PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1840, 28 August 1913, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

A DAILY SUMMARY,

Thoro were some unexpected developments in tho House of Representatives yesterday. Tho afternoon was taken up with the usual discussion on questions, but the evening, which under ordinary circumstances would have been spent in the consideration of private members' Bills, was devoted to an Imprest Supply debate, which afforded an opening for a debate on naval policy. The Prime Minister announced during the evening that the House would probably adjourn at 5,30 this evening to enable mombers to attend tho Governor's reception to the visiting British Parliamentarians. •

During part of the evening sitting a seat on the right of the Speaker was occupied by Mr. Will Crooks, Labour member for Woolwich in the Imperial Parliament.

During tho half hour devoted to formal business a number of interesting matters were touched upon. Answering Mr. G. M. Thomson the Prime. Minister stated that, with the Minister for Defence, he had that morning discussed with Lord Emmott, British. UnderSecretary for State, the condominium in-the New Hebrides. Another question without notice gave, tho Prime Minister an opportunity of omphatically contradicting a report that the Public Service Classification List had been referred back to the Commissioners oy Cabinet in order that the amount of the increases proposed might be cut down. .

The Minister for Marine made a statement in rebuttal of allegations made by Mr. J. V.; Brown during tho Financial Debate, that Australians had been favoured as against New Zcalanders in sealing operations under the control of. the Now Zealand Government.

Questioned by Mr. J. S. Dickson regarding the existing state of affairs at 'Avondaie Mental Hospital, the Hon. R. H. said that the institution, in comm'on with others of its kind in New Zealand, was overcrowded and understaffed. Twenty-five nurses had been imported, and additions would bo built at Avondaie and other institutions extensive enough not only to accommodate the inmates, but to mako a proper system of classification possible. ~ Two hours were spent in discussing. Ministerial replies to questions, and many topics were raised. The carriage of stock by rail was discussed at length, and various improvements upon tho systern in'voguo wcro suggested. Another subject which engnged a good deal of attention was the action of tho Govern-ment-in taking over drill-halls under tho provisions of tho Defence Act.

■ When tho House resumed at 7.30 an Imprest ? Supply Bill was introduced. For the first twenty minutes the only! bono of contention was. the grievance of members whoso private Bills had been ousted by the introduction of the Imprest Bill, but when the latter measure was reported from Committee, Sir Joseph Ward brought up the subject of naval policy, and asked the Government to define its attitudo upon, this important question,. Tho member for 'Awarua attacked the system of lo'ftal fiavies, and declared for undivided Imperial control. In the debate that followed, speeches were delivered by. the Hon./Jas. Allen, ancl by the Prime Minister. 'Both.said that a statement bf policy must be deferred pending the receipt of a communication from the Admiralty, which is duo to arrive next month. They indicated, however, that Ivhile_ the Government adhered to the principle of individual control in Imperial naval affairs, some extension of local naval control would be sought.' The Primo.Minister.said.thati he would never be satisfied until ho saw a British fleet, dominant in the Pacific*

. Later discussion, diiftetl to the subject of land defence, and- in its later stages the debate assumed the normal character of an Imprest Supply debate. ' The Prime Minister read a letter sent to him after the last general election by Mr. J. Payne, in which that member promised to votei against the Ward Government on a no-confidence motion. • The Imnrest Supply Bill was passed, and the House rose at 0.15 a.m.