PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16300, 5 August 1916, Page 8

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MEASURES PASSED.

[BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON. Friday. The House of Representatives met at 2.50 p.m.

The Prime Minister gave notice of his intention to introduce a Factory Act Amendment Bill. It was a Bill of one clause, dealing with the heating of factories, to which, he understood, there was no opposition.

The Minister for Railways laid on the table a Departmental report en the condition of the railway rolling stock. He claimed that the report completely refuted statements made by Mr. Wilford some weeks ago.

Mr. W. A. Veitch (Wanganui) said that remark only went to show what simple faith the Minister had in official reports. He criticised details of the document, contending that the facts showed I that the general manager was not main- I taining rolling stock in a high state of j efficiency, as was the case before his ap- j pointment. The condition of the rolling stock was fit subject for the fullest inquiry. Mr. T. M. Wilford (Hutt) said he was not satisfied with the reply. Nothing less than an independent report from a man of high standing would satisfy Parliament. The Minister, in reply, said evidently the critics of the Department wanted a report declaring the rolling stock to be inefficient, and they would not be satisfied till they got it. He could assure any unprejudiced person that there was no cause to be alarmed. If considered necessary, he would have no objection to getting a report from an outside expert during the recess.

Amendments made by the Legislative Council in the "Washing Up" and War Regulations Bills were agreed to. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Several local Bills were passed through all stages, including the Gisborne Borough Gas Bill (Hon. W. D- S. Mac Donald), Auckland City Parks Improvement and Empowering Bill (Hon. A- M. Myers). Whakatane Harbour Amendment Bill (Hon. W. D. S. MacDona.dV The Prime Minister moved the second reading of the Parliamentary Elections Postponement Bill. The second reading was carried by 41 votes to 16, and the Bill was read the third time and passed. The House rose at 1 a.m.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

BILLS THROUGH FINAL STAGES.

[BT TELEGRAPH. —rRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON. Friday.

The''Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Native Land Claims and Adjustment Bill, Orchard Tax Bill, and War Legislation Act Amendment Bill were read the first time.

The Reserves and Other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies' Empowering Bill was further considered in Committee. Clause 34, dealing with the Auckland University site, was struck out, and two minor amendments were made. The Bill passed the final stages.

The Orchard Tax Bill was read the second time.

Sir Francis Bell moved the second reading of the War Legislation Amendment Bill, and outlined the provisions of the various clauses. The motion was agreed to.

In Committee on the Orchard Tax Bill, Sir Walter Buchanan wished to add a provision providing for notification of the tax, but was ruled out of order, on the ground that the Council could notamend the Bill. The Bill was reported without amendment.

The War Legislation Amendment Bill was next considered in Committee. In clause 19, subsection 3, limiting the operation of the clause increasing the powers of dairy companies to the duration of the war period, was struck out. The Bill, as amended, was reported from Committee. The Native Land Amendment and Native Land Claims Adjustment Bill was put through Committee without amendment.

All these Bills were reported and put through the final stages. The Council adjourned at half-past four until eight o'clock, and on resuming immediately adjourned till 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.