PARLIAMENT.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IV, Issue 203, 12 August 1914, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

I PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. J

Wellington, Aug. 11 The House met at 2.30.

In reply to Mr. Hunter, the Post-master-General stated that he had asked postmasters and post mistresses in charge of offices w-hich close at 5 o’clock if they would voluntarily open the offices from 7 to 7.30’ for the transmission of war news. He could not instruct them to keep open, but he felt certain there would be a ready response to the appeal he had made. In repely to Mr. Buddo, the Pre mier stated that the Government was doing its best to supply the country districts with war news. In reply to Mr .Buddo. the Pre!* ter of Defence said the department would make arrangements for the payment of contingenters’ wages to their w-ives if instructions to that effect are left w-ith the department.

The Postmaster-General stated that the deposits in the Post Office Savings Bank exceeded the withdrawals during the last few divs, proving that the slight run which had taken place had come to an end. Sir Joseph Ward said the people should be made fully aware of the fact that the country was behind the Post Office Savings Bank. Nothing in the world was safer than the deposits in the Post Office Savings Bank. The Public Schemes Amendment Bill w-as brought down by Governor’s Message. Sir Joseph Ward said it was a matter for regret that he had not been apprised of the Bill, especially when the Opposition w-as prepared to pass the measure. In any case the Government was following a different course from that in any other country. Mr. Allen said he had not followed what was being done by other Governments, but if it was put that the House would not have time to digest the Bill he would be pleased to postpone, consideration of it to any ; other day. He had no wish to hurry the. measure through. He was sorry if Sir Joseph Ward thought he ought to be consulted, but it had not occur red to either the Premier or him self. Mr. Massey said he was sorry he was not in the House when the Leader of the Opposition mentioned the matter. He had no intention whatever of showing discourtesy. They would not go ofi with the Bill that day, but he knew of no case where it was necessary to inform the Opposition of a Bill brought down by Governor’s Message. Mr. Massey said he did not propose for the pre sent to sit in the afternoons, so that Committee work would proceed. Ministers were working at high pressure, and he had intended to see Sir Joseph Ward that morning, but had no time to do so. He proposed to proceed with the Bill at 7.30 tomorrow.

Sir Joseph Ward reiterated that he had raised the question from no party spirit. He wished to make it plain that so long as the state of war lasted he would have no pai-ty inside or outside the House. The House then went into Com mittee on the Local Elections (Proportional Representation) Bill.

In reply to Mr. Wilford, the Minister wished to state that the Bill was purely optional. It could be brought into operation by a special order. The Bill was reported without amendment. The Civil Service Officers’ Guar antee Repeal Bill and the Immigration Restriction Amendment Bill also passed through Committee without amenedinent. The three. Bills were then read the third time and passed. The House rose at 4.10 till 7.30 to morrow. '