PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15686, 13 August 1914, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. MORTGAGE EXTENSION BILL. FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS. 1 [BY telegraph.—press association.] Wellington, Wednesday. Tiik House of Representatives met at 7.30 p.m. In reply to a question, Mr. G. M. Thomson, chairman of the Education Committee, stated that so far as ho knew it was the intention of the Education Committee to continue the taking of evidence on the petitions concerning the Bible in Schools Bill as soon as the committee had completed its consideration of the Education Bill. Mr. Massoy staled that he had raided the Dominion's condolences with President Wilson upon the death of Mrs. Wilson, and that ho had congratulated Lord Islington upon his appointment, as Under-Secre-tary lor the Colonies, Hie Hon. A. L. Herdman moved that tho amendments mado by the Legislative, Council in the Mortgages Extension Bill bo agreed to. Or. A. K. Newman (Wellington Suburbs) said lie had been advised by competent authorities that if the Bill' passed no moneys would bo lent out of trust funds, as tho .securities would not be good enough. The measure was too drastic, and he suggested thatjwhile Hie Bill might bo passed, it .should be brought into operation only by Order-in-Comieil, if tho Minister saw the necessity for it. In reply, Mr. Herdman aid that mortgagees would not suffer by the Bili, as they would have tho best of 'securities to pick from. 1 lie motion was carried. The Hon. James Allen moved the second reading of the Public Revenues Bill. Tho Hon. W. Eraser mentioned that there was no intention on the part of the Public Works Department to discharge one man. He would do his utmost to provide employment and he had no doubt as to the •money being provided to carry on a normal public, works policy. Replying to a suggestion, Mr. Allen said he had no intention at present of adopting any such drastic step as expanding tho bank note issue. He thought that 'there was ample currency in the country without taking such a step. Tim House then went into Committee on the Bill, which was reported with amendments. On the third reading Sir Joseph Ward said that the necessity for placing the Government in a sound financial position overrode c ything else. That wae his reason for supporting the Bill, Tho Bill was then read a third time and passed. The House rose at 11.23 p.m. It • will sit again at 7.30 on Thursday. . LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. [BT TELEGRAftI.—PRESS ASSOCIATION] Wellington. Wednesday. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Local Elections and Polls Amendment Bill, the Civil Service Officers' Guarantee Amendment Bill, and the Immigration Restriction Amendment Bill were read a first time and the second readings were fixed for to-morrow. The Methodist Church Charitable and Education Bill and Presbyterian Church Property Bill were read a second time. Somo discussion took place on tho report of the Lands Committee, the Hon. G. Jones moving to amend The present method of cancelling tho reservation of national reserves so that more ample consideration would be given to such proposals. The motion was carried. Tho debate upon the report of the Literary Committee was adjourned. Tho Master and Apprentices Amendment Bill was referred back to the Labour Bills Committee for amendment. The Fruit Preserving Industry Bill was put through its Committee stage without amendment and passed- ' The Imprisonment for Debt Limitation, Bill was read a second time and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. * The Council adjourned at 3.35 p.m.