PARLIAMENT

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 90, 21 August 1923, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THE END IN SIGHT. Per Press Association. Wellington; Auyust 20Tlie House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr T. M. Wilford) asked the Prime Minister what Bills he proposed to ask the House to pass foeiore his departure for London. Ho assumed the session was to en f ] this week, though it was evident that already a week's work was on the order paper. Legislation should be properly oons'dered before being placed on the Statute Book. "And," concludeJ Mr Wilford, "we do not propose to take the responsibility for legislation rushed through, and we do not think our responsibility] requires us to accept all forms of legislation merely to get a birr Statute Book." Tlie Prime Minister replied that ;.the House had decided that it would not sit .after he left for England. There would be no difficulty with the Bills on the order paper. The Land and Income Tax (annual) Bill wo.ild have to he amended in committee. Then ther© wa R the' Stamp Duties Bill, which had been amended by the Statutes ."Revision Committer, and }i e thought it should go through. The"'Harbors Bill was a consolidating measure'and should not take long. Mr Wilford said a clause in the University B ,: ll taking away the powers of the Senate would ho very contentious.

Mr Massey said the Finance B'T would not be contentious. He did not think the Gaming Bill. which he had cone through that morning, would be very contentious. M.r L. M. Isitt (Christclmrch North)-j "Tt will be verv contentious." (Laughter). Mr I«itt further stated that ho would favor redistr'bution, hut not an increase in the number of permits. Mr Massey; ''That is a distinct advance." (Laughter.) But he did not think they should stand in th<* way of letting the country districts have their annual picnic, which was the real value of a country race meeting. Mr Massey saiu the Dairy Control Bill would be ready for reporting on Wednesday, but he suggested it should not be discussed «>n its introduction. Mr R. Masters (Stratford).- "Drop the compulsory clauses and then there will be no trouble." Mr Massev said he knew Mr Masters was tlie spokesman of a number of other members who were opposed to the Bill. However, he did not want -to dictate to ".--members as wfcb what they should do, but he suggested there should be no discussion on the Bill's introduction and that it be voted on by the Ho'jse. In regard to the Elenoral Bill, Mr Massey said it would not be a, party measure, hut he wanted to get something on the Statute Book which would be an improvement on present conditions. The Bill would be taken up next session;- and he proposed to deal with the niost important parts of it by resolution. Mr Massey said he would be satisfied if tae session ended on Monday. He piorfsed to leave for Auckland on Saturday and return on Monday.

In reply to a question, Mr Massey indicated that lopal Bills would have a fhir run. and' that the Public Works Statement would r >e ready on Wednesday, Replying.' to Sir V. H. Potter (RoskdDj Mr Mussey said there was nothing to be gaine<j by .setting up a special committee to tonsiutu - the question of licensing oookmaiveis. lie did not cure to have a xJariiauieuiaiy committee sitting duiin c the recess, uiid in any case, us nothing coiud be uone until next session, he thought the uiatter haul bettor stand over.

Iteming to THY Musters, the Hon. W. !Nos worthy said "6 was uoi uv\aie tnat any report iiad been made lo or by the iioaru of T'.ade icgaruing alleged breaches of iiie regulations governing the sale <-i bran and pollard. » Replying to Mr M. J Savage (Auckmnd West), Mr saiJ he was not prepared to send two delegates representing New Zeal-iju Labor to the League ol .Nations ai Geneva on the grounds of public expense. He doubted if the public would get any benelit from the large cost. The Railway Committee reported on a petition of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants praying for. the establishment of a wages board that as a question o? policy was involved they had no recommendation to make on this. Mr H. E. Holland (Leader of the Labor Party) moved,and Mr. W. A. Yoitch (Wan•ganui) seconded that the report be referred back to the conuniti.ee tor further consideration. The Hon. J. G. Coatcs (Minister t.-r Railways) briefly indicated that the Government would have no objection to the report beinir referred back. After further discussion the petition was referred back to the committee.

The Registration of Engineers Bill was introduced and read ■ first time. The Hon. Coate s said it was important to have pood engineers, and i. : . was advisable to have a hall mark of efficiency. It was pioi>osed to circulate the Bill, so that during the recess it could be considered, and, if necessary, objections to it raised, and the Heuse could deal with the whole question next session.

The Finance Bill wa s iiJxoued by Governor-General'i;} message. The "washing up Bill!' was introduced and read a first time. The House rose at 1.45 a.m.* /ill 2.30 P.m. ' ' '••