PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1922, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

[BV TELEGRAPH —CEB PRESS ASSOCIATION j

THE HOUSE. _ , WELLINGTON, Feb. 3. % Mr Wilford fnoved as an amendment that the railway vote, be reduced by £lO as an indication that the deviation at Palmerston North be not proceeded 1 with, pending further investigation. He ( claimed that his amendment would release much money to meet local requirements, which were being asked for all over the Dominion. The amendment,, was defeated by 42, to 19.

The Minister in reply, said the neglect to answer correspondence in the case referred to by Mr Reed w*s occidental. The Department has ordered 2500 trucks and forty-five engines at the time when the workshops were unable to undertake building, owing to shortage of material and men during “•’"’V the war. As soon as these trucks and I engines arrived ,the workshops would be able to keep pace with the requirement. The question of a commercialagent. was being considered. Motor competition with the railways was not as serious as many supposed. The General Manager would endeavour to visit the south this autumn.

Messrs Witty, Bartram and Hunter detailed a series of disabilities under which settlers were suffering, owing to the peculiarities of the railway management.

Sir J. Luke thought everything considered, our railways were not doing so badly when compared with other countries. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The House spent the greater part of the day discussing the railway estimates which was passed shortly before 5.30. At the evening session the “WashingUp” Bill and Land Laws Amendment Bill were put through tho final stages. ■ The Divorce, and Matrimonial Causes Amendment Bill was read a secend time on the voices.

The House rose a 12.40 a.m., until eleven o’clock a.m.

THE COUNCIL. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. Hon Samuel presented a petition from representatives of freezing com-' panies and meat produce exports’, association, praying that they be heard in_connection with the Meat Export Control Bill. The Roman Catholic Archbishop Empowering Bill wag passed. Urewera. Lands, and Government Railways Amendment Bills were read a first time. , The Native Band Amendment and Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement amendment bills were read a second time pro forma and' referred to the Native Affaire, and Lands Committee respectively. The Dentists’ Amendment Bill was further considered in committee. On the motion of Sir F. Bell, new clauses • were added to provide that returned soldiers whose period o| office was interrupted by war service, might sit for examination, after satisfying the Director of Health that they had had two years continuous practice prior to . the passing of the Act or two years’fOmtinuous practice prior to the war. and one year’s continuous practice prior tf#. the passing of the Act or one years cdfpassed.