PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1921, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

YESTERDAY’S BUSINESS. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. CUSTOMS BILL PASSED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 pm. Sir Francis Bell gave notice of the Public Trustee Amendment Bill. Two Bills from the House —the Death Duties Bill and the Land Agents Bill—were read a first time. The Crimes Amendment Bill, dealing with the silent witness in abortionist cases, was introduced by Sir Francis Bell and read a first time. A committee was set up to consider the Forests Bill, and was given power to sit with a similar committee from the House. The Customs Bill was put through all stages and passed. The Maintenance Orders (facilities for enforcement) Bill, Education Amendment Bill, Native Trustee Amendment Bill and Forests Bill were read a second time pro forma, and referred to committees. The Council rose at 3 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. SITTING AFTER CHRISTMAS. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 pjn. Replying to Mr. G. Witty (Riccarton), Mr. Massey said he would give instructions at once that old age pensions should be paid, so that pensioners would be able to receive their money before Christmas. Replying to Mr. D. Jones (Kaiapoi), Mr. Massey said he regretted to hear that one of the southern freezing companise contemplated raising its charges ten per cent, over those in force last year. If that was so he would consider the position and see if legislation was necessary to check such an increase. Replying tp Mr. H. E. Holland (Buller), the Hon. G. J. Anderson said the State coal miners had been better treated than any other miners on the "West Coast, and they had shown their gratitude by turning round and striking on every possible occasion. They were at liberty to resume work on the terms laid down by the Government. i Replying to Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton)the Hon. J. G. Coates said the number of men employed on Government relief works was 700, and the number of other men employed by the Public Works Department depended entirely on the amount of money the department had to spend. Replying to Mr. Jones, the Hon. C. J. Parr said the question of hospital board taxation in the country districts was largely in the hands of the ratepayers who elected hospital boards. If a board’s administration was costly then the ratepayers should know how to make their voices heard.

Replying to Mr. H. Poland (Ohinemuri), Mr. Massey said he would consult with x the Treasury officials and see whether there is any objection to the Government making some payment on account of the butter subsidy before Christmas. In reply to a question put by Mr. Witty, the Premier said he was now confident the House could not finish its business before Christmas. There would be at least a fortnight’s business after the House resumed. He would leave it for members to say on which day they adjourned for Christmas.

Replying to Mr. McCombs, Mr. Massey said nothing would give the Government greater pleasure than to do more for soldiers under the soldiers’ settlement scheme, but at present suitable financial arrangements could not be made.

Replying to Mr. McCombs, Mr. Massey said he had recommended Cabinet to agree to an amendment of the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act, and he believed a Bill was now being drafted. He hoped it would be brought before the House this session.

Replying to Mr. Holland, the Hon. W. Nosworthy said it was a fact that 3400 immigrants were on their way to the Dominion, and may arrive during the next three months. They were coming under the same conditions as previous immigrants, and many of them were bringing a good deal of capital with them. Replying to Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition), Mr. Massey said there was not the slightest fear of New Zealand being “left” in connection, with the payment of German reparations. The only doubt he had was whether Germany would be able to make the payments stipulated by the treaty.

On the motion of the Premier the House ordered that the writ be issued for the election to fill the vacancy in the Southern Maori electorate caused by the death of Mr. J. H. W. Uru. The Premier said the election would be held some time after the holidays.

The Premier intimated that he desired to place Mr. L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North) and Mr. F. F. Hockly (Rotorua) upon the committee set up to consider and suggest amendments to the licensing law. The Premier said he did not expect the committee would be able to do more than preliminary work this session. It would not sit during the recess, but would be reappointed next session.

A special committee was set up- on the motion of the Hon. D. H. Guthrie, to which he referred the Forests Bill. The committee is to confer with a similar committee from the Legislative Council.

The Hospital and Charitable Institutions Amendment Bill was introduced by Gover-nor-General’s message. The Hon. C. J. Parr said the Bill consisted of 31 clauses, mainly suggested by departmental officers to overcome shortcomings which had been discovered as the result of. experience. The Bill was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Public Health Committee, before which hospital boards may be heard. The House rose at 12.20 a.m.