PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16595, 19 July 1917, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

DEBATE CONTINUED.

HOME-GROWN WHEAT

SUGGESTION BY MINISTER.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION".]

WELLINGTON. Wednesday. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. The afternoon sitting was taken up by members discussing Ministers' replies to questions answered two weeks ago. Replying to questions to-day, Ministers said that arrangement* were being made by the Imperial Government for an exhaustive report on the mineral resources of every part of the Empire, and an organisation had already been set up with that object in view; that the report of the National Efficiency Board on the essential industries of "the Dominion would be laid before Parliament as soon as Cabinet had considered it; and that it was proposed to introduce legislation this session extending the censorship to picture shows, posters, and advertisements- After the dinner adjournment the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald continued the debate on the Address-in-Reply. Speaking of Imperial questions, he said he felt confident that the House was unanimous in thinking that the attitude adopted bv Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward in Britain was the correct attitude. He strongly deprecated the cry for the reduction of reinforcements, which he characterised as equivalent to hoisting the white flag. The shipping question required most careful watching at the present juncture, for large combines were not always what they appeared to be, and he thought that public opinion was rapidly swinging in the direction that direct State action must soon be applied as nothing was so important to the Dominion as the prompt and regular despatch of products. Speaking of wheat' production he was of opinion that the Government should be compelled to give more generous support to wheat-growers. In Australia, though a great wheat-producing country, the climate was uncertain and harvests could not be depended on. Therefore it would be better to pay a little more and be certain of the Dominion growing sufficient wheat for its own requirements. This was especially important in view of the limitations of transport. Mr. H. Poland (Ohinemuri) advocated better payment for soldiers at the front, contending that side by side with the conscription of men there ought to be conscription of wealth. The excess profits tax only touched the fringe of the matter. The Government was not even just, much less generous, to the men at the front and their dependants at home. The man power of the Dominion had not been organised, and the result was chaos. Young farmers were beine given exemption from service because of being engaged in an essential industry, and no steDs were taken by the Government to renlace them, and let them go to the front, while other people's sons were forced to <*o. He contended that too many reinforcements had been sent. Mr. G. V. Pearce (Patea) declared that Che butter-fat levy simply meant that money was being taken from the makers of cheese to pay to the makers of butter-Mr-J. McC. Dickson (Chalmers) dealt with the treatment of returned soldiers and taxation on similar lines to the: majority of the previous speakers, and: i the House adjourned at 11.15 p.m. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. [BY TELEGRAPH.PRES3 ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The Legislative Council met this afterj noon. Colonel Collins was granted leave i of absence for the remainder of the session. i A motion was passed expressing regret .at the retirement of Sir Henry Miller after 50 years as councillor. Sir Francis Bell stated that Sir Henry Miller previously occupied the Speaker's chair. The Council then adjourned until Wednesday.