PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16020, 11 September 1915, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

CONSIDERATION OF ESTIMATES.

[BY TELECBAPH. —FBESS ASSOCIATION.) Wellington, Friday. [tie House met at 2-30 p.m. In reply to Mr. McCombs, the Prime Minister said he could not express any : jpinion on the question of closing hotel j jars at six o'clock until the close of the ! war. There were petitions on this sub- I ject before the Petitions Committees, and ■ 30 could not very well discuss the matter i until the committee had reported. I The Prime Minister pave notice that' next sitting day he would introduce the . Alien Enemy Teachers Bill. j The Public Petitions Committee reported i that the petition of Mrs. Garlick for com-1 pensation owing to the death of her late i husband, Mr. Royd Garlick, Director of j Physical Instruction, be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. The chairman of the committee intimated ! that the committee had expressed the hope ' that, if any compensation was paid, it ' would be in such a way that- the money I would not be attachable in payment of, the debts of the estate. j The chairman of the Labour Bills Com- j mittee reported that the Factory Act Amendment Bill, providing for a 45 hours' ; week for women workers in woollen fac- i tories, introduced by Mr. Wilford, be al- i lowed to proceed. j Mr. Wilford explained that a compromise | had been arrived at under which the Bill, if passed, would not come into force until I six months after the declaration of peace. The report was adoptedThe Papakura Beach Vesting Bill (the Right Hon. Mr. Massey) and the Wellington and Karori Sanitation and Water Supply Amendment Bill (Mr. Wright) were read a. second time without discussion. The Wellington City Empowering Act, 1908, Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. The Christchurch Electrical Supply Empowering Amendment Bill (Mr- Isitt). the Wyndham Reserve Amendment Bill (Mr. Anderson), and Tokomaru Bay Harbour Bill (the Hon. W. D. S. McDonald) were read a second time. The House then went into Committee of Supply to consider the Estimates, the Legislature Department being the first taken, and the amount of £37,323 passed. The Finance Department (£165,492) was also passed. When the House resumed at 7.30 p.m., a general discussion took place on the Post and Telegraph Department, in which many members urged a wider extension of the slot telephone system. Sir Joseph Ward said" the extensions of this Department were provided for out of loan, and until he knew what money was available, he could not say how much he could do. It was all a matter of money. Each telephone cost £65, but he would go into the whole question after the session, and see how far in this respect the Department could go. The vote for £1,294.504 was passed at 9.25 p.m. The vote of £2,920,000 for railways was under consideration at the supper adjournment. In reply to Mr. Witty, tie Hon. W. H. Herries stated that all the ten American engines ordered by the Department came out, and had been running for some time. They were giving the greatest satisfaction to both the Department and to the men who are working them. In reply to other members, the Minister said he proposed to revise the tariff as soon as possible, but he did not think it wise to do so while the additional rates were being imposed for war purposes. The Minister explained in reply to Mr. Anstey that Mr. Hiley was still General Manager of Railways and had not been transferred to the Defence Department. He; had been asked to undertake certain duties at Trentham camp because he was well known for his "hustling" qualities, and great improvements had been made at the camp as the result of his efforts. His connection with the camp was, however, only temporary, and did not occupv more than one day per week. He had no connection .with the Defence Department. The vote was passed. The class public buildings, domains, and maintenance of roads, £123,750, was passed without discussion, as was also the vote for the Native Department, £25.563. The House rose at 12.10 a.m.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. [BY TELEGRAPH. ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Friday. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. Leave of absence for the remainder of the session -was granted t&e Hon. J. Duthie, on account of illness. The Council adjourned at 2.55 p.m. until Wednesday next.