PARLIAMENT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15341, 2 October 1917, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES. In answer to Mr Forbes, the Premier stated that he did not think the Electoral Boundaries Commissioners had yet completed their work. The results would be-placed before the public at the earliest moment. So far no Minister had seen the altered boundaries. Germans on waterfronts. Replying to Mr Payne, Mr Massey said he must decline to make any comments on the remarks of the Magistrate made at the Wairuna inquiry, that matter being sub judice, but he would be glad to receive any information regarding Germans employed on our waterfronts. TO CHECK USURY. Replying to Mr Payne, the Hon. Herdman said he was at present looking into certain transactions under the Money Lenders Act, with a view to checking usury. If necessary, an amendment of the law would be made.

ASSISTANCE TO RETURNED SOLDIERS. Replying to Mr Okey, the Premier said arrangements had been made to increase the amount lent to returned soldiers on chattel security from £SOO to £750SCHOOLS FOR DEFECTIVE CHILDREN. Replying to Mr Payne, the Hon. Hanan said he had under consideration the establishment of one or more special shools for defective children in the North Island. The matter would be brought under the notice of the Cabinet.

TRIBUTE TO NEW ZEALAND TROOPS. The following w r as read by the Minister of Defence in the House to-night: “Divisional General Authoine, commanding tire First French Army, to Sir Douglas Haig, Commander-in-Chief of the British Army. Dear Marshal, —A£ the moment when. New Zealand troo/,' are preparing to leave the First French Army, I feel impelled to acquaint you. with the splendid conduct of all the British troops which you haw been g ’od enough to place at my disposal. Infantry battalions, engineer battalions, and labour companies have vied with each other in displaying ardour in their work and in good behaviour. I thank you very sincerely for the valuable help they have afforded to my First Army. I should be glad if you would be good enough to convey to them this expression of my satisfaction. Accept, Marshal, the assurance of my respectful regard.—(Signed) Anthoine.”

TECHNICAL EDUCATION. The Minister of Education laid on the table the report on technical education. During 1 the course of his reply to the discussion, the Minister said ho hoped the time was not far distant when the Government would be able to establish compulsory day classes in connection with technical classes. THE EFFICIENCY" BOARD. Mr Massey announced the names of the Efficiency Board, as follow;—Mr Ferguson (chairman), Mr Massey, Sir Joseph Ward, Mr Begg (Otago), Mr Frostick (Canterbury), Mr Elliott (Auckland), Mr Moss (Wellington and country district). The Premier stated that he had no doubt the Board would do a great deal of good for the country, and that all friction would be avoided for the future.

MILITARY AGE—A CORRECTION. Sir James Allen explained that last week he had stated that it was not intended to send men of 43 years out of the country. That was an error. His reference should have been to me of 44 years and over. _ . ' The House then proceeded to discuss the answers given to questions by Ministers last week. Replying to a question regarding the. supply of fish in inland towns, the Hon. Russell stated that the Government Had the whole matter under serious consideration. The question was a most complicated one, and during war time, with the great calls on railway haulage and fiances, there was little chance of very" much being done just now. However, when normal times returned there was no doubt some revolutionary methods for the distribution of fish would be resorted to. A return presented to Parliament shows that 68 journalists have so far proceeded to the front Mr Massey announced that the War Pensions Bill would be considered at 2.30 to-morrow. Thd House rose at 11,15,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, October 1. The House of Representatives met at 7.30- i. Replying to Mr Okey, Mr Massey stated that during the past few days he had received two cables from the High Commissioner on - the question of the Imperial Government taking over our butter exports. Unfortunately, neither cable was definite, and therefore neither was satisfactory. However, the cables indicated that the remodelled Food Controller’s Department was seriously considering -the questioil of taking over our butter. He had replied to both cables asking that a speedy decision be come to, as butter was coming into stores and the producers were beginning to experience difficulty regarding storage. Speaking for himself, he desired to say there was no reason why production should not'go on, as so far as the Government were concerned, they undertake to find shipping space for produce until such time as satisfactory arrangements can be made.