PARLIAMENT.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19144, 29 October 1927, Page 15

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ' (rBBSS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, October 28. The House of Representatives was occupied to-day with an Imprest Supply Bill, the amount of supply asked for by the Government being £1,194,800. On the motion for second reading, Mr Savago (Auckland West) asked thai) free railway passes' for police officers on, holidays be restored. He said that policemen travelling with prisoners should not be required to bo in uniform. Mr Sullivan (Avon) asked for additional inter-island travelling privileges for members of Parliament. South Island members were at present seriouslyhandicapped, as they were only mitted twelve steamer tickets, and this meant" that overy southern member, in order to carry out the duties of his position, quickly exhausted hi* free passes, and had then to pay his own ferry fares for the transaction of public business. Mr Veitch (Wanganui) supported Mil Sullivan's plea for fuller travelling privileges for members of Parliament. The job of a member of Parliament* he said, was a _whole time job, and I should be recognised as such. Private [ members drew no allowances at all apart from their honoraria. Replying just before 31 p.nu the Prime Minister said ho thought th* Government would be able arrange for an additional number of Bteamor tickets for members travelling between the North and South Island. The Gov* ornment realised that they had to travel a lot.

Mr Armstrong suggested paying members better salaries, and then they would be able to pay their expenses. Mr Coates (smiling): Well, that )■ an idea that might be considered. It is quite a new thought. (Laughter), Something would be done, he added, in regard to steamer fares.

Mr Armstrong: That is a small matter with what we really want. Mr Coatcs (jocularly): I don't know what the hon. member really doea want. If we gave him the moon he would still want the sun. (Laughter.) Mr Atmore (Nelson) made an' appeal for more generous remuneration to members of the House. The Hon. Mr McLcod said there wa« no ■ difference on the question of better payment of members, but there was difference as to when the pay. should be increased. His own opinion was that no increase should tako effect before next election. The Bill was passed, and tho House rose at IvSO a.m. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. In the Legislative Council to-day the Inspection of Machinery Amendment Bill, the Kauri Gum Industry Amendment Bill, tho Auckland Harbour Board Empowering Bill, the Hukarere Native Girls' School Amendment Bill, the Makorua Drainage Board Loan Empowering Bill, the Hutt River Board Empowering Bill, and the Potono and Lower Hutt Gas-Lighting Amendment Bill were put through their final stages and passed . _ Progress was reported on the Magistrate's Court Amendment Bill, consideration of Clause 2, which deals with limitation of powers as to tho attachment of debts being postponed. The Council adjourned at 4.40 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.