IN PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1209, 18 August 1911, Page 7

IN PARLIAMENT.

DAILY SUMMARY. THE COST OF LIVING. In the Houso yesterday afternoon Sir James Carroll, tabling Sir Robert Stout's report 011 his mission of private inquiry to Rarotonga, was pleased to be sarcastic. Asked by ilr. Massey when tho House would have an opportunity of "discussing the report, the Acting-Prime Minister eaid I hat as tho papers had been t full of the charges against t'lio Cook Islands Administration for months past, ho thought tho ilouso could discuss the matter forthwith. The Leader of the Opposition, retorted that the Houso could not very well discuss such an important document when nobody but tho Ministers could lmvo read it. Sir James Carroll, still in the heavily sarcastic vein, remarked upon this "keenness for official information." He suggested that consideration of the report should be made an order tho day for next Thursday, and this was agreed to. Mr. Hogg's Abolition of Duties on Food Bill kept tho House interested for tho rest' of tho sitting. This is ono of tho measures which is described as an "old friend" or a "hardy annual." Nobody expects theso liills to pass, and according to tho temper of tho Houso and the exigencies of tho day, they may or may not be debated. Yesterday a good many members mado Mr. Hogg's measure an occasion for airing their views on economics, or saying tho sort of thing tho electors aro supposed to like. Tho cost of living was the principal, but by no moans the only, theme. The Hon. J. A. Millar, speaking as a thorough-going Protectionist, suggested limitation of profits as a method of lightening the burdens of the consumer, and he thought that if the prices of the foodstuffs named in the Bill were to be dealt with, a better way than straightout abolition of duties would bp to bring them within the scope of the Monopoly Prevention Act.. Tho debate seemed likely to run on into tho small hours of the morning—it would certainly have Jasted long enough to crowd out >Sir William 'Steward's Marriage Amendment Bill, and Mr. M'Laren's Shearers' Accommodation Amendment Bill—but the adjournment was carried at 11.10 on the motion of Mr. Jennings. The resumption of > the debat'o stands on the Order Paper as second to Mr: Hcrdman's Civil Service Reform Bill next private members' day.