JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1920, Page 1

JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

TALKED OUT AGAIN. (Our Parliamentary Correspondent.; WELLINGTON, Oct 16 The report of tlie Butter Committee recommending that the retail price of butter should be 2s 3d over the counter, the Government to pay a subsidy in order that the producer might receive 2s Gd, was before tlie House again for a quarter of an hour this afternoon. The report was talked out when it first appeared, and it was called on again today shortly before the tea adjournment. Mr McCombs, one of the Labour men, had the floor. He moved an amendment proposing that the prico to the consumers should be made up by an increase in land tax and death duties. Ho was still talking when the 5.30 adjournment came, so that the report of the Committee is' still in a state of suspense. The question will come forward again next week. A FAULTY RETURN. . ' A return showing the war service of members of New Zealand Parliament and of sons aiid brothers of members, was presented to the House on Thursday by the Prime Minister to-day. Mr Massey asked leave to withdraw the return. He said it was so full of inaccuracies to be, practically worthless. He proposed to refer . the return to the Defence Department for correction. Mr Jennings (Wqitomo) asked who had been responsible for the mistake. He recalled the fact that during the war many men who were serving in France were posted in New Zealand as shirkers and defaulters, Why did not ,the Defence Department make these mistakes. ■ Mr Massey replied that he could not answer that question. The return had been handed him and he laid it before the House. . It should, not be allowed to go on record in its present form. Mr Luke (Wellington North) .said the Defence Department had asked each member for information, and lie had to confess he had overlooked the mattei and failed to send the information. Other members might have failed in the same way.