PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 145941, 26 September 1917, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. j PEE PBESS ASSOCIATION. AVELLINGTON, Sept. 25. The Legislative Council resumed this afternoon. The Hon. 0. Samuel reported that the Statutes Revision Committee had no amendments to make with regard to the Registration of Aliens Bill, and the Bill was put through all stages and passed. The Sale of Liquor Restriction Bill was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The second readings of the Public Trust Office Amendment Bill, and the Military Service Act Amendment Bill were set down for to-morrow, at 2.45, and the Council adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATfVES. The House met at 2.30. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Messrs. Hornsby and Witty, the Premier said ho had done his best to contradict the wild rumours circulating in Australia regarding the alleged revolution which had taken place in New Zealand. He had also endeavoured to correct the exaggerated reports sent to England* concerning the earthquake which took place here some weeks ago. He would see what could be done to prevent such absurd reports being cabled from New Zealand. Replying to Mr. AVilford, Mr. Massey said the Home authorities had expressly laid it down that no foodstuffs should be sold without their consent, and it was inadvisable to export anything in the food line except to England, Mr. Sykes said there ivas a rumour that the Government intended to call up discharged soldiers for further examination. Sir James Allen said that cjischarged soldiers could not bo called up for examination. and he could not understand how that and other similar silly rumours arose. Replying to Mr. AA’itty, the Hon. AA r . D. S. MacDonald said ho considered there was no cause for anxiety regarding the supply of wheat and flour for the Dominion. If there should prove to be a shortage, and he found the farmers holding stocks, steps would be taken by the Government to secure such supplies. REDUCING HOUSE RENTS. Mr. Hindmarsh introduced the AA r ar Legislation Amendment Act, 1916. Amendment Bill. He explained that the measure aimed at reducing house rents in AVellington to pre-war rates. He urged that the position was critical, and appealed to the Premier to do something to relieve the pressure on tenants. Mr. AVilford, Dr. Newman, Mr. \ 7 eitch, Dr. Thacker, and .Messrs. Payne and AVright discussed the Bill from the point of view of the tenant, suggesting various expedients by which the necessities of the workers might be met. Mr. Massey said this question was not nearly so easily dealt with as many’ might suppose. The danger was that if legislation went too far it would have the opposite effect by stopping buildmg operations. That was the effect in New South AVales, and though our law did not go so far as that in New South Wales, if it were mado more drastic the effect would probably be the same. If the Government attempted to remedy the shortage of houses by building others, they would at once bo faced with the cost of building material, which, necessarily, meant increased rent, as the State could not build the houses at a loss. He was utterly opposed to the system of flats, which lie hoped would never be introduced in this country. The right poliev was the one we were adopting here of permitting one family to occupy one house, and enabling the head of the family, if possible, to make the hou«e his own. Of course lie know he would be answered by someone saying that land values would prevent tins, but lie was distinctly of opinion .that we were not far away from a serious drop in land values in this country. He had in view some amendment to the existing law, which he would probably bring down in a day or two. The Bill was read a first time. TECHNICAL EDUCATION. The Minister of Education laid on the table the report on technical education, the discussion lasting till 5.30, when the House rose. ... , At 7.30 the House wont into secret session.