THE HOUSE.

Northern Advocate, 6 December 1918, Page 2

THE HOUSE.

, The House met at noon. } THE EPIDEMIC. The Hon. G. W. Russell said that until Government knew what the recent epidemic was going to cost it was impossible to formulate a scheme of subsidies on local expenditure. Government, however, would carry out its contract and pay all the expenses of the emergency hospital boards and meet any of their responsibility.

Supplementary of 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.

NO LICENSE AREAS. Mr McCallum gave notice of his intention to ask the Premier what steps Government proposed to take in the matter of granting , compensation provisions to licensees in. the twelve electoral districts hi which no-license had already been carried. PUBLIC HEALTH MATTERS. Replying to Mr J. C. Parr the Hon. G. W. Russell said he had noticed that for several days Public Health matters in Auckland had not been entirely satisfactory and Dr. Valintine was proceeding there to-day to take matters into his own hands. He as Minister would act on Dr. Valintinc's advice in any future steps he might take, even to the extent of cancelling the quarantine of the Makura. Replying to Mr Malcolm the Hon. G. W. Russell said he would gladly consider the question of affording recognition to voluntary workers in the recent epidemic. What form that recognition should take he whs not yet able to say. THE PACIFIC.

Replying to Mr Pearce Mr Massey said he did not know whether it would be possible to get a resolution of Parliament agreed to respecting the retention of the Pacific Islands, but he thought it should be done. THE KAISER. As far as the Kaiser was concerned he agreed that the Kaiser should be punished and made responsible for his ci'imes. If a war indemnity were available he presumed New Zealand would get a share. These and other matters, including the repatriation of interned enemy aliens, would be brought up for consideration by Cabinet. WAR FUNDS. The Hon. G. W. Russell introduced, without notice, the War Funds Amendment Bill which was read a first time. NEXT WEEK. Replying to Mr Craigie Mr Massey said he hoped the Minister of Finance and himself would leave for England before the ■ end of next week. He i did not know by what steamer they would travel, 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 epidemic at the Chatham Islands and all necessary steps would be taken to give the assistance required. The House rose at one o'clock.— Press Assn.