PARLIAMENT

Southland Times, Issue 17792, 22 July 1916, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

FRIDAY, 21st JULY. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 21. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. COUNCIL REFORM. The Hon. G. JONES resumed the debate on the second reading of the Legislative Council Act Amendment Bill. He stated that it was his firm conviction that the Act was unnecessary, and should be repealed. He asserted that a large number of benefleient laws that had been passed since Mr Ballancc took office, and which had done so much to help the workers, had originated in the Council. The Hon. J. BARRS’ amendment was put and lost on the voices. The second reading was carried on a division by 22 to 2. The Council then went into committee on the bill. The Hon. J. T. PAUL contended that the personnel of the Council should remain as it was until the Act was brought Into force. The bill was reported from committee without amendment. On the motion for the third reading the Hon. J. T. PAUL raised the question of salaries paid to members, which he considered insufficient in the case of members who, like himself, had to give up their daily work in order to attend the Council. He hoped the Government would give the matter consideration. After debate the bill was read a third time and passed. COMPULSION BILL. The report of the second conference of managers of both Houses on the Military Service Bill was received and adopted. The Council rose at 5.20 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. RECRUITS' DENTAL WORK. Replying to Mr J. C. Thomson, the Minister for Defence said that arrangements had been made with the Dental Association to attend to recruits’ dental requirements on the basis of reduced prices. . In a general way the services of members of the Association are employed, but there was no bar to the employment of any qualified dentist who is outside the Association. NIUE ISLANDERS. Replying to Mr C. H. Poole, the Minister for Defence said lie did not think it wise to allow any more Niue Islanders to enlist in the reinforcements. COLONEL RHODES’ MISSION. The MINISTER FOR DEFENCE laid on the table Col. Heaton Rhodes’ report on his official visit to Egypt, Gallipoli, and Malta. He moved that the report be printed. Mr T. M. WILFORD spoke appreciatively of the work done by Col. Rhodes, saying that the information sent to New Zealand was a great comfort to parenta who, prior to his visit, were in grave doubt as to certain matters which Col. Rhodes was able to set right. The Minister, in reply, said that a senior officer of the Postal Department was leaving shortly for France to take charge of the postal arrangements. He spokef in the warmest terms of the unselfish work done by Col. Rhodes, whose report was a most valuable document. COMPULSION BILL. The Speaker announced the result of the second conference on the Military Service Bill. The PREMIER explained that the principal point agreed to by the conference was the provision under which religious objectors were compelled to do noncombatant service not only in New Zealand but beyond it if necessary. That was a most important amendment, as under it an objector would be compelled to go wherever he was sent. This raised a lengthy discussion on the right of the religious objector. The report of the conference was finally agreed to on a division by 44 to 18. PUBLIC WORKS ESTIMATES. The PREMIER then suggested that the House defer the rest of the formal business and proceed with the consideration of fhe Public Works Estimates. This was agreed to and the House went into Committee of Supply. On the vote of £114,000 for the Public Works Department the Hon W. FRASER said that the Estimates this year consisted mainly of last year’s unexpended balances. This was necessitated by the fact that so little money was available owing to the war. In order to overcome the difficult# in which this would place local bodies he proposed next spring to visit certain places in the dominion, when he could hold conferences with local bodies and discuss the question of which works were most important, and arrange for the transference of votes where necessary. He was taking power in the Appropriation Act to do this. He defended himself against the charge that he spent an undue amount on branch lines of railway, and that lie favoured the South Island as against the North. Such criticism was quite unfounded. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 8.30 p.m. In committee on the Public Works Estimates considerable discussion took place on the first item, during which members ventilated grievances and the requirements of their respective districts. The discussion proceeded without interruption up to the supper adjournment. After supper members continued to debate matters connected with the Statement. Mr FRASER, at 10.30. replied to the various points developed during the debate. Referring to Otira tunnel he said the country was pledged to the work and it had to be finished. With regard to the Rimutaka deviation, when money was available lie had no doubt the work would' be undertaken. As to (he new Parliament, buildings members could he sure that lie would do his best to push on with the work and liave it finished in time for next session. Ho admitted that the Lake Coleridge electrical scheme had lean years, but lie anticipated it would pay handsomely in the future. So satisfied was he of this that he had given the engineer instructions to design a similar scheme for the North Island. Plans were prepared but the engineer had not yet decided which source of supply was most suitable. At midnight the discussion was still proceeding on the first item, members generally ventilating local grievances. At 12.5 a.m. the first vote was passed, and the following classes passed without comment; —Railways, £800,000; public buildings. £361,000; lighthouses nad harbours, £14.000; tourist and hcaltli resorts. £5000; Immigration, i' 15,000. The next item, construction, maintenance. and supervision of roads, bridges, and other public works, £420,000 passed after a slight discussion. Otlter votes were, development of mining £6000: contingent defence, £30,000; lands improvement, £10,000; irrigation and water supply, £40,000: plant, material, ami stores, £20,000; other votes (including telegraph extension, £30(1.000: Railways Improvement Authorisation Act, 1914, account £200,000; land for settlement account, £100,000), totalled £650.745 were passed. The House rose at 12.55 a.m. till 2.30 i p.m. on Tuesday. ]