Second Edition. PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 34, 8 October 1915, Page 6

Second Edition. PARLIAMENT.

EARLY MORNING DEBATE. __ I lv : ' ; : / ' I I Per Press Association. Wellington, October 4. • Sir Joseph Ward, in reply on the Cost of Living Bill.debate, said most of the critics of the Bill displayed ignorance of what was on the Statute Book. All the power required to make the Bill effective already existed. As a matter of fact, when the. Bill passed. we have the most advanced law in the world. He quoted the Regulation of Trade and Commerce Act to show that the Government could now fix maximum and minimum prices, or could commandeer produce during time of war. When this Bill was passed, inquiry could he made, and then the system of control would be complete. He .had been asked to state in plain language how an individual exploiter could be got at hero. Then the Board to investigate transactions, and when that information was secured there was power under the Commercial Trust Act to prosecute any corporation or individuals suspected of exploitation. This Bill had been drafted having regard to the existing law, but that fact had been overlooked, with the result that many critics had been misled because they did not know what 1 the law was. The Bill had been criticised because the Board had no power to prosecute without reference to Mhe Government. Such power had not been given any Board even under the Labor Government in Australia. That was his answer to the charge that the Government was weak and vacillateiug. He denied that the Government taxation proposals put any burden on the workers. 'I he policy of'the Government was to keep interest rates down. This they were doing under the Bill. Great power had been given to local bodies to establish municipal enterprises in the interest rif the people, and if the powers were not used to regulate prices by .competition, then he would lie to reed to the conclusion that those local bodies were not sincere in the requests made forrth9.se powers. He proposed when in cwnmittee, tp move ail amendment gujing do,cal authorities power to " purchase trawlers lor the purpose of dealing; in ,fish as food supply. The second reading was cilrred oil the voices, apd the House went into committee on the Bill. • On the motion of ihe Minister, the number of the Board was' increased to three. The'Minister also moved the following as additional powot to he given to local authorities; “The establishment, equipment, and maintenance by borough councils of’trawlers for the purpose of engaging in fishing and harrying on by such councils of the business of dealing in tisli‘ THe clan .fc was agreed to, and the Bill recorded as amended. ■ The House went into committee on the Land Laws Amendment Bill- * Clause . 18,: providing..for the acquisition of the fee simple bf Crown lands in mining districts was opposed by leaseholders,., but was retained by 32 to 7. • I J Clause 20 was withdrawn by the Premier, and tho B'.ll was revolted at 4.30. The Cost if Living Bill was read a third time arid passed without discussion. r The Land Laws Amendment Bill was read a third time after Messrs. Witty, Webb, and ’Anstey had entered a protest against clause 18. The New Zealand University Bill was received from the Legislative Council and read a first time. The Post and Telegraph Amendment Bill, providing for fixed deposits in the Post (Office Savings Bank was put through all stages. Mr b Herdiuan moved that the amfendrneuts made in the Law Practitioners’ Bill be disagreed with, and Managers appointed,—Agreed to. , Mr Massey introduced the Shops ami Offices’ Amendment Bill, which was ' Tend a first time. The House rose at 4.1-5 till 11 a.m. after breakfast. Fwt Them Association. Wellington, OctoTTor 8. The House met at 11 a.m. The amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Counties’, Amendment and Municipal Corporations’ Bill were agreed to. The Railways Improvements Authorisation Bill was introduced by Governor’s Message and read a first time. Mr Merries explained that it was entirely a machinery measure. The Public Health 'Amendment Bill (No, 2), to remedy a defect in the existing legislation, and to prevent employees being compelled to take their meals under insanitary conditions; was read a second time. Mr Russell moved the second reading of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions’ Amendment Bill. He explained that it was to arrange an automatic basis, for payment of j travelling allowances' for members ot boards.—Agreed to. Mr Hanan moved the second reading of the Education Amendment Bill, He said the Bill was to reduce the number of boards to nine, which would make for greater efficiency and entirely in the interests of children. Mr Poland advocated rhe reduction of the number of hoards to five, which Was supported by Mr Parr. Mr McCallum opposed the Bill, which, , lie thought, was unfair. He moved that the Bill be read that day six months. The. House adjourned for luncheon.