PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16267, 28 June 1916, Page 8

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF* REPRESENTATIVES, PRESENTATION OP REPORTS, x r ' ;,' ■' iBT TELEGEATH.— PBESS ASSOCUnok] ~y Wellington-, Tuesday. ~ r '. The House of Representatives met at 2.30. P-ni. *'.J A large number of petitions -were pre- K sented by members on benalf of tie New - Zealand Railways Tradesmen's. Asaociai 1 tion, praying for official recognition. "V^ ■Replying to Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, the Prime Minister said he had not seen any 15 reference in the public press to a proGerman demonstration in Taranaki by-%5 people of Swiss nationality.. He, however, v had heard of it privately, and he had ' inquiry made by the police. Mr. R. A. "Wright asked if there was a wet canteen in the camp at Samoa. The Minister for* Defence replied that there had been one, but it was dosed some time ago. The Postmaster-General laid on the table the report of the Post and Telegraph Department. <. *_ Mr. C. H. Poole (Auckland West) asked if the Minister would give more publicity, to the fact that newspapers cannot be posted direct to soldiers, as hundreds of ' pounds were being wasted on postage. Mr. G. V. Pearce (Patea) urged that .... the rate on telegrams be increased to 9d : s for 12 words. He understood there, was a loss on every message sent. ' .^ Sir Joseph Ward, in reply, said he J ■■■-, would give further publicity to the posi- j tion regarding newspapers sent to soldiers, -; although he had already done so. Ha said he could not see his way to increase i the' cost of telegrams. The Prime Minister laid on the table the report of the Labour Department. Mr. T. M. Wflford (Hurt) denounced ; the action of the Department in prosecuting the secretary of the Petone Woollen Workers' Union lor the part he had played in the recent strike. Mr. W. A. Veitch deplored the fact that no effort had been made to seriously tackle the questions of the cost of living. Mr. P. C. Webb (Wanganui) advocated the establishment of a State ? supply of bread. ~~ The Prime Minister, replying, said it was the duty of the Labour Department to administer the law as it found it. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. The Land and Income Tax Bill was introduced in the evening, and the second reading debate was taken. The second reading was carried on tha voices. The House rose at 11.45 p.m.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. MILITARY SERVICE BILL. [BY TELEGBAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATIOK.T Wellington", Tuesday. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m.. The Military Service Board was considered in Committee, progress being re« ported. ✓ ■ ' * The Council rose at 4.45 p.m.