PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 59, 5 November 1914, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

pat X KMI

Wellington, xNovemucr -1

jdou, Bell announced unit ttii agreemeat hau ucen come tu regaining an

amendments to tne t> ar emnirioiitious v aimauon mii, uy wmcu it was pmvulecl that tao iniis saoinu aot appij io tne disposal ol private trust Innas. Tire Washing-up pul passed ail stagos with machinery amendments.

The Industrial conciliation aad Ai - oitratioa Bill was rcau a urst time, and alter tao second reading Had boon moved, the debate was adjourned.

Alter the supper adjournment, -iron. Eurnshaw moved that tae second reading ol the Industrial unions and j ra-> des Unions Enabling Bill be taken on the lirst day of next session. Phis was agreed to, and tae Council rose at rU.ild p.m. until 9.PU a.m. to-morrow. HOUSE Of KEHsiESEH I A iiV US. In reply to Mr Buxton, the Premier stated that he was now in a position 10 say definitely that there was a shortage of wheat lor requirements tin February next, but the importations coming to hand would ualauce tne denciency. The Premier also stated that oho imperial Government had agreed to release the Muritai in time lor this season’s trade. Pile Government was also negotiating lor the arrival ol tlio Aaramea to assist in getting produce away. Mr Fisher moved the second reading ol a Bill to enable members ol the Maori contingent to vote at the general election, which was carried. The Premier announced that the Baud Agents Bill and the Shtips and Offices Bill would be dropped this session.

The House then went into Committee on the Supplementary Estimates. On the additional item oi £2OOO, covering the cost of the recent visit of His Excellency and the Miuister-in-Charge co Baratonga, Hon. Fisher stated that the total cost of the visit was £3737. The Premier said he was certain there would bo a shortage in the wheat supply. Healing with the statement that there was only 14 days’ supply ol wheat at Invercargill, Mr Massey said that he expected 3000 sacks in a few days, and Invercargill would got its share.

Speaking about the prohibition oi export of wool to foreign countries, the Premier said he did not think the action taken in prohibiting export would detrimentally affect markets. Sir Joseph Ward concurred in the action taken.

In accordance with the provisions of the Expeditionary Force Voting Bill, Messrs Bobertsou and Hindmaish were appointed selectors for the Labor party. Mr Fisher moved the second reading of the Expeditionary Forces Voting Bill, No. 2, which provided for taking the votes of the Native expeditionary force before leaving New Zealand. The Bill was read a second time on the voices.

Hon. J. Allen moved the second leading of the Defence Amendment Bill, which provided for a new contract with the Colonial Ammunition Company. In the afternoon Mr Ilussell continued the debate upon the Defence Amendment Bill, pointing out that the State would probably have to consider the establishment of Government ammunition factories. Mr E. Newman believed the State should undertake the manufacture of ammunition.

Messrs Wilkinson and Buick supported the establishment of a small Mirras factory by the State. Sir J. Ward said the previous speeches were evidently made upon the .upposition that New Zealand was to be invaded. So long as the State iiad the right to take over the Colonial Ammunition Company’s works the position was satisfactory.

In reply, the Minister pointed out that it was not fair to expect any company to put in a lot of new machinery without some compensation. The second reading was carried on tho voices.

The House agreed to the report of tiio conference upon the War Com libations Validation Bill, and Hie machinery amendments made in the Washing-up Bill by the Legislative Council. The Defence Amendment Bill was put through committee without amendment, read a third time, and passed. The Medical Practitioners Bill pass, ed through the committee stage with minor amendments, was read a third time, and passed. In the evening the whole amount of £210,919 was put through in a few minutes over the hour.

While the House was waiting for the Appropriation Bill, the Premier said he would give the members for Wellington South and Lyttelton an opportunity to move the third reading of Bills introduced by them, and which reached that stage. The Industrial Conciliation Arbitration Bill (Mr Hindmarsh) and the Industrial Unions and Trade Unions Bill (Mr McComb) were then read a third time and passed. lion. J. Allen stated that owing to the improved financial position, it had been decided to increase the amount of loans under the Advances to Settlers Act from .t‘soo to £750. The House resumed at 11 o’clock, when the Appropriation Bill was introduced and read a first' time. On the second reading, Mr Vcitcti criticised the return laid on the table giving the number of appeals made In members of the Post and Telegraph service against decisions of the Public Service Commissioners, contending it disclosed a most unsatisfactory state of afTairg. compared with other

brandies not under tiro Commissioners.

Hon. Herdman said tiro criticism of Mr Veitch was made without i>ny justification. Mr Atmore criticised tire vote of £525 to Mr- C. J 3. M orison for drafting a Native Bill, which he said was at the rate of £1 per lino. Mr Nosworthy read out some of the legal expenses of tho Ward Government to show that the Liberals paid largo sums to supporters for legal work done.