GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAMME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16268, 29 June 1916, Page 8

GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAMME

BUSINESS FOR THE HOUSE. STATEMENT BY MR. MASSEY. IbY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.I Wellington, Wednesday. In the House of Representatives this afternoon, Mr. G. Witty (Riccarton) asked the Prime Minister to say whether the business on the Order Paper represented the business to come before the House, or if there were other Bills to come down. The Right Hon. W. F. Massey said there were a number of Bills to come down yet. Mr. W. A. Veitch (Wanganui) asked whether the Government proposed to give private members 'facilities for passing their Bills after the Government Bills had been dealt with. Mr. H. G. Ell (Christchurch South) asked what the Government proposed to do about the Daylight Saving Bill. The Prime Minister: That is a private member's Bill.

Mr. Ell said he knew that, but at a time like this it should be a Government measure. This was a time when we should exercise economy. It was well known that there was a great shortage of coal in the Dominion, and anything that would economise heat and light should bo encouraged.

Mr. H. Poland (Ohinemuri) asked if the Government proposed to do anything this session in the matter of separation allowances for the wives and children of soldiers at the front.

Mr. P. C. Webb objected to the attempt to close the business of the House before a practical attempt had been made to deal with the cost of living. Mr. J. Payne (Grey Lynn) wanted to know what the Government intended to do about " the list of little Bills" he had introduced.

The Prime Minister, replying, said he would take the less important measures on Monday nights, so as not to interfere with the movements of members. The Government Bills on the Order Paper would be gone on with. There was the Finance Bill yet to be introduced. There would also be a " Washing-up " Bill and another, the title of which had not yet been decided on, in which a great variety of matters would be dealt with. Then there was the Public Works Statement and Estimates, the Appropriation Bill and Supplementary Estimates. After that a number of small Bills urgently required would Be submitted. Replying to an interjection by Mr. Wilford, Mr. Massey said the cost of living would be dealt with later on. The short" age of coal was largely due to the demands made for transports and for Admiralty use. The difficulty in getting it from Newcastle was the shortage of shipping, but this difficulty was now being overcome' and he could assure the House that the Government was making every effort to get coal.