PARLIAMENT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1787, 5 November 1919, Page 11

PARLIAMENT.

TO-DAY'S SITTING. Press Association. WELLINGTON, November 5. The House of Representatives met at 11 o'clock to-day. Replying to Mr C. 11. Poole (Auckland West),' the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey) said that Cabinet would not. agree to grant any compensation to the Leyland-O'Brien Timber Co., Ltd., in connection with damage done to the scow Moa, which was captured by Count von Luckner after the escape of German prisoners from Motuihi. Replying to Mr .T. McCombs (Lyttelton), the Prime Minister said that it would be impossible to pr.ss a satisfactory amendment to the Shops and Offices' Act this session. If he were in power, a consolidating measure would be brought down early next session. Supply of Sugar.

Replying to Mr H. E. Holland (Grey), Mr Massey said that there was a shortage of sugar in the Dominion, which was accentuated by the fact that a cargo of 4500 tons had to be sent away from Auckland because the watersiders refused to unload the steamer. The Board of Trade was, inviting a representative of the Colonial Sugar Company to visit Mew Zealand to discuss the position. He did not wish to see rationing to individuals, but he would see that there was a fair distribution between towns. The Mining Trouble. Replying to Mr H. G. Ell (Christchurch South), the Prime Minister admitted that he was not familiar with all .the derails of the dispute between the miners and the coal-owners, but if it were only a matter of tools and explosives he thought that the dispute would be quickly settled. As soon as he was able to get time he proposed to go into the whole matter. Railway Out Commission. Mr Massey laid on.the table the report of the Royal Commission on the railway cut. The Commission reports that there was no other reason for the curtailment of the train services than the shortage of coal. Railwaymen's Wages.

Mr Massey made a statement regarding, railway men'a wages. He said that it was proposed to set up a board to inquire into wages and working conditions. Cabinet proposed to ask the board to report on what increase was necessary to meet the increased cost of living since March last, when the men made an agreement with the Government as to the scale of pay. The board would be asked to report within three months, but on tile question of this increase it would be asked to make an interim report. Dominion's Soldiers Thanked. The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey) moved a series of resolutions recording the thanks' of the House, in the name of the people of New Zealand, to the men who served on land and sea in the Great War. The motions were seconded by the Jit. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward (Leader of the Opposition) and supported by Mr H. E. Holland (Grey), on behalf of the Labour Party. A motion honouring, in a spirit of reverence, pride in the memory of those who gave their lives, and respectful sympathy with their relatives, was carried by members standing in silence. Sympathetic speeches were made by lion, members in support of the motions. South African Veterans. Mr Massey made a statement regarding the position of South African veterans with regard to land settlement. He regretted that it was not possible to permit them to participate, but as soon as the great bulk of the soldiers were satisfied, Routh African veterans would be allowed to come in.

Appropriation Bill. The Appropriation Bill was introduced.- It provides for the payment from the Consolidated Fund of .£340,000, to be distributed among manufacturers of butter, either for export or for eonsumption in New Zealand. Authority is given for payment of up to three months' salary to the GovernorGeneral, on his vacation-of ofliec. The payment of £3OOO out of the Lady Liverpool Fund, Christchurch, for the Eurposes of the Christchurch Returned oldiers' Club is validated. Any expenditure by local bodies (including harbour boards and education boards), in respect to the visit of H.M.B. New Zealand, is validated. Section 9 of the Sehvyn County Subdivision Act, 1910, with other .similar legislation, limiting the amount of subsidy payable out of the Consolidated Fund in respect of rates collected, is repealed. Expenditure on the part of local bodies, agricultural and pastoral associations, friendly societies, or incorporated societies, is also validated. There is provision for an increase in annual salary, not exceeding £2O in any case, to officers of the Post and Telegraph Department, from April 1,1919. This is to meet the War bonus, which Sir Joseph Ward states he promised officers of the department for the halfyear ended September 30, 1919.