PARLIAMENT

Timaru Herald, Issue 170270, 15 July 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

__—-—«—..—.— HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. MR HOLLAND ON IRELAND. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON', July 14. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr Wright presented a , petition, signed by 1900 Home Service men asking that they may be permitted to participate ill war pensions and gratuities.

The Hon. Mr Anderson gave notice of his intention to introduce a Gaming Act Amendment Bill.

Mr Holland pointed out that the notice of motion regarding the government of Irclanihd given by him. yesterday had not been put on the Order Paper. He asked if the notice of motion had been ruled out of order.

The Speaker said that he had taken the responsibility of ruling that the notice of motion should not go on the Order Paper. because he considered that it reflected on the action of the British Government.

Mr Holland attempted to raise the question of privilege, but the Speaker ruled that tins was not a question of privilege. If he desired to question the ruling of the Speaker he could so in the usual-way. ROUTINE MATTERS. The usual sessional committees were then set up. The Speaker announced that he, accompanied by members, had presented to His Excellency the Administrator the address passed by the House, and His Excellency' had made a suitable reply. The Dunedin Corporation Empowering Bill (Mr Statham) was introduced and read a first time. A BUDGET" OF; QUESTIONS.

• Ministers replied to questions as follows :

That a report is being obtained as to the probaDle cost of increasing the lower superannuation allowances ? to meet the increased cost of living. That the New Zealand woollen companies haye been allowed to purchase the wool they required for local manufacture and sale on the following terms-:—(a) For such quantity of wool as was equal to the average quantity treated at the works during the previous two years, the purchase price to be appraised at a price plus cost of valuation; (b) for any increased quantity the purchase price to be appraised at the price phis cost of valuation and plus hfllf the difference between the appraised price and the London sales values. A return will be furnished showing the -exportation of woollen goods from New Zealand during the past two years.

That the contract for the purchase of the New Zealand wool clip includes all wool clipped up to 30th June, 1920. That the present Government is not responsible for the electoral system known as "first past the'post," though the Government is of opinion that for the House of Representatives it is better than any other method which has been suggested as an alternative. That the anti-shouting law would be dealt with in legislation this session. That the question of the increase of old age pensions will be dealt with when legislation is introduced this session regarding the - retention of the bonus paid unyr the Finance Act .1917 as a portion 'of the statutory pensiou.

That it is not proposed to introduce legislation for an increase of the miners' pension; nnder the Miners' Phthisis Act this seesion. The matter was dealt with and an increase granted under the Finance Act last session.

That it is not proposed to introduce legislation this session compelling the owners of unoccupied houses to make them available'for homeless families. That it is intended to amend the Housing Act this session, when a proposal to increase the amount allowed to municipal councils toiler""this head per annum (£10,000) will be considered. That the was making every provision. for nominated immigrants coming to New Zealand. _lf trouble had amen in connection with assisted immigrants the fault was not at the door of the Government. The mistake was at the othtT end. That there was no railway cut imminent owing to shortage of coal. At the same time he w r ould like to point cut that railway shocks of coal were at present rather below than above the average. ' .

That the question of further extending maternity allowances is being considered. That so far as returned: soldiers are concerned it is,not proposed .to; introduce special legislation for tubercular cases. Any discharged soldier who suffers from the recurrence of tuherciilar or other,disease may make- application for further: consideration of his caste l>y the-War Pensions ; Board at any time.''

That the Education Department is at present preparing an authorised list of primary school books, which will have the effect of securing greater imiforn>ity throughout the dominion. That under Section 7 of the Mortgages Extension Act 1920 any mortgagor may apply to the Supreme Court to extend the term for repayment of. the principal,sum until a date not late. r than the 31st December 1921. The- conditions of the Act of last year were ■very carefully settled by a Joint Committee of both Houses, and th& Govt-rn-mont does not consider it'necessary to propose any amendment.

That inquiry is now "oeing made into wood pulp leases, and on receipt of the information asfced for the question of cancelling leases which are not likely to he worked within six months would he considered.

That it is proposed to introduce during the present session legislation regarding the sale of seeds. That the censorship is not n<J& r under the control of «h© military authoriT!ie control was some time ago transferred to the Crown Law Office. Letters censored have been dealt with as found necessary for the purposes" stated. The censorship is continued for the time bein,e in order to. enforce' the terms of the Treaty with regard to enemy moneys and properties, and for the prevention of the evasion of thesrf terms, and also to prevent the evasion of the of the law as to trade with countries lately enemies of great Britain. That the Board of .Trade is in close communication with importers regarding the supply of benzine to dairy farmers- Every encouragement is "being given to importers to bring in sufficient quantities to enable the needs of the dominion to be met. That in an amendment to the- Social Hygiene Act which it is proposed to introduce this session provision is made for the notification of cases of venereal disease where the patient failg to carry out the treatment prescribed, and may become therefore a danger to others. The discussion on questions .lasted till 5 20 p.m. The House lesumed at 7.30. COAL MINES BILL. The Coal Mines Act Amendment Bill was, on the motion of Mr Holland, read a second time and referred to the Mines Committee. REVOCATION OF NATURALISATION.

The House went into Committee on the Revocation of Naturalisation .Amendment Bill, which was in charge of the Hon. Mr Anderson.

Replying to Mr Sidey, the Minister said he had como to the conclusion that it was not advisable to give aliens a right of apjjeal against the revocation of their naturalisation.

Rdglit of appeal was advocated hy Messrs Isitt, "Witty and Stafcham, who pointed out that the Act applied to all aliens, not merely to Germans.

Mr Sidey moved an amendment, the effect of which was to give an alien an opportunity of protesting against the revocation of letters of natiiivilUaiion. The Minister contended that there was ample right of appeal under the original Act to prevent injustice. Be would personally take care of that. , Mr Massey said there was ; ome .misunderstanding -Frith regard to the Bill. It only dealt with aliens who had been denaturalised and refused to give up* their naturalisation papers/ Discussion on the Bill and the amendment, occupied tlie whole of the evening sitting. , Immediately after . the suppar adjournment a division was taken on Mr Sidey's amendment, which was lost br 42 to 22. •' The Bill was reported from Coram ittf.o without amendment, and a third reading-was set down for next sffctine: day. * The House rose at 10.16 p.m.