PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1918, Page 1

PARLIAMENT

THE HOUSE. , ' WELLINGTON, April Kith. In the- House in the afternoon, the discussion on Air. McCombs ameiulmeiicl to the recommendation of the C-ouiic-il on the Finance Bill was continued.

A division was taken on Mr. McCombs’s amendment, which was lost Jiy 54 votes to 9. The Speaker then put Sir Joseph Word’s proposals under which regulations arc to he framed after a eonlorcncc between Capital and Labour, within fourteen days of Parliament opening, and if they are' not approved they shall cease to have effect.” This was carried bv 59 votes to 3. COST OF LIVING.

The Prime Minister read a lengthy statement- covering the operations ot the Board of Trade, from which lie argued that- the cost of living had increased less in New Zealand than in anv other part of the Empire, or in the world, the increases ranging from glLfi to 27.4 in New Zealand. Everything possible to keep down the cost of living had been done. It was impossible to entirely succeed during a time of war, and the Government simply had to grin and hear the criticism ot politicians who desired to make capital out of the position. THE SHIPPING OUTLOOK.

Referring to the shipping mith- k Mr Massey said that he feared there would he bad times for three mouths to come. During the Argentine season the ships would go there, but iy!i"’i that season ended, about August, he thought the ships would coine to New Zealand again. He did not think New Zealand would suffer much frony the scarcity of shipping, because the freezing companies had greatly increased their storage capacity. All the cheese would go, and all the butter would also no doubt go, hut a fair proportion of itwould have to stand over until the ships came hack. There wore 2], mil-

lion carcases of moat- in store, and instructions from the Imperial Govern-

ment were to give preference to beef. Tie did not (think all the meat could be got away, hut he - did think the .greater part- of it would be shipped. New Zealand had come well out of the war. hut production must he maintained as long as possible. TH E ENEMY OFFENSIVE.

The Prime Minister said that lie thought the Allies lintl now turned the corner on the Western'front. It was his own opinion, of course. Mr Massey read a lengthy telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, outlining the course of event's on the Western front, in which lie emphasised that the aim of Germany in the present battle was to destroy the llritish Armv. Mr. Massey, comment-

ing on this oomimmientiin, said ho did not believe that Germany would sue. eeed, and if she did not succeed, she was beaten. With-his inside knowledge of affairs, his feeling on the'war was much more optimistic than it had be»*n during the last few days. N Sir Joseph Ward said the message had been sent out by the British Government with a full sense of responsibility, to let. the'world know what they thought of the position on the Western front. It was therefore, encouraging to receive such a message, which breathed words of confidence ' ; in the in t ropiditv of the British Army. THE WHEAT YIELD.

During on explanation of the wheat position the Hon. AY. D. S. MacDonald mentioned that the wheat yield for the

season would he only six million bushels. They would still have to go outside 7 for next year’s wheat supply. Australia could not be looked to for a good milling wheat at a cheap price. MEMBER FOE GREY. Just before the Parliamentary session closed Mr. Pavne asked [permission to move without notice that leave of absence he granted to Private* P. G.

Webb, member for Grey, fob the session. Permission was granted, but. on the motion being, put. leave was refused on the voices. END OF SESSION. The House rose at 9.10 p.m., and thfourth session of the nineteenth Parliament was brought to a close by members rising and singing the National Anthem.