PARLIAMENTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 42, 24 May 1916, Page 7

PARLIAMENTS.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. YESTERDAY'S SITTING. Per Press Association. Wellington, May 23. The House met at 2.30 p.m. lit. Hon, W. E. Massey moved that on and after Wednesday, May 21, and for the remainder of the session, Government' business should take precedence on Wednesdays and after local Bills on Thursdays. He scaled that considerable business of extreme importance connected with the war had to be disposed of. Mr T. M. Wilford (Hull) desired a definition of the' war legislation. Did it include he asked, taxation, disgorging of war profits, and cost of living 1 J He promised the fullest support in passing legislation dealing with these subjects.

I Mr J. Payne (Grey Lvnn) contended j # * *' 7 that if members were prevented from considering important matters affecting soldiers and other important matters they should as a protest resign, if passed, the, motion would block several Bills of which he had given notice. These included the You Zeidlitz Grant Restitution, Fair Rent, State Bank, and Limitation of Interest Bills. Mr C. H. Poole (Auckland West) complained of the inadequate nature of [the Governor’s' Speech. If the Speech (had outlined the Cabinet’s intentions there would have been no necessity for that debate. He complained the people'were under the heel of the exploiter, Passing the motion meant placing a gag on members, and be made an appeal for free speech. Mr G. Witty (Rifccarton) was surprised at the motion being brought jdown so early in the session. He asked the Prime Minister to state what legislation would be brought down. Ho protested against the shameful exploit ation now going on ? which was respon-j si hie for the increased cost of living, j The attitude of the Government was I not fair to Parliament or to the couu-

.Mr Webb (Grey) also opposed Hie motion. He complained that the Na.tinnal Government was not playing tingame with members in taking private ! members’ day so early in the session. | .M; U. A. Wright (Wellington suhlurbH against the. GovernIment's attitude, as the cost of living jaiui rents had been affected by the war. Mr Massey said the passing of the motion would save time and the connjtry’s money. The object, of the rosolujtiou was to alhpy the Government to get on with war legislation. The House jwonld have eVeVy opportunity ‘of discussing the cost of living and other matters later on. They had to deal with ’.the Pensions Bill, tlie Land for Sol'diers’ Bill, the Military Service Bill, 'and amendments .to the War Regulations. Where exploitation was reported immediate action would be taken, |lmt up to the present no cases, Jiad ( bcen referred, ,tp Ipm. There had never jbeen a Government which had done,so much to keep down the cost of living as the National Government had. He condemned tire utterances of some members this session, which, -if. persisted in, would lead to a scene that would he a disgrace to the House. | The motion was carried by 35 votes to 13. DAYLIGHT SAVING. The Napier Harbor Board Empowering Bill (Mr J. V. Brown), and the 'Definition of Time Bill were read a first

time. Mr T. K. Sidey, in moving the latter, pointed out that the principle of the Bill was in force over the greater part of Europe and also in Britain. He regarded the Bill as an economic necessity in the present war time. He hoped ,the opportunity would be given to put the measure on the Statute Book. | Mr G. V. Pearce (Patea) said the cables showed the effect of the measure would be restricted at Homo to the duration of the war. He felt sure farmers in the Dominion would not take kindly to the measure, j Mr W. Nosworthy (Ashburton) opposed the Bill. Messrs Poole, Wilford. Payne, Harris and Young supported the motion, which was carried.

j A number of other private members’ I Bills wore read a first time. I LIMITATION OF INTEREST HATES. Referring to the Limitation of Interest Rates during the War Bill, Sir Joseph Ward said the banks had acted most fairly through the present crisis and had kept tiie rates from to 6 per cent. He quite opposed the principle of arbitrary fixture of rates of interest ns inimical to borrowers. SOLDIERS’ PENSIONS. On resuming after dinner. Mr Alien moved the second reading of the War Pensions Amendment Bill, He outlined the principal alterations. Clause 3 enacted that the provisions of the principal act should apply to members of the Expeditionary Force prior to the date of their departure from New Zealand. The clause extends the benefits of the Act to the persons engaged in New Zealand on military service in connection with the war. Clause 7 is substituted for section 13 of the principal Act. It omits all reference to the ages of applicants, and is extended so as to apply to parents of disabled soldiers, as well as to parents of deceased soldiers. It also provides that a pension granted to a widowed mother whose son was her sole support shall not in any case be less than the pension would bo payable to his wife. Clause 8 extends privileges as to payment of pensions out of New Zealand. Clause 9 is substituted for section lo of the principal Act. It provides that the Board shall not take into consideration the income or property of applicant in computing the amount of the pension payable to a member of the forces or to his wife and children. Clause 10, speaking generally, provides that pensions commence as at the date of death, or from date of discharge in respect to disablement. This clause allows the Board to fix another date—

[ (a) where applications are made after ! the proper time; (b) where pensions '• are granted to wives married after dis- | ablcment of husbands or to children born after the death or disablement of their father; the benefits of the Act to lie extended to certain men serving on H..M.S, Philomel. Another clause allows the Board in special cases to grant. pension to a person not otherwise. entitled thereto, but has not sufficient means of support and has suffered loss because of the death or* disablement of a member of the' forces. Clause 13 makes special provision for computation'of pensions in cases where' pensions are also payable by tbe Inip'evial Government, or by Government of other parts of the Empire. Clause 1! validates payments of pensions out oil New Zealand.

The .Minister explained the alterations made in the schedules. The total rejected applications were 62. Twelve claims had been reduced, 171 men had received £52. In no case did any man receive less than 20s. Only twelve received that amount weekly. The present cost of the pensions system was £93,000. Pie said New Zealand was willing to do all she could irrespective of what any other nation was doing. Mr Poland said the provisions of the .Bill were Pie result of criticism of the Act passed Inst session. Even now themeasure did not go far enough. He contended that the pensions for disabled soldiers or dependents were phi adequate. He suggested that the Bill be referred to a select committee. Mr Webb contended that the pensions were not sufficiently generous. They must adversely affect recruiting. He said there was a danger of invasion by colored races. The services of the men giving their blood in time of crisis were not being properly recognised.

Dr. Newman wished to impress upon the Government that 5s per week was not enough for maintenance of a child. Mr Buddo did not consider the Bill covered all the objections made last year. He did not think the provisions for widows sufficient. Mr Brown (Napier), hoped that widows would be given 80s, and childien 7s 01 per week. Mr Sidey (Dunedin South) thought the Government should err on the side of liberality. Mr Wilford (Hutt) said wives who bad incomes were hotter off under the new Bill, but the position had not been improved for wives without means. He contended the pension should he as generous as we can afford. The Bill could be further improved by reference to a small select committee. The debate was adjourned, and the House rose at 11.15 p.m.