HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 139, 9 December 1918, Page 8

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House of Representatives met at noon to-day. CONTROL OF COAL. Mr. M'Combs (Lyttelton) asked when, the Coal Control Committees would be disbanded. The Hon. A. M. Myers replied that he did not think that it was desirable at present to disband the committees.' During the epidemic the supplies of coal available by importation and from local mines had' been reduced. He would be pleased to go into the whole matter again to ascertain when, in the interests of the public, the committee system could be terminated. Circumstances had necessitated the formation of these committees, which had to be composed of men who understood the trade." He took full responsibility for settling up these committees. • ■ • • .-...-..■. „ i->-, Mr. M'Combs asked the Prime Minister why a higher price was being charged in Christchurch for "rubbishy lignite" than for State coal. '•■ - Mr. Mas3ey replied that the Board of Trade's report on coal (interrupted by the epidemic) would cover such matters.

CENSORED LITERATURE. ':, In reply to Mr. Nosworthy (AshbuW ton) regarding censored literature, < the Hon. A. M. Myens said that he associated himself with the reply given by the Attorney-General (published in The Post last week). FARMERS' NEEDS. The Hon. D. Buddo asked questions about the prospect of new supplies of fencing wire and manures. " . ' ' '' The Prime Minister replied that the easing op in the manufacture of munitions, and the improvement of shipping, would gradually bring the trade back to normal. Already this matter was the subject of communication with the High Commissioner. Everything possible ■would be don» to meet the needs of farmers. WAR INDEMNITIES. NEW ZEALAND'S SHARE. The Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward explained in the House of Representatives to-day, that an indication had been gWen to the Imperial authorities that New Zealand would expect a share of any war indemnities imposed on Germany. . Sir Joseph Ward remarked that the ir'Umnity should be sufficient to extinguish tl.ti debts incurred by the British Empire and the allied countries., (Proceeding.)