YESTERDAY'S PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 18331, 19 July 1923, Page 10

YESTERDAY'S PARLIAMENT

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. Tilo Baptist Union Incorporation Bill and the Captive Birds Shooting Prohibition Bill wore'read a first time. The Samoa Amendment Bill was put through committee without amendment, and road a third time and passed. _ The Council rose at 2.40 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. on Friday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Replying to Mr Jordan, the Hon. G. J, Anderson said tho coal shortage in the dominion was duo to short supplies coming from Australia. Tho Mines Department was, however, doing its best to meet tho peculiar circumstances, and would see as far as possible that the coal available was equitably distributed over the various parts ot tho dominion. In reply to questions, Ministers gave the following answers:— That tho banks are, well forward with a scheme in the interests of public health for the issue of ten-shilling and one-pound notes of similar size respectively, and, so far ns possible, only clean notes will bo in circulation.

Tlirt (be Government lias no intention of asking Parliament for any reduction in tho wages and salaries of State employees, either before or after tho proposed redaction in the land and income tax.

That there is no intention of discontinuing tho publication of the ‘ .Agricultural ''Journal,* which is serving a very useful purposo. That Ihe Public Works Department is at present considering the question of issuing dominion licenses, as against local licenses, for electrical wiremeu. That the provision ot free school hooks to school children would involve so large an expenditure that tho Government! could not undertake it at present. That the question of amending hospital subsidies so that the average subsidy will not bo less than £1 for £1 is now under the consideration of the Government. That, in connection with Ndw Zealand Breweries, Ltd., an assessment of duty will bo made by the officers of the Stamp Duties Department in accordance with the law, and a full investigation of the transactions will be made when assessing tho dutv.

'iho Bent I’cstricfion Continuance Bill was introduced by the lion. G. J. Anderson. ;md read a first time.

Tin; . remain dor of the afternoon sitting ■was taken up with a discussion on the report of tho Agricultural Department, a number of speakers strongly appealing to the Government tinier the abnormal seatonal conditions to offer a liberal inducement to farmers to grow wheat. Jn the evening tho Justices of the Pence Amendment Bill was introduced by Mr T. .M U’iitVrd. and was put through, the committee stage without arnendniciit, read a third time, and passed. The House rose at 11.10 p.m