PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 30 September 1925, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

LUV TKI.KOKAI’U —PEK CHESS ASSOCIATION.] Till'. COUNCIL. WELLINGTON, Sept. 29. The Legislative Council passed a motion recording its high sense of the distinguished servi.c rendered by the late Hon Alac.Gibbon, ex-member of the Council. Tin* Native Lands Amendment Hill was passed through all stages and other Bills were advanced towards completion. THE HOUSE. Tlie whole of the afternoon sitting was occupied with a. discussion on tho reports of Select Committees. THE SHIPPING STRIKE. At the evening sitting the Prime .Minister made a statement on the subject of the shipping hold-up. Alter reviewing the history of the strike, lie said, that realising the urgency of tlie situation, lie had endeavoured to bring the contending parties together so that an agreement might lie reached. He could not make any statement as to the progress of negotiations, but if a settlement were not arrived at before long, it would he the duty of the Government to take steps to see that the ships are unloaded, loaded and sent to sea. Mr Coates out that there were fifteen overseas ship- in which New Zealand was immediately interested, all held up in our port-, with li million .sterling worth q produce unable to I e moved. There were a number of ships held up ill Aus-g----tralia which should have come on to~ New Zealand to lift produce. Thev . could not come according to schedule?' with the result that presently there would hr a shortage of tonnage to take dairy produce, meat etc. to the markets. The natural outcome of this must he that our markets were in danger of being raptured by foreigners, who already were moving in that direction.

Till'. COUNCIL.

WELLINGTON, Sept. 29.

Mi- Holland asked if an opportunity would he given to place the men's side of the ease before Parliament to-mor-

llr Coaies replied that lie had stated the facts fairly. Xo good purpose would be served by entering upon an acrimonious debate especially while

negotiations were in progress, and which he hoped would be successful. The Washing-Up Bill was put through all stages and passed.

The Minister of Lands moved the second reading of the Deteriorated Lands Bill which subsequently passed

all stages. Public Reserves and Domains Bill, Harbours Amendment Bill, Ashley River Trust. Bill, Hospital and Charitable Institutions Amendment Bill. Shipping and Seamen’s Amendment Bill were put through all stages and passed. The House rose at 12.d0 a.in. till lo.ao a. ill.