PARLIAMENT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15343, 4 October 1917, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, October 3. The Legislative Council resumed this afternoon. Sir Francis Bell reported that the Statutes Revision Committee had not finished consideration of the Sale of Liquor Restriction Bill, and would probably deal with it again this evening. The Council adjourned at 2.45. " ' i HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WELLINGTON, October 3. The House met at 2.30. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Poland, the Minister of Education said the of raising the pay of school teachers who enlisted as non-commissioned officers or privates to the level of those who enlist as officers was under the consideration of the Cabinet Replying to Mr Walker, Sir Joseph ward said the export of sugar, had been stopped even in parcels to soldiers, through the medium of the of the Post Office. In answer to a question, the Premier said that a New Zealand business man who had been resident in England for some years was being sent out to supervise the shipment of next season'? wool clip. NATIONAL EFFICIENCY BOARD. The Premier announced the new arranegments under which the reconstructed Efficiency Board is to work. He said the non-political members of the Board would be free to make enquiries and recommendations, on the lines of the original order of reference, which had not been changed. Such reports are to be submitted to the Premier and Minister of Finance. If they are unable to agree with the recommendations, a meeting of the full Board will be held fo rdiscussion of the questions in dispute. In the event of no agreement being come to then, the points at issue will be referred to the Government to be dealt wit has it deems desirable. Mr Massey expressed the opinion that this arrangement would result in the avoidance of friction, which in the avoidance of the friction which had interfered with the work of the Board in the past. SOCIAL HYGIENE BILL. The Social Hygiene Bill (Hon. Russell), a measure to prevent the spread of venereal diseases, was introduced by Governor's Message and read a first time. REPORTS DISCUSSED. The remainder of the sitting was occupied by the discussion on the reports of Select Committees. Replying to . questions, Ministers gave the following Answers: —That the Land Purchase Board already has power to purchase the freehold property of any member! of the Expeditionary Force should it consider the land suitable for subdivision and settlement, and the price reasonable. In addition, an amendment to the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act, which will be introduced shortly, will grant further facilities to enable all classes of holdings to be acquired for discharged soldiers. In reply to a question the Minister stated: That the position of payments made, by dairy factories on account of the butter fat levy up to tb/; 30th September, is as follows: —(1) Total amount paid by factories; £306.257 ; (2) total amount refunded to factories as compensation on butter sold for local consumption, £215,198; (3) total amount still remaining in fund, £91,059. The distribution of balance of £91.059, less a sufficient sum to be kept in hand to meet emergencies, will be dealt with by the licensing authority and Board of Trade on. 3rd October, and further pyaments will be made, practically disposing of the balance remaining in the fund, The Government will grani every facility possible to organisers of the movement to enable Jugo Slavs to assist the Allies. Cabinet will again consider the question of Slavs enrolling in a regiment for service in Servia as soon as reports are l'eceived from the committee set up by the Jugo Slavs. The Government is also considering the question of organising these men for home service. That during the Christmas holidays Trentham Camp will be practically emptied, therefore there will be every opportunity to air the huts adequately. That it is hoped legislation will be passed this session giving certain powers to the Department's juvenile probation officers that will enable them to deal to some extent with any excessive amount of street trading, long hoiirs, or overwork affecting some eity children. In order to deal fully with the matter it would be necessary to secura certain amendments in the Industrial Schools Act and the Department has under consideration the inclusion of such amendments during the general revision of the Industrial Schools Act, which is now being made. WAR PENSIONS. Wh<m the House resumed at 7.30, an amendment to the War Pensions Act was introduced by Governor's Message. The Minister, explained, that, according to, his. promise last night, he proposed to amend Clause 3 so that the pensions payable shall not be less in any case than if ihey were assessed in- the manner indicated in the second column of the third schedule. This secured to a soldier that the amount fixed in the schedule would be the minimum payable. He also proposed to omit Clause 16, and t- 1 substitute a new clause, which widened the definition of those entitled to pensions, and made provision for the dependents of a man.who lost his life by accident or otherwise than at the front. These amendments were agreed to on the voices, and the Minister moved to report progress. The Premier explained that it had been discovered that several items in the

echdule required revision, and it was thought better to put the schedule in proper form before going on with - the Bill in committee of the whole. Progress was reported. LOCAL BIILS. The Premier stated that he proposed to aslc the House to go on with local Bills, several of which were in a-n advanced stage. Progress was reported on the- Waimakariri Harbour District Empowering Bill, there being home hostility to it. The Wellington City Trading Department's Reserves Renewal Funds Bill was put through the committee stage, read a third time, and passed. The following local Bills were also put through' all stages and passed:—Wellington City Empowering Bill (Mr Wright). Day's Bay Sanitation and Water Supply Bill (Mr Wright), Tauranga Harbour Amendment and Foreshore Bill (Hon. Mr Herries), Manawatu County Lean and Empowering Bill (Mr .E. Newman), Western Taieri Land Drainage Bill (Mr Scott). On the motion' of Sir John Findlay. the Napier Harbour Board Empowering and Vesting Bid was postponed until the next sitting day. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. The House then proceeded to discuss the answers given by Ministers to questions during the afternoon sitting. During his reply * to the discussion, the Premier stated that he had- a. Bill in course of preparation for the purpose of dealing with improved methods-for the settlement of discharged eoldier*. The BilPwas not quite ready for submission to the Cabinet, but he hoped to do so during the week-end, and he thought when members saw it they would be pleased with it. Legislation was not necessary to deal with, the farms of shirkers.