QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2191, 2 July 1914, Page 4

QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE

MINISTERIAL REPLIES

COUNCIL REFORM, In questions find' otherivis" sinister suggestions have been jiintle lis t® tho (lovormiient's bona tides in oiwafinft with Council reform. Repl.yifig to a Question by Sir- Joseph Wnr.i yesterday. -which suggested tvfiat tho -of t»; people were being set- afklo by submitting tho C-piliieil reform proposals to' tiw Legislative Council first.. Mr. Mc.sB(/y said; l, Tk> represfen'tirtivos of tho people aj-e not .ill any way heiug sat Aside, litft it; is a constitutional principle that reform should be ijiiliat<?-.l .1:1 tif.it branch a? tho Legislature v. iiicif is intended to bf. reformed..' 5 ''

Replying io another question by Mr. Craig w as to the teccssity for making new anpomummts, lie said: "The lionourablo member should bo able to midjs.ratajKl tl-iat tho LBgigfotird Council cannot he made elective until ihe legislation with that object lias been agreed to, and it is principally for the pur-pose of securing a majority in favour of sticli legislation that the n-.esy appin-tmetfte QXQ beiiij} madis." THE LICENSING BILL, A iV.-.v days ago Mr. Wilford put this following question to ftc- Prime Minister:—"Whether it i-s : a fact, that the (aOVrawUftttt ifr 'iilvo lji-ceiii&-!ilft' Bill as ii non-party measuro because It has not, made 110 its mind on tlso subject F' , " .

Mi'. Masscy yesterday replied as follows:—"The, Bill referred to will come before in. -caurse, and tho honourable member, if ho chooses to take- ad.vanta(?o of it, will have ati oppbrtirnity of vst.ihp; on every clause. As the case \v-i« prev'ious ifceftsiue Bills,, tiiis will be a uon-partv measure. The Cioverumen.t in this and every other natter. will do 'What it be'ievcs to be in tho best, interests of'the comnniiiity.".. BALLOTS FOR LAND. Mr. K. il'Cailum made the following Buggo-sjion by way-Of :n question in the House to Mr, Jlaftsev last week: "W!n> thf?r he will exorcise more control over Laiid Hoards.' selection of applicants for and oilier Crown lands, in Hie direction of allowijis persons with limited means to go io thf> ballot, and lit the siime tinni wiil lro pv.fleavctir as fur as possiblo :to prevent ail those who apply for piiroly speculativo purposes, from compoiing:'" ■ The Righ.t H'on. Mr. Mr.ssey, in his reiily yestcrda-y, explained t!;e law as follows:—''Tho Land Act, ]9-8,. places, ihe matter of solec.Hon of apolicants in tlio hands of tho Land Hoard and does not. .aut.ho.risn. tho Minister to interfere with it in the. oxdrcise of its statntorv fmip.tions. Oh more tlj.lll one occasion when i.ho a.ttciiiiou' of a Land Board lias: been drawn to. similar fitutempnts tli.e report, of the Chaiimaii indicated that •the board was fullv aiive to the !»sition, and was: endeavourim;, nr. far as possihle, to give, ft (feet to t-lie provi.nions of the Act'and' the needs of se.ttlcmeni."

WORKERS' HOMES. Replying to ,:a ; questioß. is Mr. • Hunter yesterday. Mr. Ma'ssey said; "Steps have fen takcii by the Governiiient for the erection dsvell-. inii» in; all towns of Xmv 'Z ; ea|ajTfi where six ©r more applications have been rijnsfe'; aii'l arrangements are; ■ ■.aj'ffca.dy' : under way for the erection of about ono hundred and eight? dwellings, iii ililTori pnt part? ot Xew Zealand 'accordirmbv T'-.e acquisition of. laud at. will, ha duly .consiYuwl.wher. six or moro ; apnlionnts 'for workers? homes have sig- .;■ .tvittotl; ijijS'ix.intention of talons.!. up '.w.. , ■ '.rirsito:& f