HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17059, 11 August 1917, Page 5

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fer Press Association. WELLINGTON, Aug. 10. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. .

THE WHEAT PROBLEM

In answer to Mr Poole, the Prime Minister said thas early in the year rthe Government Statistician advised that there was not sufficient wheat in New Zeaalnd to last until the next harvest, therefore Australian wheat was purchased.' Recently, however, it had been found that the quantity of Australian flour imported was threatening to put some of the southern mills out of action. The matter would come before th 6 Cabinet to-morrow, but he could not say what action would he taken.

THE PRICE OF BUTTER. In answer to Dr. Newman,; the Prime Minister said that the maximum price or butter stood as before. The Board of Trade reported that it was being sold at between Is. 6d. and Is. Bd. Some months ago the owners of butter were under th c impression t;hat they could not get the supply away, and the price went down to Is. 3d., but later it was round that the supply might be got away early in the season, and the price went up again.

N.Z. INSCRIBED STOCK BILL

Sir Joseph Ward ga--e notice of intention to introduce the New Zealand Inscribed Stock Bill. He proposed to circulate the Bill to-night, with a view to asking members to pass it at an early date. There was nothing exceptional in the Bill, but it was necessary that it should be passed before the loan was floated.

RIVER BOARDS

The Hon. Russell gave notice of intention to introduce the River Boards Bill.

WAR REGULATIONS AMEND-

MENT

Mr Webb, in asking leave to introduce the AVar Regulations Amendment Bill, said that some of the finest men m the Dominion were at present behind iron bars because of the rigid nature of the War Regulations.-They had not a drop of German blood in them, and were in no sense German agitators. Though they strove to avoid industrial, trouble, they were in gaol. He considered that it was to the advantage of the Dominion that Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward were out of the country when tbje conscription strike took place -on thefWest.Coast, because the men left behind showed a more statesmanlike view of the position, than those two Ministers ever took. They used conciliatory measures, and were assisted by some of the leaders of the men, yet within a week of the strike being settled the men who ordered the Blackball men back to work were put in prison. Jf those men chose to raise their little finger they could pjunge the country into industrial trouble to-morrow. He detailed the proceedings in connection with the recent strike, and claimed that his personal effortl? wero all in the direction of peace. He had worked day and nisrht with Ministers to avert trouble. The worst he and others who were put in gaol had done was to criticise the Government. He challenged any Minister to cmestion his action in connection with the strike.

Mr McCombs, in supporting the motion, declared that one of the accused persons had been convicted for no greater offence than quoting the New Testament. If one man was sent to gaol for quoting the Bible, other men. including Mr Isitt. should be convicted for sellins: them.

On a division, leave to introduce the Bill was refused by 34 to 10. x

CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION

The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act Amendment Bill (Mr Walkfir) was introduced and read a first time.

HEALTH OF THE CAMPS

The Minister for Defence tabled the report of the Director-General of Medical Services in the camps. He described the report as very comprehensive. The discussion on the report continued until 5.30, when the Hones rose.