PARLIAMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2751, 28 June 1924, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

Tlie House settled down to work after (lie opening formalities on Thursday.

An early opportunity was taken by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr T. M. Wilford) to give formal notice of his intention to move an amendment to the Address-in-Reply, which is to ho moved by Mr .T. Bitcliener (Waitaki). Mr Witty (Riecarton) asked whether steps would he taken to see that in future strike ballots affecting Government employees were conducted under proper supervision, and that only the votes of those who have marked their papers shall he recorded for or against a strike. Hr F. Lye (Waikato) asked, in view of the very heavy freights on dairy produce, consideration will he given (o the question of a reduction. The Leader of the Opposition will ask in the House at the first opportunity if the Minister of Health intends this session to introduce legislation to help the women of Now Zealand during child-birth. Mr P. Fraser (Wellington Central) will want to know whether the Pensions Act could he amended so as to extend the benefits to the wives and families of invalids.

Mr T. K. Ridcy (Dunedin South) wants to know whether a copy of the proceedings of the Imperial and Economic Conferences will be made available and whether the House will he given an opportunity of discussing the resolutions. The Minister of Agriculture will lie asked by Mr S. G. Smith (Taranaki), what steps have been taken to prevent the introduction of foot and mouth disease into New Zealand.

Mr P. Fraser (Wellington Central) was anxious to know whether the Minister in charge of the State Advances Department (Air Massey) would, in view of the house short-age,-pursue the house building policy of the Department with renewed and increased activity.

Numerous questions were asked by various members with respect to details of advances under the Act of last, session and if all the returns asked for under this heading are produced with promptitude someone will have to work many hours overtime.

Mr Sidey has achieved a record for the number of occasions on

■..hieii he lota introduced Bills dealing with the subject of conserving daylight hours. These measures have usually gone by the name of tire New Zealand Mean Time Bill. Mr S ; 'ley has altered the title this v, nr. He gave notice to move for leave to introduce a Summer Time Bill.

TWO DIVISIONS

Wellington, Last Night. ' A taste of what the session is likely to lie, was given to-night. Early tin's afternoon, (lie Finance Minister yet out to get the imprest Bill through. Immediately an amendment arose and it was close on midnight before tlie first division was reached. The division was on a Labour Amendment, which was defeated bv of) votes to 17. Just after midnight, a Liberal amendment was defeated by 37 votes to 34. The idea of the amendments was to have Public Service salaries readjusted oil the 1914 basis, the Labour limit being set at £511(1 and the Liberal amendment at £320.