TO-DAY’S PARLIAMENT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16578, 6 November 1924, Page 5

TO-DAY’S PARLIAMENT.

(IVr Press Association.' WELL I N'l.fi'ON, this day. The House met at 10.30 a.in. Replying to Mr Wright, Mr Massey said that so soon as Cabinet had finally settled the terms of the Licensing Bill ho would have it circulated. He would also have the' report of the special committee, together with the evidence taken, printed. Replying to Mr Potter, the Minister of Defence said the) Government was istili considering the question at subsidising an aeroplane flight from Australia to Now Zealand. In reply to Mr llol.and, Ivlr Massey said he would consider tire question ill calling Parliament together next year early enough to enable it to rise about tho end of September, and so give man bets representing large country districts an opportunity to- get round their electorates.

Replying to Mr Wilford, Mr Massey said i.e was not prepared to announce tiie names of the Gaming Committee. The cornmittc-e would not bo a. iargp one—about half a. dozen suitable men.

At this stage. Mr Hoekly, chairman of tlio Licensing Committee, moved that tho report of the committee be printed. Ho strongly objected to tho evidence being printed’, on the ground of the expense.

Mr Isitt said as the report, was that of a majority of the committee, it was unfair to send it out. without anything to show what, the minority thought.

As tliern were indications of an acrimonious debate arising, the Premier said he would consider dropping the whole proposal. The Hon. Mi- Parr moved that the debate be adjourned. This was clialleHiged by, Mr McCombs, lull on a division the adjournment, was carried hv .33 tp 14.

Mr Massey then, moved the second reading of the Appropriation Bill, the last measure to be considered this session.

In moving the second rending Mr. Massey said that one Appropriation Bill was very much like another, but there were probably fewer extraneous clauses in this measure than in any previous similar Bill. He explained in detail the financial clauses of the Bill, one of which was the provision of a second cruiser in New Zealand waters.

Mr. Wilford deprecated the-practice which has grown up in recent years of amending other Acts by inserting clauses in the • Appropriation Bill. The Liberal party favored the contribution towards a second cruiser if that, was the best means to secure our defence. The Singapore base was essential to our safety, as the Japanese were steadily moving their base down towards Australia and New Zealand. Mr. Fraser said there undoubtedly was the Eastern problem to be faced, but it was unwise to indulge in extremes. He favored settlement, along the lines of goodwill wherever possible.

Mr. Holland regretted that provision had been made for a second cruiser. Mr. Wilford’s speech was deplorable. Twenty-five years ago exactly the same things were being said about the Japanese, and it was a mistaken policy to stir up a spirit of suspicion towards people who aided us in the war. He would prefer to see the money for a second cruiser devoted to pensions. Mr. Massey, in reply, said they could not forget, the services of Japan during the war, but all the same we must do our share towards tjhc defence of the Empire. We could not forget the losses made in the early stagbs of tho war because our trade routes had not been protected. War would come whether we liked it or not, and he did not think tho moral gesture of Mr. Ramsay MacDonald could keep it away. The second reading was agreed to.

The managers of tho TUos. Cawthron Trust Bill reported that they had come to an agreement with the Legislative Council. A radical change was that the life tenure of the trustees except one, was reduced to five years. The report was agreed to.

The House then put the Appropriation Bill through the remaining stage's, the measure being passed with one small technical amendment.

The reports of Select Committees were being considered when the House adjourned for luncheon at 1 o’clock (Parliamentary Reporter.) The) Premier was asked by Mr Wright to-day if the Licensing Bill would 7 be circulated during the recess. He replied that it so far had not been printed.

Mr Fraser: Not drafted. Mi- .Langston©': And never will be.

Mr Massey : Yes, i! will.. Ho added tli.it tho Law Drafting Office- had been overworked. Tint mixing up of the licensing with tho i general election did riot, appeal f,o him, a,s they could not move in one without affecting the other. He did not wish to stir up possible differences at an election twelve months in advance, because, judging by present, appearances, they were not likely to have an election, until a year hence. The Licensing Bill had not been considered by Cabinet When this was done he would consider whether it should be circulated.

Mr laitt suggested that some of tho evidence should be printed, seeing the one,-sided constitution of the committee. Tim Premier agreed to have the: report and evidence printed. Mr Hollandi asked: the Premier in the House to-day whether he would call Parliament earlier next session, say May, so that the Houso might rise about the end of September, in order to give members time to visit the electorates before the election.

Mr Massey agreed to consider the proposal. Replying to Mr Wilford, Mr Massey said, he was not ready to announce the personnel of tho Gaming Committee. It would comprise about half a dozen members) who woukl be able to look at. both sides of thd question.