PARLIAMENT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160740, 28 August 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

legislative council. (Per United Press Association.) tV LLLINGI ON, August 27. The Legislative Connoil met at 2.30 p.m., bin sat for only a low minutes during width they passed the Imprest Supply Bill through all stages. Tim was the only business taken. The Council then adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE! In the evening the Estimates wera further considered. Discussion of the Defence vote appears elsewhere. Customs, Harbours and Marino, etc., £257,933, were next discussed. Eeplyuig to Mr Eraser, Sir William Homes said the Customs Department was_ granting licenses for export- to foreign countries of foodstuffs which did not consist of batter or did) not contain sugar. Mr Wilford moved an amendment that the vote be reduced by .£IO,OOO as an indication that Customs duties should lie abolished and put upon, largo estates, large incomes and death duties; 'The amendment was defeated by 31 to 16. Discussing the Marine vote, and replying to an inquiry by Mr T, Fraser, Sir Wm. Hcrrics said that the Now Zealand! Government had been offered a ship by the Imperial authorities to replace the Amokura, but it was found that the necessary alterations would cost almost as much as the value of the ship, as it was an old ship. Captain Hooper, who was making inquiries at Homo in connection with this matter, recommended that the alteration should not be made. The Government had indicated to the Homo authorities that a ship of the mine-sweeping olaas would lie acceptable, but there had been no result. They were now waiting for Captain Hooper to return, when lua advice would be taken as to whether the Amokura could advantageously be re-fitted. The vote was passed at 1.15. Discussion on the Labour vote of £40,589 was commenced after a protest by the Labour Tarty against taking such an important department also late an hour. Replying to Mr P. Eraser, Sir Wm. Hemes said an effort would bo made to speed up the work of the Arbitration Court.

The vote was passed and the House rose at 1.30.