PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1917, Page 1

PARLIAMENT

THE COUNCIL

WELLINGTON, Aug. 22

The Council continued its consideration of the Juries Act Amendment 3ill. The debate’was further adjouyned on the motiion of the Hon. W. Earnsliaw, after the Hon. O. Samuel had delivered a speech lasting for two hours.

THE HOUSE

The House met, at -2.30. p.m

Replying to Mr R. A. Wright, the Premier stated that if it was desired by any community that Government butchers’ shops he opened in its midst application should he made by the local authority to the Government or to the Board of Trade . When an application came to hand the Government was willing to do in any centre what it had done in Auckland. A RETURN ASKED FOR. Mr. G. Witty asked for a return of the expenditure of £328 2s. Bd. spent in connection with the opening of the Queen .Mary Hospital for Returned Soldiers at Hainner.

The Hon. G. W Russell gave particulars of expenditure and in the course of his statement said that while his administration ol the Public Health Department may some times have been open to question, never luxd he heard any criticism of his administration of the affairs of returned soldiers. He justified the expenditure in every particular on the ground that it was made to enable those who subscribed to the hospital to see for themselves what provision had been made for the comfort of . soldiers. WAR LOAN DEBENTURES.

Replying to Mr. A. Harris, Sir Joseph* Ward;said that it was not possible to enable friendly,societies to take up more thaw £SOO worth of war loan debentures at 5 per cent. Whilo tne object was a worthy one, concession could not he granted to friendly societies without including other similar societies, which would make the proposal impracticable. ' The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. BUDGET DEBATE. The debates on the .Budget was resumed by Mr. R, A. Wright, and continued (by Sir John Findlay. Aftei the dinner adjournment Mr. L. M. Isitt continued the debate. At the close of Ids speech, Mr. Isitt, claiming the desire to aid the National Government by augumenting the funds at its disposal. moved an amendment in the direction that increased duties he imposed mi beer and spirits. Mr. J. Craigie seconded the amendment. lit. Hon. W. F. Massey said that he. did not wish to influence members but In? asked them to remember that there was? a proposal in the. Budget to increase these duties. He asked members to wait, until the Bill came down, when they could give effect to tlieir wishes. The carrying of the amendment‘would place the Finance Minister in a difficult position. The* amendment was declared by the Speaker, to ho lost on the voices. Hon. W. F. Massey declared that there was one point on which Cabinet was absolutely united and that was “Win the war,”. Mr. Lee was the next speaker. The adjournment of the debate was moved by Mr. H. J. H. Obey and the House rose at 11.15 p.m. ______