charged to unauthorised and not to the war' expenses account. Clause '1 was a technical clause. It had been tlie practice for the High Commissioner to deposit money in the bank and to obtain interest upon it. It appeared, however, that the High Commissioner had no statutory power to do this, and Parliament was now asked to give it. Clause 5 was the loan clause. Clause 6 provided for the payment from the War Expenses Account of moneys for sick relief and kindred objects. Clause 7 was a technical clause inserted by tho Audit Department. Under the law as it Btood at present it was impossible for the Audit Department to prosecute any member of a local authority for any irregularity later than three months after the irregularity was discovered. Frequently the irregularity was not discovered' for more than three months, and it was then impossible to prosecute. , It was proposed to increase the period to two years. The Bill was urgently needed, and if it were not passed "some accounts that ought to be paid would not be paid. SIR JOSEPH WARD said that if it was intended that the Bill should be proceeded with some intimation should have been given to him. Mr. Massey: Why, I mentioned it the other day to the whole House! Sir Joseph Ward objected that certain matters had been introdnced into the Bill which 'had nothing to do with the loan. Mr. Massey: I should just like to say that we are not going on with the Bill now. Sir Joseph Ward: Very well, that gives us time to consider it.

MEMBERS ENLISTING SUSPENSION OF DISQUALIFICATION. | The Suspension of Disqualification During War Bill (the Hon. A. L. Herdman) was introduced by Governor's Message and rend a first time. Iho Hon. A. L. HERDMAN claimed urgency for the Bill, and asked that it bo allowed to pass through all stages. He explained also tho purpose of the Bill—to allow members going on active service to continue to retain their seats in tho House. SIR JOSEPH WARD (Loader of the Opposition), supporting the Bill, congratulated the honourable members who had enlisted on their patriotic spirit, and wished them a successful campaign. He was sure that in their absence tho interests of thoir constituents would bo watchcd by the members of tho adjoining districts. Tho RIGHT HON. W. F. MASSEY (Prime Minister) also congratulated Mr. Seddon and Mr. Stewart, and expressed a wish that they would return to New Zealand in health and strength. Ho was quite sure they would do tScir duty where they were going. He added his assurance to that already given by Sir Joseph Ward, that- tho interests of these honourable members' constituents would not bo neglected, lie stated, also, that recruiting generally was now verv satisfactorv. Mr. T. E. V. SEDDON (Westlanrl) fchank.od the Prime Minister and tho Leader of the Opposition for their kindlv reference to himself. It was Rood to go riway with t.hn poor) wishr* of member!:, Ho wait vera tr&tclui Ins

the assurances Riven that the interests of bis constituents would bo cared for. His only misgiving about enlisting was 011 account of leaving his constituency unrepresented, but lie was ui inrn: that none of his constituents bad raised any complaint about his going. Foi his friend, the member for Dunedin West, and himself, lie could say that they were both going away fully determined to do their best, and that th<>v hoped to acnuit themselves honourably (Applause.) Mr. \Y. DOWNIE STEWART(DunorIin West) said he wished to join with Mr. Seddon in thanking the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition for their kind expressions of opinion about their enlistment. He was sure, however, that there was 110 honourabi" member of the House who if he wero so fortunately placed as they were in regard to ago and freedom from responsibilities would not do as the} were doing. (Applause.) The Bill passed through all stages. I The House adjourned at 3.55 p.m. until 7.30 p.m.