PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18463, 26 January 1922, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

NOTES FROM THE PRESS GALLERY.

(FBOH Ottß OwW COBBMPONDBKT.) WELLINGTON; January 25. , AMALGAMATION OF STATE / DEPARTMENTS. Replying to a- question asked to-day by \ the Hon. J. A. Hanan, (Invercargill) re- , garbing proposals for the amalgamation of the- State department*; in, the interests of economy, tho Prime Minister sgid that half , a dozen such proposals at least were under consideration at the present time. The two coal departments were being amalgamated, the two insurance departments ’ were, 1 being , amalgamated, *nd the Lands ' Purchase Department was being merged in the Lands Department. He would make a full statement - of, the matter probably next week. ‘; HIGHWAYS AND MOTOR VEHICLES, BILLS. . "I am not prepared to answer the question at once, as it has not yet been decided that : wo shall go on sitting for another month,” was the Prime Minister's reply, when he was asked to-day by Mr T. K. Sidey .(Dunedin South), whether the Government intended to proceed with the Highways Bill and the Motor Vehicles Bill this session. PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION. Mr J. M’Combs (Lyttelton) to-day asked the Prime Minister inf the House of Representatives if, before the session closed, he would give- Kim Un opportunity of moving his; Proportional Representation Bill. . , Mr Massey: I don’t know, whether tho hoti. member is serious in making the request. ■ Mr M'Combs: Quite serious. - Mr Massey: Well, he does not look it. I shall be very ' glad to take the hon. • ■ gentlemen’s request into serious consideration, but I am afraid I cannot hold out much hope that his request .will be acceded to- . ■