PARLIAMENT.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IV, Issue 227, 9 September 1914, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. [PER PIIW IHROCTATICV 1 Wellington, Sept. 8. The Council met at 2.30. •Tlie Presbyterian Church Property, Al ethodist Charitable and Educational Trusts, and River Boards Amendment Bills were read the third time and passed. The Whangarei Harbour Board Bill was read the second time. The Council adjourned at 2.50 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 7 30. In reply to Mr. Witty, the Postmaster General said it was not wise to make known what arrangements the Government was making for the transmission of business and press cables in view of the cutting of the Pacific cable. In reply to Mr. Russell the. Premier sa : d the alleged shortage of food in the Tongan group of islands had been brought under the notice of the Government, and was not being lost sight of. , In reply to Mr. Payne, the Hon. James Allen said it was practically impossible to raise loans in London. He ’therefore had to ask the people to be moderate in their demands on the Advances to Settlers Office. Fortunatelv the finances were strong. He was able to meet all engagements, and he could see his way to carry on local requirements un to the end of the financial year without going on the London market. The River Boards Amendment Bill was received from the Legislative Council and read the first time. ESTIMATES.

The House then proceeded to the further consideration of the Estimates. The item of £16.246 for the Government Printing Department was passed after a brief discussion. At'this stage Air. Alassey announced that the latest information received regarding the war indicated that the Allied forces had driven back the Germans. He hoped it meant that the tide had turned and would continue to flow- in that direction until it had reached Berlin. Just before the supner adjournment Mental Hospitals, £118,413, was passed. r The Tourist Department. £51.585, passed after comparatively little discussion. , The Public Service Commissioners vote, £7120 was hotly contested on the ground of partiality in the, matter of allocating advertisements. Eventually the vote passed. The vote, £5908. for the admims tvation of Cook Islands, was held over. The vote for miscellaneous services. amounting to £42.463, passed. The Customs offices and services vote, amounting to £63.063, passed. The House rose at 1.5 a.m.