PARLIAMENT.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IV, Issue 239, 23 September 1914, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, Sept. 22. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.

In reply to Air Harris, the Premier said he had not heard that the liquor party was circulating mock ballot papers through some of the concentration camps. If it was being done it was a most improper thing. In reply to Air Anderson, Air. Massey said ' the Government was negotiating for the supply of sufficient vessels to carry on the overseas trade. In reply to Sir Joseph AVard, Air. Fraser said he would circulate the Bill prepared in accordance with the recommendations of the Alines Commission.

In reply to Air. Reed, Air. Alassey said every Native district would send a quota with the Expeditionary Force in accordance with its population.

The Premier intimated that the official send-off of the troops would take place on Thursday next, and he proposed to ask Parliament to adjourn on that occasion. The motion that Wednesdays b” taken for Government business was carried. WAR RISKS INSURANCE BILL. Air. Herdman moved the second reading of the War Risks insurance j fill. »ir Joseph Ward said the Government did not know what the position was in connection with war risk. Air. Poland complained that the mining companies were seriously handicapped by the prohibition oi gold export. Aly Aiyers welcomed the Bill as useful protection to small shippersAir. Russell said the Bill was only another illustration of the incompetency of the Government to deai with a large question when it arose. The proposal was absolutely ludicrous. The Government should have made an effort to become the agent oi' the Imperial authorities in this Dominion.

Mr. Herdman, in reply, said he speech just made by the member for Avon was one of the most bitter, •vindictive and malevolent he had ever heard. It was his personal opinion that in the innermost recesses of his heart the member for Avon would rather see Europe overrun by Germans than that the Government should remain in office. Mr. Russell moved that those words, be taken down. The Premier, who hurriedly came into the House, said the words had not been ruled out of order by the Speaker, ana he could do no more than move that no further action be taken. Air. Russell said the words were amongst the most blackguardly-—— Here he was called to order and withdrew the words. Continuing, Air. Russell said the aspersion was a foul one to east upon his loyally and therefore a grave. r< lier-tion upon him and his children. He would be satisfied with nothing Jess than 4be withdrawal of the words. Mr. Aiyers urged that the words should Le withdrawn by the Minister and the incident allowed to close. Air. Forbes remarked that it. ill became the Premier to sit and smile while a member of his Government used such unwarranted language towards a member of the House. Air. Em’dc. was proceeding to. address the House in a similar strain when the House rose for (he dinner adjournment. On the House resuming at 7.30, Mr. Massey again pointed out that there would be ample export facili ties to December 31 st. He had advice from London that there would be sufficient shins to carry our produce up to Christmas. He also suggested that the press should make no reference to the movements of the Expeditionary Force. He honed members of the House would also observe this rule. Touching on the quarrel in the afternoon, he suggested that both members withdraw what they had said. Sir Joseph Ward agreed that it would be wise for the AttorneyGeneral to withdraw what he had said. Air. Herdman then withdrew the words he, had used. Air. Russell freely and willingly accepted the honourable and manly withdrawal of the words. The incident then closed.

Sir Joseph Ward asked for train arrangements to be made for country people to attend the farewell of the troops. Mr. Massey, in reply, said that the Railway Department- appeared to want two days’ notice, but he would place the matter before the Minister of Railways. The War Risks Bill was then react the second time. As a matter of urgency the Bill was put through Committee without amendment, read the third time and passed. NATIONAL PROVIDENT FUND. The National Provident Fund Amendment Bill was taken in Committee. In the course of a discussion. Mr. McCombs said the Bill seriously xyanted re-casting. Mr. Veitch also took exception to the provisions of the Bill as applied to workers. In reply, the Minister said that the machinery of the Bill made the course to be pursued quite plain, but there were necessarily differences of individual cases amongst local bodies. At 10.40 the Bill passed its Committee stage with machinery amendments moved by the Minister. OTHER BILLS. The House then went into Committee on the Fire Brigades Amendment Bill, which passed without material amendment. The Hon. J. Allen announced that Mr. Hunter’s Gaming Amendment Bill and Mr. Wilford’s Factories' Act Amendment Bill would, according to promise, be given preference to morrow. The House adjourned at 10.50.