PARLIAMENT.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 8 October 1919, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

The House yesterday considered tho Estimates in committee. The Hon. Gr. W. Bussell moved an amendment to the items set down for pensions, on the ground that widows' pensions were altogether inadequate, j After a lengthy debate, in which tho ■ Hon. Bussell was accused of taking liis . action for electioneering purposes, Mj4 Bussell withdrew the amendment, being j| promised by tho Premier that Cabinet I would consider the advisability of in- j creasing widows' pensions. In the House of Beprescntatives yes- ' terday Mr E. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) gave notice to ask the Minister of Internal Affairs: (J) Whether it is true that at tho present time ample supplies of koroseno arc in stock in the Dominion? (2) Whether it is also true that prices are at least 100 per cent higher than those prevailing before the war? (3) Whether the Minister will inquire into the cause of the high prices with a viow of having an adjustment in fide?

Mr W. H. Field has given notice to ask the Prime Minister whether the Government does not consider that tho time has now come for providing ’pensions to blind persons in indigent circumstances in civilian life in our community?

An emphatic refusal was given by Mr Massey to -a suggestion mado in tho House yesterday that tho Government should tako up and introduce a daylight saving bill. It was Sir Walker who mado the suggestion, and in support of it he quoted a resolution of tho Dunedin City Council. Mr Massey declared that, in view of tho failure of tho experiment in Australia, Canada, and United States it would be very unwiso to try it here.