PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1921, Page 1

PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS

STKCIAH TO OI'AKIHAN. REPLIES TO QUESTION'S. W ELLINGTON, Dee .. A big batch ot printed answers to questions was circulated to-day . I hose qlieslions have been accumulating tor a month and many of them have ceased to be important, or have been answered in other forms. The Minister for Defence stales that the general headquarters staff is smaller and less expensive than hoi ore Hie war. Fewer senior officers are employed than in RH I The Minister for Customs slates that Government intends to negotiate with Australia l-r tariff reciprocity during the recess Communications have been exchanged already and the Federal Gov- , |-niiit'iil lias staled its readiness to discuss ivcinrueul arrangements as scon as [he Australian tariff is completed. Government does not consider It necessary to appoint ,-oinmeroial agents t,i .|,|vise ill. General Manager of Railways. Experience in ether countries has not -Imw a that change in system of management would lead .» better result<. Lo—es <oi tic railway systems mil, to all countries at present. 'l'he Postmaster-General states Government L considering the repeal of . hnv nrohihit ing transmission to racecourses of telegrams relating t.o Letting and investment on the totali-

sator. . Gevcrnniont is still considering Hie issue of eel titivates to Ilmile Service

licensing laws. Tic Prime Minister gave notice that there should be set up a select committee to coil odor what amendments w ere required in the Licensing Laws, the Commit tee to consist of Messrs Harris. | ee Si r John I oke, Lvsiiar. Me( allum Savage, Stratham. Wright. Witty and the mover. . , , , A member Mr Isitt is not included. Air Ma'-sev I have endeavoured to Peep everybody ol extreme views off it Mr Hitt nli’ M- Massey. Voices What about T.vsnar am! Witty. . . Mr M Vom ilon't siiiisifost tn:it 11,0 V soprm t Dll' liquor interests. Mr Tsi 11 intimated very deeuledlv that 1c did. . M,. Aliev said that was a question vIDel. enuld he argued at the proper

l.i.Mt I ii ot SI'>..SH)N. licinljcis of Parau.mi'iil are uoiuleiing .still d they call i oiiiptelr Hair won, i.elore Hie I hristmas Holidays. A questiou on I lie subject was addressed U> the Prime .\iimsler in the House W• Mr Masse,, replied that be would not, l„- doing Ills duly to the niuiui.Y. >1 he aliempled lo bring Hie session Lo .1 elose hi'lore the business was eomiilcie... |[is own o| inioii was that then* was very lilLle probability ol hmshiiig the work before Xmas, if the session did not end before I lie holidays, be pio- | lu suggest that Parliament should adjourn on’ Dee. 2ffnl and meet again about January Sltli or lUth. It was not possible toi members lo complete their work before the holidays. They had ;i vui’v wood i»ro*ilvss with the* Tariff wit limit am neglect of duty, and if they wislie.l to get through the list ol tiie work before Christmas he would lie unite willing. T.AIi I EE AMENDMENTS. WELLINGTON. Dee. 7 Some amendment to the ( ustoms

Bill were intiodmed in the House in llie evening by A'ice-Regal message. The most important of iliem related to pi'oi-edtii'o in innn< - i'tiiui with Oiders-in-Couneil amending the tariff. Some menihei'S of the House asked that Parliament should lie consulted specifically regarding every order. They did not think that tie more laying of orders on the table of the House was sufficient. Several amendments on this point were di'leated.

Some amendments to Hie schedules of the new tariff were made by resolution. They provide aiming other things new s.'lu'dulcs ol duties mi motor ears, with encouragement to local mamilaetliters o! motor bodies.

Later in the evening the House discussed various jteins tha t had been held over fof lurtliei consideration when the schedules of the Customs Bill were being passed. An offer from the boot maiuilaetui'ers to establish a speeial factory for the production of children s footwear, if these articles were not immediately placed on the tree list, was placed before the House.