PARLIAMENT

Southland Times, Issue 19656, 5 October 1922, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

LEGISLATr\ r E COUNCIL. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, October 4. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. BILIB REPORTED. The Fireblight "Bill, Auckland City and Auckland Hospital Board Empowering Bill, and Invercargill Corporation Empowering Bill were reported without amendment. SECOND READINGS.

The State Fire Insurance Amendment Bill 1 , Post and Telegraph Amendment Bill, and Coal Mines Amendment Bill were read the second time pro forma and. referred to the committees. The Hajiraki Plains Amendment Bill and the Canterbury College and Canterbury Agricultural College Amendment Bill were read the second time. The Council rose at 2.45 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATWES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. MAIN HIGHWAYS BILL. Replying to Dr Thacker (Christ - chifrch East) MRr MASSEY said that in all probability the Main Highways Bill lie introduced this session, and, if (possible, passed. He hoped to see it brought down within the next few days. IMMIGRANTS AND STATE EMPLOYMENT. In reply to Mr W. T. Jennings (Waitomo) the HON. G. J. ANDERSON said it was not true that instructions had been issued by his Department to the effect that immigrants should receive preference in Government employment wer New Zealanders. THE WHEAT SURPLUS. The HON. W. NOSWORTHY, speaking as Minister of Agriculture, said he did not think there was going to be a large surplus of wheat in the Dominion as he had formerly been lead to believe. A PROSPECTING SUBSIDY. Replying to Mr T. G. Seddon (Westland) the HON G. J. ANDERSON said he was willing to subsidise a scheme for prospecting the country behind Hokitika to the extent of £2 fo-r £l. The Government’s offer was a liberal one, but he thought local people should do something to assist. ARMS ACT. A SIR HEATON RHODES, Minister of Defence, informed Mr D. Jones (Kaiapoi) that the Government had not yet decided to compensate storekeepers who held stocks of revolvers the sale of which was interfered with by the Arms Act, but he would ask the Cabinet to consider the point. DAIRY EXPORT BILL. The HON. W. NOSWORTHY gave notice of his intention, to set up a special committee to consider the Dairy Export Control Bill, the committee to consist of the following members: Messrs Hawken, Reed, Poland. Hockley, Masters, Holland, McLeod, A. Hamilton, E. Newman and the mover. REPAYMENT OF WAR DEBT. MR MASSEY, in. the course of a brief statement upon a cable appearing in the press said New Zealand was paying off her war Lability to Britain on the same terms as Australia. The whole position was set' out in the Budget. JUDICATURE BILJu. The Judicature Amendment Bill No. 2 was introduced by Governor-General’s message and read the first time. The HON. E. P. LEE explained that at the request of the judges fuller provision was being made for two sitting judges cn the Court of Appeal, and provision was also made for adding the time served on the Bench by a temporary judge to his service on which he is entitled to superannuation when he received a permanent appointment. He thought it better to make these in a new Bill ARBITRATION BILL. An amendment to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act was introduced by Governor-General’s message. The HON. G. J. ANDERSON explained that, the Bill made provision for joining industrial districts. Provisions were also made with regard to nominated members of the Court and payment of union levies. The Bill was read the first time, and the PREMIER promised that it would go to the Labour Bills Committee. DAIRY EXPORT CONTROL BILL. The Dairy Export Control Bill was also introduced by Governor-General’s message and read the first time. At 2 a.m. the House was still sitting.