PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18075, 25 October 1920, Page 6

PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS

WELLINGTON, Octobor 20. (Fbom Ouk Own Cokbespondent.) PIIICE OJT SUGAR. Air Bartram (Grey Lynn) complained in the Rouso of itepresentatives that small traders were being required to pay at the rate of about £51 per ton for sugar because they wore not allowed to take halfton lots under the Government scheme of distribution, while larger trailers paid onlv £47 per ton. The smoll men were willing and able to buy in larger quantities if they were allowed to do so. The President of the Board of Trade (Mr Lee) promised to make inquiries on the point. PUBLISHING SEDITIOUS MATTER. The Leader of the Labour Party (Mr H. E. Holland) asked a question in the House of Representatives to-day regarding the fining ot the Labour Party's newspaper, the Grey River Argus, for publishing seditious matter. He said that the article on which the prosecution had been based had stated that the "capitalist classes" would not tamely submit to being legislated out of existence, and had concluded with the words:—"There is only one way for the workers to get possession of tho means of production and distribution,* and that is to take it." Mr Holland said ho wished to call the attention of tho Prime Minister to a letter that had appeared in the columns of the Dominion newspaper. This letter had contained a threat of personal violence against certain people. The letter, in discussing industrial matters, had said that trouble must come and come quickly, and had added: "Plainly, then, if it means war—bloody war—let us have it. Let us get into it." Would the Prime Minister, added Mr Holland, give instructions that the law in regard to seditious publications was to be enforced impartially, and without discrimination, and that the Labour press was not to be singled out for pursuit? Mr Massey: If newspapers will publish seditious articles, or leading articles, a s * that for which the editor of the Grey River Argua was fined, they must take the consequences of their actions. If any other newspaper breaks the law in the same way, f don t care what the newspaper is, or what its politics are, let it be punished in the same manner. Mr Holland; Why have you not moved against the other paper? Mr Massey: I am not sure that the other paper has committed an offence. That is for the Crown Law officers to determine, ine police deal with this sort of thing. If they see anything that appears to be seditious they draw the attention of the Crown Law officers to it. Mr Holland said that the Government kept a ji 6o !. watch on the Labour publications. Mr Massey retorted that if this were not necessary it would not be done. WELLINGTON. October 21. RETAILERS AND BUTTER. Mr Sullivan 10-uay stated tiiat retailers of L>uUer in Uuristciiuith ware ctuugnjg Zs 4d per lb retail, beoause they were dissatisfied w;tn the margin ox 2d. allowed them, lliey were evading tne law by giving a coupon, lie asked tne -Prime Minister aoout it, ana . wiiether the Government would consider giving an additional allowance out of tho •uonsoiidated- Fund. Mr iYlassey re-plied that the Government would not do this. Tho Government had gone as far as it could possibly go in giving a subsidy at the rate of £600,000 per annum Hie had not beard about the retailers exceeding the price fixed. If they were doing so it was unlawful The grocers had already handled butter at a difference of 2d a lb and if that was reasonable before it should ■be reasonable now, though the price had been raised. They were still handling only pounds of butter.

Mr Masters, who is a storekeeper said it was a reasonable amount too. Mr Massey said ho would advise the retailers to comply with the law. Mr Frasar (a La/hour member) said the j was quite enough. Many grocers would' admit tliat. EXPORT OP POTATOES. Mr Craigie asked what was the position in regard to slup,ping potatoes to Australia. Air Nosworthy said the Prime Minister had again telegraphed to Mr Hughes asking for an early answer. Tho Government had done everything .possible to facilitate the removal of the embargo; THE RAILWAYS BILL. The Minister oi Railways was asked this afternoon by Mr G. R. Sykes (Masterton) if ho could inform tho House when the Railway Ball containing the schedules and the D 3 classification list would be forthcoming. A good deal of interest was naturally being displayed in the matter. ~ M f T -Wilford (Leader of the OpposiCommittee? referred t0 Railways Mr Maesey, answering the second question, assured the House that the Bill would be referred to the Railways Committee. Ho added that he could not say tho exact day when it would come before the House, but it- must appear very soon, probably next 7 a3 reoeivod from tii© law draughtsman this morning, and went to tho genera] manager. MINERS AT PUKEMIRO: ALLEGED INTIMIDATION. Published statements alleging that certain men had prevented, or persuaded, the miners at Pukemiro from returning to workwhen they were prepared to do so were referred to the notice of the Minister of Labour this afternoon by Mr O. J. Hawken (iiigmont), who asked whether the Government would introduce legislation to prevent that sort of thing, and to make it an ottence to advise, or persuade, a man working as a producer on the land, or in tho mines, to cease production. Sir William Herries said that he had no knowledge of any intimidation, such as appeared to be implied, by the paragraph on which the question was based. He would make inqumes. lie belioved that tho law at present was sufficient to cope with intimidation. In/ any case it was a very diiiicult thing to prove. Mr H- E. Holland (Buller): Why not send the member for Egmont up to find out? Mr P. Fraser (Wellington Cental), following up the last question: Will the Minister also introduce legislation preventing the victimisation of the workers" Sir William Herries: I think that had better go on tho Order Paper.—(Laucrhter ) WELLINGTON, OetobefE' ihe business for Monday night will not be of a contentious nature. There aro two sets of questions to be discussed, and after that one of the less important Bills before tho House, probably the Explosives Bill, will be taken. It is still hoped to finish the session by Saturday week, but any prolonged discussion on one or two subjects would upset present calculations on this subject. It is not at all likely that the Prime Minister will be able to attend the coming Imperial Conference as there will be so many matters requiring his attention in the dominion. After the session he will travel through New Zealand to see as much of the country and the people aa will be possible during the time at his disposal in the recess. It 13 also his intention to pay a visit to Samoa to seo for himself how thin K3 aro going there. During a recent discussion on the Civil List Bill Mr Massey mentioned that Sir William Fraser, who is a member of the Executive, was doing a good deal of work in connection with the govenmwnt of the country, and that it was necessary for tho Leader of the Upper House to have some assistance. He added that this would be more necessary still later on. Mr Massey's reference is understood to refer to the possible absence of Sir Francis Bell during next session or a part of the session. Sir Francis, who has undertaken an enormous amount of work, and who has done it with remarkable ability, will leave for England about April next. There is a possibility that tho discussion on tho question of granting a meat export license to Messrs Armour and Co. will come on again in the House of Representatives. It js. understood that those supporting the petition aro not very anxious to come to a division, seeing that they would probably be beaten by almost three to one. The chances are, therefore, that tho report of tho committee will be again talked out or agreed to on the voices. Whatever haj»pens the present law is likely to remain in force, and Messrs Armour will not get a license from this Parliament.