TO-DAY'S PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 16909, 5 December 1918, Page 4

TO-DAY'S PARLIAMENT

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL* [Pes United Press Assooiatioh.] .WELLINGTON. December 5. The Legislative Council met at 10.30. The P-:-«t and Telegraph Bill was read a first time. Tho Licensing Amendment Bill passed through committee, with tho excoption of tho clauses referring to Compensation, in which a special committee of the Council had mado amendments. These were postponed, also tho clause dealing with six o'clock closing.—Sir Francis Bell stated his intention of moving in committee a new clause, continuing sis o'clock closing till .Time 30, 1920. If the determination •at the Special Licensing Poll is in favor of National Continuance, then at tho next General Licensing Poll there shall be submitted a separate issue as to whether the restricted hours shall continue.—Progress was reported on the Bill. THE HOUSE. . Xhe House met at noon. The Hon. G. W. Russell said thab until ■fcho Government luiow what the influenza epidemic was going to cost it is impossible for tho Government to formulate a scheme of subsidies on local expenditure. 'The Government, however, would carry out their contract, and pay all tho expenses of the emergency hospitals, etc. j but they would not relieve hospital boards of any of their responsibility.—Supplementary to this, Sir Joseph Ward said it had been decided to provide a certain sum for relief in connection with the epidemic, but it was impossible to say at the moment what that sum would be. Mr M'Callum gave notice of his intention to ask the Prime Minister what steps the Government proposed to take in the matter of granting compensation to the previous licensees in tho 12 electoral districts in which, No-license was already carried. Replying to Mi- Parr, the Hon. G. W, Russell said ha had noticed for several days that public health matters in Auckland were not entirely satisfactory, and JJr Valintine was proceeding there to-day to take matters into his own hands. Ho (tho Minister) would act on Dr Valintine's advice in any future steps he might take, even to the extent of cancelling the quarantine of the Makura. Replying to Mr Malcolm, tho Hon. G. W. Russell said he would gladly consider the question of affording recognition to the voluntary workers in the recent epidemic. What form that recognition should take ho was not yet able to say. Replying to Mr Pearce, Mr Massey said he did not know whether it was possible to get a resolution of Parliament agreed to respecting the retention of the Pacific Islands, but'lio thought it should be done. So far as the ex-Kaiser was concerned, he agreed that the ex-Kaiser should bo punished and made responsible for his crimes. If a war indemnity was available, lie presumed that New Zealand would get its share. These and other matters, including the repatriation of interned enemv aliens, would be brought up for consideration by Cabinet. Tho Hon. G. W. Russell introduced notice tho War Funds Amendment Bill, which was read a first time. Replying to Mr Craigie, Mr Massey said he hoped that the Minister of Finance and himself would leavo for England bofore the end of next week. He did not know what steamer they would travel by, but arrangements were being made by the Imperial authorities. Replying to Mr Nosworthy, the Hon. G. W. Russell said he was making full inquiry as to the state of the influenza epidemic at the Chatham Islands. All necessary, steps woidd be taken if assistance was required. The House rose at 1 o'clock.