PARLIAMENT

Southland Times, Issue 17805, 2 November 1917, Page 4

PARLIAMENT

THURSDAY, Ist NOVEMBER, LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, November 1. The Legislative Council met at 10.30 ajn. and passed the Appropriation Bill. , HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 10.30. PARCELS OF After the despatch of formal business, Sir Joseph Ward stated that the Government were in cable communication with the British Government on the subject of permitting parcels of sugar to pass through the post to our troops. The grounds on which the application was made were that sugar was a commodity about which we were in no difficulty, having an ample supply and at a moderate price. In the event of the British Government not agreeing to the request, the High Commissioner had been asked to press for delivery of parcels en route. MEAT TRUST COMMITTEE. Sir Joseph Ward said he desired to clear up the inference raised as a result of proceedings before the Meat Trust Committee, when certain members were evidently endeavouring to connect him with the American Meat Trust’ through his association with the Ocean Beach Freezing Company. He read a telegram from the solicitors of the Company to show that these freezing works were transferred to the Federal Shipping Company on February 4, 1903, and were still owned by that Company. He read further documents to show that the American Meat Trust had nothing to do with the works, and reaffirmed his assurance that he was not, and never had been, in any way associated with the Trust. This the Committee could have discovered for themselves had they taken the trouble to do so. Mr Nosworthy said when the member for Patea raised the question, he based his enquiries entirely on advertisements appearing in the newspapers. Sir Joseph Ward said the advertisements were eighteen years old. Dr Newman and Mr Field (Otaki) assured Sir Joseph that the Committee was fully satisfied that he was in no way connected with the Trust. APPROPRIATION BILL PASSED. At 11 o’clock a message was received from the Legislative. Council that they had passed the Appropriation Bill, and the Speaker at once proceeded to Government House to obtain the signature. The Speaker returned af 11.40 and reported that the Governor-General had been pleased to sign the Appropriation Bill. THE SESSION’S WORK The schedule of the business done during the session shows that 45 public Bills were • passed and 36 dropped; one private Bill was passed. The House met on eighty days, a total of 511 hours, an average of six hours 24 minutes per day. THE LIQUOR QUESTION. Mr Massey said that when six o’clock closing was before the House he and the Minister of Finance had stated that something must be done to put the liquor question on a more satisfactory basis, and this had given rise to a misunderstanding in certain quarters. He desired to say that the Cabinet had not been able to give this matter consideration, but during the recess it would be the duty of the Cabinet to consider measures for submission to the House next session on the lines suggested by the Efficiency Board—that was either continuance or prohibition with compensation. This issue would be decided on a bare majority but that would not apply to local option now decided by the people. Sir Joseph Ward explained that any action he had taken on the liquor question this session had been dictated by his position as Minister of Finance, in which position he could not afford to sacrifice any revenue. Members then indulged in the usual valedictory speeches, after which a division was called on the question that the House adjourn. END OF THE SESSION. The House rose at 12.30 and the third session of the nineteenth Parliament came to an end by members singing the “National Anthem.”