PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 52, 5 June 1916, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. FRIDAY'S SITTING. f*KE IMESe ASSOCIATION. Wellington, June 1. When bile House met at 2.30 p.in. the Premier gave notice to move that a Select Committee be appointed to enquire into the extension of industries of the country.

Mi- Fletcher (Wellington Central) brought before the Minister of Publi, Health a resolution to be considered by the Wellington branch of the British Medical 'Association that night: "That during the present lodge dispute it shall be deemed unethical for any member of the Association to meet professionally any medical practitioner who is hot a member of the Association."—Hon. G. W. Russell replied that be was extremely surprised to hear that the British Medical Association would refuse to meet any fellow practitioner in consultations, whether he was a member of the Association or not. If any such proposal were passed he would bring before the Cabinet a proposal to deal drastically with any man who refused to meet in consultation a fellow practitioner.—Discussing answers given on Wednesday last to questions, Mr C. H. Poole strongly affirmed that the records of soldiers should be kept in a fireproof building. Hon. W. Fraser said that the present building was a temporary expedient, and every preaution was taken to guard against fire. Mr Harris urged the claims of friendly societies for State subventions, and hoped that, the promised legislation would be introduced quickly so that the matter could be discussed (bis session. Several other speakers endorsed this view, and Mr 'Massey said that the matter was before the Cabinet, and so far as he was concerned it would, receive favorable consideration. Mr Payne urged that the House should come to a resolution in the matter of Germans, or men of German parentage, in the Army and the Civil Service.

Mr Webb contended that, in view of tho cost of living, old-age pensions should be increased by five shillings per week. He asserted that old people could not live upon ten shillings per week. , _ ■ i • ■ Dealing : w,ith questions and arguiu't.is rou'vriiing the cost of living. ■ M; \ : M ussey.stated, that his officer's hadmade ■ eui.|;ntries jtlutt; day,.pnndi found tlin_ ;. lib loaf could be purchased over .the counter for #d< f»H<t td'so- stated .that flour could be I purchase f d» ( tha,t day it: Wellington for £l2 a ton. less 2$ per cent. , (Hear; hear!) ~ .':;■' ;' '• NEW BILLS: ■ . i*i: -, • ' -l* • • ■ ; »"; The following Bills wove, introdticed by Mr Payne:—War Relief of Soldiers' Dependents; Baby Bonus; Lands Act Amendment; Limitation off Area of Holding Bill; Taxation of Unearned Increment on Sale of Lands, ; These were read a first time. " A PROTEST ' AGAIT>Xt PAYNE. Mr Isitt . entered a protest-* 1 against the "waste* oft time and money by the attitude of Mr Payne in introducing day after day, Bills that bad no chance of getting through. He already had fifteen upon tthe Order Paper, and there was no' possible chance of them ever /being heard of again. If each o! the 80 members ill'the House were to act similarly, in order to get an opportunity for talking, it. would cost the taxpayers £4OOO to £SOOO. Mr Massey thereupon moved that, in future, Government business should take procedure upon all days. MILITARY SERVICE BILL. On resuming after the dinner adjournment the House went into committee on the Military Service Bill. A debate that followed on the short title was led by Messrs McCombs, Webb, and Hindmarsh, who used familiar Labor arguments in opposition to the measure. Mr Isitt defended [the principle of the Bill, while Mr Pearee suggested that a census should be taken at once so that complete information as to the manhood of the country should he available. ) J

Mr Payne protested that on the figures obtained by the voluntary system, t'ne Bill was not necessary, and i.e argued Lhat there was no equality of sacrifice under the Bill, as exemptions would prove.