PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 18 January 1922, Page 1

PARLIAMENT

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION]

THE COUNCIL. WELLINGTON, Jap. 17. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m.

The Local Bodies Finance and Municipal Corporations Amendment Bills were put through the final stages and passed. The Loan Companies Amendment Bill was taken in Committee and progress was reported. The Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Amendment Bill was introduced and read a first time.

Insurances Companies Deposits Bill and Lite Insurance Amendment Bill were also read a first time, while the Factories Bill was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Labour Rills Committee. The Council rose at 2.55 p.m.

THE HOUSE

The House met at 2.30 p.m

Tlie Tramways Amendment Bill (Hon ,f. G. Coates) was introduced and read a first time.

The Country Telephone Lines Amendment, Companies Amendment, and Public Trust Office Amendment Bills were put through all stages and passed. RETRENCHMENT PROPOSALS.

The retrenchment proposals were explained by the Premier. The reductions includes Ministers’ and members’ salaries by 10 per cent. Statutory salaries of public servants are not interfered with, hut the second cost of living bonus of £SO is taken away in three graduated cuts, dating from Ist January and thereafter every three months. Hourly wages are reduced by a shilling per day. These and other economies are estimated to save four millions. Tlie House rose at 12.10 a .in.