GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17726, 10 September 1919, Page 5

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (Abridged from Press Association telegram.) WELLINGTON, September 9. Tho Council inet at 2.30 p.m. Tho Address-in-Reply debate was continued by tiie Hon. Mr GEDDIS, who complained that land aggregation was being allowed, and that the • Government was lorcing up land value? by purchasing already settled areas when it had huge areaa of Crown land available. Hβ urged the Government to institute a progressive immigration policy and to give a Toad in tho matter of State-owned ships. The Hon. Mr THOMSON urged the Government to consider the advisability of securing railway locomotives or remodelling the existing engines to burn local lignitesN Hq expressed the hope that tho Government would encourage the fishing industry and establish an export trade. The .Hon. Mr FLEMING defended the government against the charges of permittmg land aggregation. He urged greater production and the training of soldiers before they took \ip land, and he condemned the restriction of prices for farmers' products when the farmers were not safsguarded in regard to the prices of articles they .were compelled to purchase to enable them, to carrv on. Tho Hon. Mr EARNSHAW said there was a. stam upon Great Britain, France, and Italy for their attitude regarding the rights of China. He referred to Japan's actions in the war as being purely for her own advancement. Sir FRANCIS BELL: Please remember that you are sp?aking of an ally Mr EARNSHAW repeated the statement, adding that he was within his rights in commenting on the matter. He then went on to refer to industrial matters, condemning the extremists among 'the Labour leaders. The Council adjourned at 9JO pjn. until to-morrow. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The House met at 2.30 p.m. PETROL RAILWAY OARS. In replying to Mr Myers, the PRIMS MINISTER said that if the petrol car servie on the Wellington suburban railways proved a success similar cars would bo introduced on the suburban railways in other centres. THE CUSTOMS TARIFF. , *£ raying to Dγ Newman, the PRIME MINISTER said it would bo impossible to revise the Customs tariff this year. Some minor amendments might be made, probably through an Appropriation Act INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM. In asking laavo to introduce the Popular Initiative and Referendum Bill, Mr ■ M'COMBS said tho Bill was intended to give the people of the country a larger share in self-governnrent, which at present was completely dominated by the Cabinet system. The principle of the Bill was supported by Mr Downie Stewart, Sir John Rndlay, tho Hon. Mr Hanan, and Mr Poole, and ' , was opposed by Mr Payne, who said "the* referendum was in theory beautiful, bmV< in practice .idiotic. The Bill was introduced and read a first time. LEGISLATURE BILL. On the motion of Mr M'COMBS the Legislature Act Amendment Bill was introduced, and read a first time. The Bill provides for tie admission of women to Parliament and for the election of the House of Representatives by proportional representation. OTHER BILLS. The following Bills were also introduced and read a first time:—Wellington City Abattoir Charges and Renewal Fund BiU , (Mr Luke) and Patea Harbour Act Amendment Bill (Mr Pearce). ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. Ministers then gave the following answers to questions: That if time allows an opportunity will be given to members to discuss the timber regulations during the present session That it 13 not proposed to introduce legislation dealing with^ proportional represen- • tation during tho present ssssion. Parlia- . ment may, however, be asked to deal with some amendments of the electoral law. That legislation dealing with the cost of living, profiteering, ana exploitation haa already been prepared, and will be placed before the House shortly. That the question of setting up a Royal Commission to investigate tie management of tho war funds is now under consideration. x That a scheme is about to be launched which,_ it is hoped, -will ensure the pnblio obtaining boots of good quality at a reasonable price. That it is not possible while the present unsettled conditions in regard to the coal supply continue to make any definite statement as to the date when the will be enabled to resume the normal railway services. That the railwaymen are being paid at rate and a-quarter for all work performed between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., and it is not proposed further to increase the department's liability under this head. That Private Nimot had not up to "the date of the latest, advice been repatriated to England, though the War Office has agreed to repatriate him as soon as possible. It is presumed, in the absence of definite information, that he is still in Ger- ■ many. On repatriation he will bo tried by ! court-martial. So far as military defaulters and shirkers are concerned, while orders have been given for the release of all those who were classified as bona fide religious objectors by a special board and those who were serving a second or third sentenco for offences under tho Military Service Act, the Government does not at present intend to remit the sentences of those who refused service for other reasons or to cease'the prosecution of those who have so far evaded arrest. That the Public Works Department will: be prepared to consider on its merits every application for assistance towards the repair ' of roads damaged by heavy motor traffio caused by tho railway cut. That jt is hardly prob'ab!e that the Otira tunnel will be completed within two years. That the question of the complete nationalisation of the coal mines is under coa-' sidoration by tho Government. '. PUBLIC SERVICE .•OOMinSSIO'NER'S REPORT. Mr MASSEY laid on tho table the wport of tho Public Service Commissioner. In reply to a iriiestion by Mr Wilford m that, connection, the PRIME MINISTER said ho was not prepared to eay en the spur of tho moment whether the Public Son ice Commissioner would be continued in office. He would first require, to consult bis colleagues on the subject. INDUSTRIES. TRADE. AND COMMERCE BILL. The Industries. Trade, and Commerce Bill was introduced by Governor's Messa^o "Mr MASSEY explained that this Bill was, with a slvsht alteration, the Board of Trade Bill introduced by the Hon. Mr Mac Donald. Thoro was a generally expressed wish that the Government should take that l;:il up and he gladlv did so. Ho hoped n>embera would assisi him in making it a thoroughly effective measure. The Bill was road a first timo INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE'S REPORT Mr MASSEY intimated that he proposed to take tho discussion on tho JnvtuVtries , Committee's report on Thursday. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS DISCUSSED. Tho House then proceeded to diecuss the answers given to questions by Ministers. •