PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 77, 22 July 1914, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. [Peb I’kesh Association.] Wellington, July 21. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. Hon. H. I). Beil moved the second reading of the Legislative Council Bill. The Government, lie said, had gone to the people at last election with a proposal for the election of the Council by a.- vote of the people.. Since .189) there had been an increasing desire for a change in the 'constitution. The only difference was as to the form which? the change should take. Jf a change to election were made, the Council would represent the people. An elective Council could not he overridden,, except h.v the electors. Except in one detail, the Bill was the same as the one of 1912. Hon. George said the leader of the Council had made up his mind that the Bill should go through, and “specials” had been assembled to force the Bill through. Therefore he thought they should see that the best possible Council was elected. He would not vote for an elective Council upon the same franchise as the Lower House, as it only meant a duplication of the chambers. Tho debate was adjourned till 12.30 p.m. on Wednesday, and the House rose at 4.48 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. A petition circulated by the Federation of Labor, praying for the release of those committed to prison in connection with the recent strike, was presented by Air McCombs., The petition contained 9278 signatures. In reply to Air Davoy, the A 1 blister of Justice stated that he would be pleased to consider any objections to the Motor Bill before the second reading of the Bill was taken. LOAXS AX.D FIXAXCE. Mr Allen laid on the table the return made to the order of Sir Joseph Ward showing the amounts raised in London, other than by way of loan. The Loader of the Opposition at once started a criticism of the Government’s methods of raising loans, contending they were following methods not regarded favorably in London.

Air Allen said Sir Joseph Ward had got all he asked for in the return. Xow that he had got it lie wanted something else. He regretted that the Opposition was trying to make partycapital out of the country’s finance. T! ds he strongly deprecated, because it was highly detrimental to the public credit. He defended the method of raising money in’London, which was in the interest of economy. The most complete answer to their opponents’ criticism was that the last loan was subscribed five-fold by the British public. The finances of the Dominion were thoroughly sound, and in proof thereof he quoted that a loan of £30,000 had con raised in February last at the remarkable rate of £3 19s I,od.