PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 2 December 1927, Page 3

PARLIAMENT

(By Telegraph—l J er Press Association.) THE HOUSE. WELLINGTON. Dec. 2. The House met at 11 a.m. Replying to the Leader of the Opposition, the Prime Minister said the report of the Joint Select Samoan Committee was ready for presentation and would be laid on the table at a suitable opportunity. The report of the Royal Commission on Samoa was ready. It had been signed by the Governor-General and had first to he considered by Cabinet, and he doubted if it could be laid on the table this session, but it would he made available to members and the

press. He had a statement prepared on the business transacted at the Imperial Conference. He was quite prepared to lay that statement on the table, hut he did not think an opportunity would arise for discussing it. Mr Holland—We don’t want it unless we can debate it.

Continuing his remarks the Prime Minister said no change had been matte in the method of communication between the Home authorities and the Dominion. There was optional power t« do this if the Government thought it advisable, but they had retained the existing channels as being perfectly satisfactory. As the result of further discussion the Prime Minister said he doubted his ability to provide a day for a discussion, and Mr Holland reiterated his objection to the statement being laid on the table if it was not to be discussed, and matters were left at that. Replying to Sir G. Hunter, the Prime Minister said it was not intended to proceed with the Education Amendment Bill this session. Hon. W. Downie Stewart moved the second reading of the Finance Bill, emphasising the points already tele-

graphed. Mr Holland asked how far the Government was prepared to go in carrying out the principle laid down in Clause 26 under which the Government entered into business to purchase wheat from Australia. That seemed to be one of those Socialistic transactions in which the Government in dulged from time to time. He win not objecting to it but he wonderec how far the Government was prepar ed to go in that direction. I Mr Forbes commented upon tin fact that the Bill -authorised tin raising of loans amounting to sevei millions. It was true it would no

all be expended in one year, bn: the amount of money being raised mint cause apprehension to serious ti. nking people. Was all this expenditure necessary. Were all the railways under construction needed These works should be put under tbe most critical examination and unless they could stand up to paying, they should not be gone on with no matter whether they were in the North or .South Island. Sir J. Luke said lie was not a pessimist. He had every faith in the future of the country but in view that we were proposing to borrow a further seven millions he issued a warning that this heavy borrowing could not go on unless we simultaneously increased the production of the country.

Mr Lysnnr objected to expenditure on irrigation works while there was so much land lying idle. They should settle those lands first before spending large sums on irrigation. He approved of the vote for Singapore base as an insurance. The House rose at 1 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. THE COUNCIL.

DEBATE IN CO AIM ITT LF. WELLINGTON, Dee. 2, The Legislative Council resumed its discussion this morning on the Licensing Amendment Bill, going straight into the Committee stage. Hon. Reed moved an amendment to provide for a 521 —17J majority for the carriage of prohibition. Hon. Smith defended the principle of a bare majority which obtained as a recognised principle in New Zealand. Hon Tsitt maintained that prohibition had fought for a bare majority and could not give ground now that they bad secured it in tbe Bill. There was no possibility of their making such a sacrifice.

Hon Reed said he was in favour of a sane handicap being given to tbe prohibitionist, and he asked for a faiitrial of what he. proposed. Hon Sir AY. Hall-Jones submitted that wrong would bo done to the people if tile decision of the peoples representatives in the House was altered in any respect ,and he declared the Bill should be passed in its present form. Hon Gow urged that the amendment would impose n greater handicap on the prohibitionist than they already had. and lie proceeded to argue that the abolition of the third issue would he to the benefit of the continuance party. As against this, Hon Reed quoted figures in support of his contention that prohibitionists would make the biggest gain, receiving a majority of over a 1000 on the basis of the voting at the last poll. Several speakers deprecated the juggling of figures and the use of the supposition that nine-tenths of State Control votes would go to continuance.

Hon Malcolm argued that a majority of those who supported State Control did so because they wanted licensing reform. The amendment- was carried by -L votes to 11. On the motion of Sir F. D. Bell, a clause providing for registration of barmen was deleted from the Bill, after a brief discussion. Hon Reed then moved a now clause providng for six year polls, in order to give some stability and enable licensees to make iniprovemnts to their premises. Hon Malcolm raised .an objection that once that was conceded there would he demands for ail extension to nine or twelve years. Hon Isitt said that the proposal would result in a further loss in the hold on trade. Hon Gow argued that the iK-riod should not !>e increased until the period between general elections was extended. Hon. Reed further explained that ho did not aim at assisting the trade so much as the moderate ’licensee, who wished to improve his premises. He referred to the dilapidated condition of many hotels. Sir Robert Stout also opposed an extension. Sir F. I). Bell said if prohibition were carried he wanted a six years’ interval to see t»io reform established. < Hon. .Malcolm declared that the extension would enable the trade to amass greater funds with which to fight polling campaigns. The Council adjourned at this stage.