PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 65, 21 June 1916, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCI',.

JPER i’HKHS JLSSOCIAXrON. Wellington, dune 20. The Council met at 2.00 p.m.. when the following Bills were read a second time; Now Zealand Insurance Co., Trust Expiring Laws Continuance; nnl the .Military Service Bills. The hitter was referred to the Statutes Kevision Committee, and the Council rose at 2.5'S p.m. I

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

IMPHKST SITBLY PASSED. An Imprest Supply .Hill, appropriating £951,800, was introduced by Governor's Message. Sir Joseph Ward said that there was no alteration on the schedules of previous years, except in respect of the amount of £SOO under the Swamp Land Drainage Act. The Bill was put through all its stages, and passed without discussion. An amendment to the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor s Message. The amendment empowers the Government to expend £IOO,OOO in assisting soldiers on the land, instead of £50,000 as provided in the Bill.

The House then went into committee en the Bill.

! The Prime Minister said that since the House last met he had discussed Clause 7 with the Minister of Finance, and they had come to the conclusion thai the clause was no! necessary. He therefore moved to strike out the clause.

Mr J. Payne said that such a proceeding meant that the Government would have an absolutely free hand to do as it pleased. Sir J. G. Ward said that there must bo flexibility, but no n »c should suppose that any Government was going to issue debentures at 5 per cent., tree of income-tax, if it could avoid it. On a division on Mr Payne's amendment (this was moved on Kriday night), to eliminate the exemption of holders of debentures from the in-come-tax, the amendment was negatived by 37 to 9.

A new clause was added, on the motion of Mr Massey. reducing the maximum within the meaning of the Land for Settlements Act of 190 S, in the case of lands situated more than live miles from the cities of Auckland, Wellington, Christehmch. or Dun.edhi. SHORT BU DGET. DEBATE. When the House resumed at 7..''.() p.m.. when it was expected that the debate on the Financial Statement, v.;oiild commence. Mr o'. Witty rose, and asked to be supplied witli the increased cost of the Cabinet, under the new conditions. Be commented adversely on the increased charges involved by extra Ministers and secretaries, and their travelling expenses. He also remarked upon the cost attachled to the recent opening of the sanatorium at Hanmer.

Hon. W. D. S. McDonald said that the information required involved the cost of secretaries and other charges, which could not he given offhand. Hon. A.- T. Ngata then moved that progress be reported. Hon. \Y. I). S. McDonald said that it was desirable to press- the first item before progress was repotted. Mr G. W. Forbesargued that the Hon. J. A. Hanan's services as a Minister should be paid. Mi- G. J. Anderson said that Mr Hanai) was doing good work as a Minister of Education and should receive

a salary. ' Mr L. M. Lsfet said that it was not in accordance with the dignity of the House that Mr Hanan should not be paid, particularly as lie was doing work as a Minister in a thoroughly earnest and capable manner. The first item, Legislative Council Salaries and Other Charges, £1950, v, as reported and the House rose at 7.. V) p.m.