PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 15, 4 September 1914, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

IP»b Pbmm Association. J Wellington, September 3.

The House met at 8.30 p.m. On the motion to go into Committee of Supply to consider the General Estimates of expenditure, Sir Joseph Ward raised the question of the electoral rolls. Ho complained that rolls were not available, and people had no means of finding out whether they were on the roll or not. Sir Joseph Ward said he did not propose to discuss the Estimates from a party point of view, but the House ought to bo told about the business the Government wanted to do. They might then be able to keep clear of contentious matters.

! Mr G. W. Kussell said the electoral rolls were not as far forward as they ought to ; *be. The Opposition should know when the elections were to be held, so that they might avoid party warfare during the national crisis. The Premier said that so far as was possible the Government would avoid contentious measures, but there were certain measures which had to be gone on with. He mentioned as measures which should be put through, the National Provident, Fire Brigades, Hauraki Plains, Public Bodies' Leases, Master and Apprentice, Local Railways, Local Grants and Subsidies, and Legislative Council Bills, which could be dealt with. There was also the Education Bill, a Loan Bill, an Electoral Bill, and a big consolidating measure dealing with the Cook Island. A Native Bill was also necessary. The measures mentioned could be put through without contention. The debate was continued until after midnight.

The first item in the Estimates was passed at 1.50, and the House rose.