PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 5 November 1920, Page 3

PARLIAMENT

[PEU PRESS ASSOCIATION.—-COPYEIBHT.] THE COUNCIL. WELLINGTON, Nov. 4. The Legislative Council met at 2.30, p.m. The Education Bill was put through the final stages and passed with amendments. The Stonequarries Amendment and Native Washing-up Bills were also passed. The Workers’ Compensation Amendment (No 2), (Hon MacGregor), was read a first time. The Council agreed to the amendments proposed by the Governor-Gen-eral to the Housing Amendment Bill. The Mining Amendment, and Mun-i----pal Corporations and Counties Bills The Council adiourned till 11 a.m. tomorrow. WELLINGTON, Nov. 5. The Legislative Council met at 11 a.m., and adjourned immediately till 2.30 p.m. THE HOUSE. The House met at 2.30 p.m. After transaction of fornnl iusimss, it proceeded to discu s the ciJ.ut of the Committee on *• a Al:s..hige \moidnicnt Bill. Mr Isitt moved ihe report he referred, back for Lirth.v consid-ra-tion, but after a debate lasting till 10.25 p.m., the ameulment was eefe t ed by 44 to 25. .’he amen lin ml made by tho Legislative Council was then agreed to, with the exception of punishment by imprisonment for one year. Mr Holland made an attempt to make fi rfcher changes in the Bill, but tlu.se were defeated by 43 to 24. The House rose at 2.2 Ba.m. till r.ocn | to-day. WELLINGTON, November 5. Tho House met at noon. Replying to Mr Holland, the Prime Minister said ho conld not state at present what was tho nature of the Legislation forecasted by him the previous evening. Mr Holland asked if it in any way related to the Arbitration Court’s grant of an additional cost of living bonus. Mr Massey.—l cannot tell you, but he could say this, he would not bring down legislation that would nullify the Court’s demand. Replying to Mr Jones, Mr Massey said Government would do all it could to see that freights on produce sent oversea were kept down to as reasonable a rate as possible. Mr McCombs asked if Government would empower the Arbitration Court to make grants of the increased cost of living bonus applicable at once over the whole Dominion simultaneously. - Mr Massey replied that he was not satisfied with tho figures touching this question, and intended to have them closely scrutinised. He thought, however, that we were now over the ton of high prices of potatoes in Canterbury and said the price of tea was already lower and be believed after Xmas it would be found there was quite a marked fall in the cost of living. Tho Minister of Agriculture informed Mr Statham that he hoped to bo able to arrange for a supply of wheat so that small millers who were now faced with a shortage, would not have to shut down. The Minister of Works, replying to Mr Seddon said the dispute at Otira over wages had been settled. There had been a brief stoppage of certain work owing to a shortage of cement, but arrangements had been made to meet this difficulty. Replying to Mr Wilford, who asked if Government were doing anything regarding , the" appointment of a. Commissioner or other representative of Government in United States, the Premied said he sympathised with tho suggestion ,but one difficulty was that of salary. It had been apparent lately that a great political change was comI ing in America and it was advisable

not to do anything definite until they saw what was the outcome of that change ,which might have a considerable effect on New Zealand trade. The Minister of Education said he believed the Department would be able to obtain at once a portion of the Lyttelton gaol site for the benefit of the Lyttelton school. '