PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2827, 19 July 1916, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tho Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. SIR FRANCIS BELL gave notice to introduce the Legislative Counoil Amendment Act, 1916. The Hon G. CARSON gave notice to move on Friday next for a return showing the number of caßes of venereal disease treated in the military camps of the Dominion since the beginning of the war; (a) tho number dismissed as incurable and unfit for service; (b) tho number now under treatment; (c) the number sent back from the front as unfit for service; (d) the number sent back who nre now drawing pensions under tho Pensions. Act. The Hon. W. EARNSHAW moved that tlie Government take into consideration the wisdom of joining with the Federal Government of Australia in its appointment of an Industrial Commission of Inquiry representative of manufacturer* and workers, to visit tho United States, otc., and report upon' the methods of manufacture au3 production and the conditions; of employment. Such a commission, he said,j would be of value to this country in increasing its self-reli-ance and self-dependence. This country could not afford to allow Australia to develop its resources whilo we lagged behind, We must keep abreast, other-wise-we would be merely a recruiting ground 'for Australia in the future. The Hon. .T. T. PAUL seconded the motion. This motion, lie said, was not a controversial one. It simply asked the Government to consider - tho advisability of a certain course. Tt would l>e a lost opportunity if New Zealand did not ask to be associated with this commission. SIB FRANCIS BELL said he would not enter upon any discussion 'of the subjects referred to, but if tho motion were carried, as he presumed it would be. he would lay it. together with the speeches made, before Cabinet. He hoped that the most friendly relations would always subsist between the two countries. A former colleague of his, the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher, had done nruch to foster friendly relations. Still, he ho'jed the day would never co'me when New Zealand would be one of , the States of an Australasian Commonwealth. The motion was agreed to. The Finance Bill was received from the House of Representatives and read a first time, and made an order of the day for Wednesday. The Council adjourned at 2.55. THE HOUSE The House of Representatives mot at 7.30 p.m. A committee was set up, on the motion of the Minister of Public Works, f.o consider the furnishing of the new Parliament Buildings. LAND AND INCOME TAX. ■ Amendments to the Land and Income Tax Bill were introduced by Governor' 3 Message. SIR JOSEPH WAED explained ; the amendments, whioh were largely of a technical nature, in detail. Amongst other things it was proposed to restore the taxation of gold-mining' companies to their former position. ' MR. T. M. WILFORD (Hutt) criticised the amendments made, anil especially attacked the provision exempting income on loan moneys from income tax. SIR JOSEPH WARD replied at length, defending the measures proposed, which, he said, were essential to securing the prospective loan moneys. The House rose at 9.30 p.m.