WORK IN PARLIAMENT

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16850, 28 September 1922, Page 7

WORK IN PARLIAMENT

THE IMPREST SUPPLY BILL (Special to the “Star.”) • ‘ A F FiW T HIN (1S TO SA Y” WELLINGTON, September 27. The introduction of the Imprest Supply Bill into the House of Representatives, and its subsequent passage through its various stages, gives members a golden opportunity to talk. Members seized this golden opportunity to-day. for as Mr T. K. Sidey put it, •' There were a few things which ought to be said,*’ arid members proceeded ro say them. The House would have risen earlier had members confined themselves to those things, but bturtj ing with Junior High Schools members ! the loss of revenue if it is carried, I prohibition and the increase of revenue j if it is carried, school dental nurses, I repatriation, law drafting, and the j business of the session. Socialism, mentioned, tho first of these being the ! Prime Minister’s description of tne j Labour Party’s suggestion that the ! workers should have a voice in tho management of the railways; the second Ins idea of the underlying principle of the Meat Control Board, and the third the Labour Party’s contnbu tion to Webster should he ever have* to define the meaning of the board. Incidentally Mr Sullivan claimed that what Mr Massey now described as Socialism was what one of his most able lieutenants. Sir James Allen, had advocated in the 1919 Budget. These were but a few of the matters members felt impelled to discuss. “LINE CLEAR MESSAGE!” Certain interest was given to tho earlier part of the proceedings by the Prime Minister in answer to a question as to the situation in the Near East, saving that ho had no news but that <« clear the line ’ message was thou on its way from the British authorities. Members waited for the message v.itji anxiety, hut nothing more was heard oTit. and gradually it became known that" it had proved to’ have no connection with the war prospects. WORK FOR PARLIAMENTWhat members did get out of the day’s debate was a statement by the i Prime Minister that there is work to keep the House ‘going to well towards the end of October, and the admission that owing to the shortness .of the gap ; between.' the sessions, and illness in the Law Drafting Office, legislation was not so soon available as usual. What rhe House did was t-p grant supply tor £1,799.000.