THE DAY IN PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 28, 2 August 1923, Page 7

THE DAY IN PARLIAMENT

From the point of view of public business, the House of Representatives was not in a very expeditious frame of mind yesterday. The whole of the afternoon was devoted to a. discussion upon hospital administration, many members criticising the Government for not giving effect to the recommendations of the Hospitals Commission generally. This debate followed upon the presentation of the Public Health Department's annual report. In the evening the War Pensions Amendment Bill was introduced, the Minister of- Defence stating that its provisions were framed on the lines of the recommendations of the War Pensions Commission. He also stated that tlie increases provided for would amount to _approximately £80,000. There was a brief debate on the Bill, which was read a first, time, and the House then proceeded to give further consideration' to the Estimates. This discussion commenced about 3.30 o'clock and' lasted until shortly before 1 a.m., but as members availed themselves freely of opportunities for prolixity progress was not by any means so rapid .as the Prinio Minieter would have desired. • He told the House so, too, but his mild protest failed to have the effect of stopping the flow of words until nearly half an hour later. However, as no one—not even Mr. Massey— was anxious to wait until the sun appeared over the Orongorongos it was decided to call a halt at 1 a.m., and the House then rose. The Legislative Council m three-quarters of an hour disposed of the Baptist' Union Incorpora-" tion Bill, the Companies Amendment BUI, the Industrial and Provident Societies Amendment Bill, and the Registration of Aliens Suspension Bill, all of which were passed. The Savings Bank Amendment Bill, the 'Cook and Other Islands Amendment Bill, and the Immigration Restriction Amendment Bill were read a first time. . Satisfied with the afternoon's work, the Council adjourned for a week.