PARLIAMENT

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 21, 18 August 1917, Page 3

PARLIAMENT

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. i Per Press Association. Wellington, August 17. In the Council this afternoon, Hon. 0. Samuel presented the report of the Statutes Revision Committee on the New Zealand Inscribed Stock Bill. The measure was considered in committee, and various consequent amendments adopted with regard to the new clause dealing with the issue of certificates by the registrar as to evidence of title to the inscribed stock. In speaking on the new clause, Sir F. H. 1). Bell stated that the effect of the amendments was to constitute two classes of certificates, one being an ordinary bond, and the other lo make a transference impossible without the

production of a certificate of'nfle. The amendments were passed, and at a later stage the Leader announced they had been accepted by the Lower House.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The House met at 2.30. REPLIES. Replying to Mr McCombs, the Premier said he was not prepared to say the time had come when we must conscript labor, but the time may come when Parliament will have to pass legislation to discourage idleness. Replying to Mr Harris, Sir Joseph jVard said he had heard a good deal concerning .the system of raising money by means of premium bonds. He preferred, however, to wait the result of the investigation now going on in England on this subject before adopting any system. The debate on the Budget was continued, and the House rose at 11.10 p.m. POLITICAL NOTES. SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE. ( ; ~ “Does he intend to bring down this session the financial legislation necessary to meet the demands of the Second Division League Conference recently held in Wellington?” asked Mr J. Vigor Brown, M.P. for Napier, of the Prime Minister in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. Mr Massey replied, briefly, and to the 'point, “My answer is that the necessary legislation will be brought down -ms session.” (Hear, hear.)

A statement regarding the soldiers who have come back from the war was made by the Minister of Defence in the House of Representatives showing the, returned up till July 31 to be 10,917. Of these, 9,265 had received their discharge, 1214 had returned to duty, 48 had died, and 119 were awaiting final disposal; 216 were under treatment, 2 were in prison, 4 had deserted, and 19 were on special leave.