PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 8, 27 August 1914, Page 8

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. ii'tUL PBBBi AMoOIATION.J Wellington, August 20. The Council met at 8 p.m. Hon H. D. Bell moved the adjournment of the Council as a mark of respect to the memory of the late Hon. T. Y. Duncan. Resolutions were also passed expressing appreciation of tho services of the late Hon. J. 13. White and W. McLean. The Hon. H. D. Bell gave notice to introduce the Public Bodies Leasing Bill. The Council rose at 8.20 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. to-morrow. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Mr Buick (Palmerston) asked the Premier whether it was the intention of the Government to give young men who were going out to light tho battles of the Empire an opportunity to vote at the next general election, both upon the licensing question and upon the Parliamentary issues. Sir Joseph Ward said that this question was a most important one, and lie would like to ask the Premier whether he would make a statement on Tuesday as to what he proposed to do in regard to the general election.

The Prime Minister said there was no wish on the part of the Government to disfranchise the young men who were going out to fight for the Empire. If it were possible to make provision to allow them to record their votes it would be done. The matter was now under consideration, and he proposed to make a statement in a few days. With regard to the point raised by the Leader of the Opposition, it was even more difficult to answer. Unless there was some difficulty of which he was not aware, he was of opinion that the elections should he held at the usual time. Sir Joseph Ward said the question in which the people were most deeply interested was whether the election was going to be held this year. That was the point on which he wanted an answer on Tuesday.

In reply to Mr Davey, the Premier said it was the intention of the Government to set up a commission to. inquire into the price of foodstuffs. In reply to Mr Keed, the Minister for Finance said it would not he possible for the Advances to Settlers Department to make large loans, but they would try and provide loans for settlers in small amounts. In reply to Mr Sidey, the Hon. Jas. Alien said that he could not say what number of the advance guard of the •Expeditionary Force had signed orders tor allocation of their half-pay, but care was being taken that every member of the second force should allocate this half, or more, if desired. Provision would also have to be made for debts, and the keeping alive of insurance policies. In reply to Mr Atmore, Hon. J. Allen said that every effort would be made to prevent those under 20 years of age leaving with the contingents. IN MEMORIAM. On the. motion of the Premier, the House placed on record its sense of appreciation at the good work done for the Dominion by the late Hons. T. Y. Duncan, J. 13. Whyte, and Mr William M'Le:in ; and expressed its regret at their death. The motion was spoken to by Sir Joseph Ward and Hon. Buddo, and Messrs Wilford and Leo, and were carried in silence. The House rose at 8.41 p.m. till 7.30 p.m. to-morrow night.