PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 59, 14 June 1916, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

PIUVATE BILLS

Per Press Association, Wellington, June l.'i

The House met at 2.30 p.m

The following local Bills were road a first time: Gisborne Borough Gas Hill, Hutt Park Amendment Enabling Bill!

Mr Ma.ssiy moved that Cor the reluaiuckii' of the session, Government business take precedence of all other business, excepting local and private Bills. The Premier said that the time of the House was being taken up b.v the introduction of private Bills, which had no possible chance of being passed into law during the present session, which was to be devoted to war business only.

Mr W. A. Veitch i.Wanganui). opposed the motion, and claimed that members had the right to have measures of a domestic nature discussed i'lry the House. He protested against the motion on principle. He cited the [Cost of Living, State Bank, Daylight Saving, Losses Incurred by Soldiers, ! Friendly Societies, and Trading with 'the Enemy Bills as matters of urgency He also complained that there had been no lead from the Government 'as to what their Imperial policy would l-,e, and he wished to know what was to'be done in regard to assisting the timber trade. He asserted that these land many other questions required attention, and should be disposed of before Parliament prorogued. He em!piratically protested against any curStailment of private members' pnvil-

egos. Mr G. Witty (Ricearton), endorsed the remarks of the previous speaker, and urged that it was imperative that the cost of living should be dealt with. He said that members wore willing to stop and put this business through. Mr C. H. Poole (Auckland West), 'supported the motion, and argued that the best results could only be secured, so far as the war was concerned, if the jcountrv was satisfied and contented. Mr T K Bidcy (Dunedin South,, protested against the motion., winch Mr W Nosworthy (Ashburton) supported. The latter said that the much vexed question of the cost of living had been boiled down into a question of standard of living. . Mr J. McCombs (Lyttelton), said that members' privileges were being filched from them, and lie strongly opposed the motion. Mi' Massev asserted that every opportunity luvd been provided for discussion. He considered that Pari. - ment cost about £3O per hour, and' every (lav so far the House had wasted about three hours. Members had tak-< L» in an unprecedented manner the advantage of a defect in the Standing Orders. He indicated the business yet to be placed before the House. This included the Discharged Soldiers Land Settlement Bill, certain war legislation, the Financial Statement, ana War Profits Bill. The fact that one or more Ministers might have to visit England had nothing to do with the motion he had that day proposed The motion was carried, on a division, by 40 to 12. ~,v,,-vt WAR REGULATIONS AMFADMi-.NI The War Regulations Act Amendment Bill was read a first time, Mr Herdman indicated that the Bill included proposals for dealing with the liquor traffic and venereal disease. Several members congratulated the Government on bringing down the liquor proposals. ■"• , Mr L. M. IsKt hoped that the boIveinment would take advantage of the noble vote over the water. Mr T. M. Wilford urged that the time has arrived for the Government to take over control of tfte liquor tia'fli'- ' , n Mr C. H. Poole wished that the government bad been a little more courageous, and placed the hotels under the Shops and Offices' Act. J Tiie Premier said that owing to extreme pressure of Cabinet work he would ask the House to adjourn until 2.30 to-morrow. This was agreed to, and the House rose at 4.25 p.m.