HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 35, 10 August 1923, Page 8

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House of Representatives met at 2.30 plni.

The Baptist Union Corporation Bill was read a, third time and passed. ' Mr. R. A. Wright gave notice to ask the Prime Minister whether he would permit a debate on the question of whether Parliament should meet in May instead of at the end-of June.

The Hon. J. A. Hanan asked what were the important Bills which the Prime Minister wanted to get through this session. ,

The Prime Minister replied that such a question required' notice.. Naturally, financial measures came first. A consolidation of the land and income tax was already before the House, and there .would he a Bill dealing with sinking funds, although this, could not be proceeded with. There was a sjnall tariff measure; the Gaining.Bill, which would be dealt with; and the Legislature Amendment Bill.

Mr. Veitch: "Will you try it?" Mr; Massey: "There'is no need to ask a question like that. When I make a promise I .will keep it. If. the House chooses to pass it, well and good." Mr. Hanan': /'When' will it be circulated?" . .

Mr. Massey: "It is comine before Cabinet to-morrow: I think there are some clauses to go in arid some to come out." ' • ' ' ■ -

Mr. Wilford: "Will you pass it?" Mr. Massey: "I would like to get the assurance of both sections of the Opposition on that point." (Laughter.) Mr. Massey suggested that with a little application this programme could be completed in good time. As for the' Licensing Bill, the Select Committee was being strengthened, and he hoped to have the measure placed before the House, though he could scarcely expect it to be passed this session.

Mr. Masters: "What about the Dairy Control Bill?"

The;.;£rime Minister (emphatically) r ''That.'! goes without saying—the Dairy Control Bill will be brought down. Make no mistake about that! I hope there will be iio^:boxeß broken^'open this,-time to get -information"about "the Bill. Soiiieone ought to have got six months, over what happened last session in connection with the BiJ|!"

' Mr. G. ,Witty (Ricoarton) asked when the Railway; Classification List would come down. .

The Hon. J. G> Coates replied that it was being compiled, and he was requesting that expedition be exercised in connection with the matter.

Mr. .J. M. Dickson (Chalmers) aEked whether food for cattle would be carried free in the Taierii flood areas. t The Minister of Railways (the Hon. G. J. Coates) replied that' he would be glad to look into the matter. (Left Sitting.)