PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1917, Page 1

PARLIAMENT

THE HOUSE. WELLINGTON, July 13. The House met at 2.30. p.m.. BILLS, The following- Bills were introduced and read a first time:—Thames Harbour Bqnrd Amendment. (Al’r. Rhodes), Wellington- City Empowering (Ah'. Wright), Hawke’s Bay Rivers Amendment (Sir John Findlay), Dunedin Waterworks Extension (Air. Statham), and Napier Harbour Board Empowering and Vesting (Sir John Findlay). SOLDIER SETTLEMENT. A lengthy debate took place on the subject of settling soldiers on the land following upon the laying on the table of a’ paper by tlie Prime Alinister. \ Air. Massey, in reply said that. he approved of the idea of settling soldiers in groups under some such sqstem as provided by the Land Settlement Finance Act. He could practically promise that legislation for this purpose would ho introduced this session. The fact was that the Government was receiving offers of more land for soldiers than it could dispose of. For this land there was not the demand many people supposed. He referred to criticism that it. would cost nearly a hundred millions to settle soldiers at the present rate, but it was unfair to take one or two instances and calculate all eases on that basis. TheyXnmst take the average, and that would-be about a: thousand pounds per man. tjUTliis, however, Would not be lost to the country as the' State still had the land as security. The House rose at 3.30 p.in. EVENING 'SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The debate on the Address-in-Reply was continued by the Hon. 0. W. Bussell. Air. Anstey, discussing the question of reinforcements, considered the time had arrived when the House: should carefully consider what- the country should do in this connection. Mr. Hudson discussed the fruit industry and farmers’ income tax. He complained that sons of aliens were allowed to remain at home and help their parents to work farms while the sons of British, parents wore taken away and sent into the firing line. Surely the sons of aliens could he put to some profitable work for the State. The adjournment of the debate was moved by Mr. Oraigie and the House rose at 10.-12 p.m., till 2.30 on Tuesday.