PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 1, 17 August 1911, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

house of representatives. (Per Press Association. .1“ Wellington, August 16. The House met at L’.oO. The Guardian Trust and Executors Company Amendment 3till was read a third time and passed. Replies to Questions.

Replying to questions, Ministers stated: That reports upon the claims of old soldiers, hoard hy magistrates, were now being compiled, and it was hoped to have them read at an early date, when the Government will consider how host to give effect to them ; that a vigorous policy of a.T’orcstution is being pursued and great extension of tree planting operations is contemplated ; that Government was carefully observing the results of the State note issue in the Commonwealth; that the demands for cordite and for small arms at present arc too small to warrant a heavy initial expense for plant, etc.; that the question of establishing a State clothing factory will be considered ; that the whole question concerning the employment of shunters is at present engaging the Minister's attention ; that the basis on which the railway superannuation fund was established will not permit of the benefits of the fund being further extended; that the proposal to allow persons to continue their contributions to the superannuation fund after their retirement from service could not. he entertained; that Government is not prepared to hand over to three irresponsible men, (two of whom arc railway employees) the administration of the railways, which is the largest of the State departments; that the frieght on imported timber could not bo reduced; the question of the pay of rail way men was now engaging the Ministers’ attention; an actuary is at present engaged on the examination of the public service superannuation fund and expects to have the report ready next month; the education syllabus is now under consideration and rearrangement will follow, generally on the lines suggested at last conference of inspectors ;thafc it is not intended tc make any money' grant to members of rifle clubs from New Zealand who desire to attend the New South Wales Rifle Association meeting; that it is not at present intended to remove tho preferential duty from plant and machinery required for boring for petroleum; that revision of . tariff for the purpose of equalising the tariffs be tween Australia and New Zealand or agricultural produce will not be dealt with this session, but the question of adjustment will bo considered with a view to entering into negotiations with the Commonwealth Government during the recess; that the proposal to transfer to local bodies, in whose districts unoccupied Crown lands are situated, such lands as inalienable endowments could not he entertained : that tho question of extending tin guarantee of one penny per pound to next season’s shipment of apples i? under consideration.

Coionation Snuitaiions.

Mr Herdman moved for t'-o return of all correspondence relating tc invitations to members of Parliament to the Coronation. He said the whole 'latter was shrouded in mystery. Probably, as some one had stated, Mr Joseph Ward, Bart.., wished to be the ‘only pebble on the beach.”

The lion. J. A. Millar si id there was no one in the House aho cor Id hand the correspondence over. a portion of it was confidential. Ho was sure the whole matter could r.-> jio p-.rly cleared a ' He was responsible for the invitations not being forwarded ho members of the Legislative Council, because he thought it would he an insult to members to offer to pay their expenses. Further, it was an insult to the country. There was r condition that, though hospitality would ]>o extended to members, there was nothing to show that the same would be extended to their wives and daughters. The invitations did not come from the Homo Government, but from a committee. This country should have paid the cost of sending members Home. As far as the Go vornmont was concerned, on Sir Jcsepl Ward’s return tho whole correspondence would be placed before the House.

Mr Massey said if tho correspondence was to ho laid on tho table, Ministers should vote for Mr Herdman’s motion. Ho did not agree with the Hon. J. A. Millar’s attitude in connection with invitations to the Legislative Council. Messrs Arnold, Hannan, Hogg and Forbes desired the fullest information on tho matter. The debate was adjourned, and tire 3 House rose at 5.80. OlcJ Soldiers’ Pensions. During the discussion on answers to questions this afternoon, Mr Massey stated that tho way old soldiers wore treated was a disgrace. Ec was quite prepared to vote ten shillings a week to all veterans who could prove service during the Maori wars. The House resumed at 7.30.

Daylight Saving.

Mr Si (Icy moved the second reading of the New Zealand Moan Time Bill, which was before the House last session as the Daylight Saving Bill. The measure provides that on the last Sunday in September, at 2 a.in., all clocks in the country shall be put on to 3 o’clock, and on the last Sunday in March all clocks shall be put back one hour. Ho pointed out that already one of the Australian States had followed the form of this Bill, and similar Bills ware before the other Statm of the Commonwealth at the present time. A large portion of public opinion in New Zealand was in favour of the proposal. A petition was to have been presented to Parliament, for which athletic bodies were mainly responsible, in support of the Bill. It would contain some three or four thousand signatures, and would

be one of the most representative .and influential petitions ever presented to the House. The carrying into effect of the provisions of the Bill were extremely simple. Nothing need be altered but the clock.

Mr G. At. Thompson did not support the Hill. Ho would like to hear what milkmen and those engaged on morning newspapers had to say with regard to the proposal. The best scientific evidence taken by tho Committee of the House last session was against the proposal. Mr Fisher contended that such a measure as proposed would benefit tho -.working man and allow him to get, outwit h Ins children in the daylight. It would also benefit school children in tho matter of home study. Mr Poole strongly supported the Bill. Its economic aspects in the matter of saving of light, taken with its athletic and amusements benefits, tended to make the measure one which should go on tiie Statute Book. After some further discussion the Bid was read a second time.