PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 96, 13 August 1914, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

[PHB PbESS ASSOCIATION. J r ••■■ Wellington, August 12. ■ The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. and adjourned temporarily at 3.55 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 7.30 p.m. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. In reply to Mr Wilkinson, the Premier said that legislation would be introduced to enable local bodies to make grants towards the war fund. In reply to Mr Wilkinson, who asked the Minister of Finance if he would state what policy was being followed in connection with the Advances to Settlers Department, Mr Allen said advances had been postponed from week to week. The Government was prepared to fulfil all its responsibility, but a circular had been sent to local bodies asking them to postpone the commencement of new works wherever possible. With regard to advances to settlers, Cabinet had not yet decided what course it would follow, but it would assist the Government materially if local bodies would not, for the present, send in claims for new works. Obligations in connection with works in course of completion would be carried out.

In reply to Mr Witty, the Minister said commitments to settlers would be carried out. WAR RISKS. Sir Joseph Ward asked the Premier what had been* done with regard to the provision of war risks on exports. This matter was of vital importance, and unless something was done the condition of things would bo gravely disturbed. Unless some action were taken it would result in the hardening of prices. He read a iele"Tam from a. reliable firm stating that the war risk : from London was now 20 guinea's. This would produce stagnation in trade. Another important matter was the. exportation of. frozen moat. He waV informed that' tha freight' charges, we.ro .preventing, the feport ;of frozen produce to London, and while ,he recognised' -it.;was; necessary jto .. .transport .. men - . and. horses, he thought' companies should-.-bo allowed to; ship meat .by ,sifl &W" i •porlsv-'lf' <jxpbrU''wcr e : stdppbd« H.H'■ would mean a dislocation of-trade in the country;, j > -mi • j *•; ,i) jtj In support 1 of Sir Joseph Ward's statement, Mr C. A. Wilkinson (Egmont) pointed out that he had personally received a cable that his goods from New York would be subject to a 20 per cent. rate. The Premier stated that the Government had the matter in hand. ~ .; In reply to Messrs'Davy and Witty, Mr Thomson (chairman of the ; Education Committee) stated that so far as ho knew it .was the. intgntion ,of the Education Committee to continue the taking of evidence''concerning the Bihle-in-Schools Bill as soon as the committee completed consideration of the Education Bill. ;-(;■'.. ■ ; ''" PUBLIC REVENUE AMEND- . MENT. The Hon. A. L. Hcrdman moved that the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Mortgages Extension Bill be agreed to. The Hon. J. Allen moved the secloud reading of the Public Revenue Bill; giving power to raise sums of money by Treasury bills in aid of public works. The Treasury bills will be redeemed by monies obtained by subsequent loans. The provision asked for at the present time was £2,000,000, portions of which could bo allocated either for the war fund or the Public Works Fund. It was also proposed to increase the present authority to raise Treasury bills up to £1,500,000.

Sir Joseph Ward said he would not oppose the Bill, but thought it unwise to introduce matters which had no direct connection' with the present crisis. The Bill gave the Minister power to issue £4,500,000 worth of Treasury bills. That he considered too much power to place in the hands of any Minister. Further, the power taken was not temporary, but permanent. He regretted they had not had an opportunity of discussing the Bill before the Public Accounts Committee.

Several members spoho on the Bill. The Minister for Finance, in reply, said he welcomed criticism of the Bill, but there was necessity, apart from the war, to give the Minister a larger limit with regard to the issue of Treasury bills. He had no intention at present of expanding the note issue. On the third reading, Sir Joseph Ward said the necessity for placing the Government in a sound financial position overrode anything else. That was his reason for supporting the Bill. The Bill was read a third time and passed. The House rose at 11.20 until 7.30 p.m. on Thursday.