PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 67, 23 June 1916, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Pkb I’krbb Ahsooiatton . Wellington, June 21. The Council mot at 2.H0 p.m., when, on tiie motion of Hon. R. Moore, the reports of the Lands Committee on Papers 5 and 7(5, relative to endowments for primary and secondary education, were agreed to.

An Imprest. Supply Bill for £951,000 was passed through all stages, and the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill was passed through committee, without omondment, in its final stages. The Council rose at 2.57 p.m, Wellington, June 21.

The Council met at 2.H0 p.m., when, on the motion of Hon. R. Moore, the reports of the Lands Committee on Papers 5 and 7(5, relative to endowments for primary and secondary education, were agreed to. An Imprest Supply Bill for £951,000 was passed through all stages, and the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill was passed through committee, without amendment, in its final stages. The Council rose at 2.57 p.m. Wellington, June 22. The Council met at 2.H0 p.m.

The Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Amendment Bill was read a first time. Hon. Sir Francis 801 l intimated that he proposed to take the-committal of the . Military Service Bill on Tuesday. The Council rose at 2.H5 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. When the House met, the Prime Minister gave notice to move that on and after Monday next the House meet at 7.M on Mondays. EARLY CLOSING OE HOTELS. in reply to Mr G. R. Sykes, the Prime Minister said that there was no proposal for the early closing ot hotels in the War Regulations Bill,, hut all the same the Government thought it only fair to hold back the Bill until the M to Z Petitions Committee, which was considering petitions on the subject. had reported on evidence they were taking. QUESTIONS.

Replying to questions, Ministers said that the Government does not consider it necessary to deal by legislation with the suggested 'curtailment of racing; that every possible assist-, anee will be given taxpayers in 5. compiling their returns; that the matter of giving railway concession tickets to men in Awapimi Camp who have weekend leave is under consideration ; that the railway tariff is at present under review, and that it is hoped to lie able to gazette at on early date certain alterations having for their object the adjustment of differenial charges which are included in the present tariff; the Government considers the acquirement of limestone deposits a matter for cooperative enterprise among the farmers concerned.

In reply to Mr A. Walker, who directed attention to a paragraph in the Dunedin Star alleging that a combination of South ; Island sawmillers had been formed, and that the price of timber had been raised by -Is fkl per 100 foot, Mr Massey said he would direct the attention of the Roard oi Trade to the matter. ESTIMATES. The debate on Mr G. V. Pearce’s amendment to go into Committee of Supply was resumed by Mr R. A. Wright, who argued that the taxation

of the goodwill of liquor bars would also favored higher taxation of motorcars and tyres from America. Ah R. P. Hudson advocated increasing the graduated income-tax by 50 per cent, and suggested that the wool tax should he based on a war profit of fourpence per pound. Ho strongly favored taxation of picture shows. Mr A, H. Hindmarsh favored taxation of unimproved values of land. He also favored an export tax on but ter, cheese and meat. Mr T. W. Rhodes thought the taxation of amusements would produce .1 larger sum than anticipated by the Minister.

Dr. Thacker urged that public works should bo carried on. He urged the Minister of internal Affairs to keep a keen watch upon what ho called “Huns in our midst,” in the slfltpe ot .cancer, tuberculosis, and private! diseases. Mr T. A. H. Field continued the debate till . 5 o’clock, when, : ino other members wishing £0 speak, the amendment was negatived on the voices.

The House wont into Committee 01 Supply to consider the estimates of i the Legislative Department, £H0,120, which passed without discussion. Department of Finance, £170,996, also passed without discussion. Jhe 1 ost land Telegraph vote, £1,HH0,059, was | under consideration when the House 'adjourned at S.HU. | Discussing the Post and Telegraph Department Estimates. jUr Witty complained of the excessive cost of telephone installations. Sir J. Gi. Ward said that the returns from telephones only, ’amounted to 1.43 per cent.

Horn A. T. Ngata mado a strong claim for increased wire accommodation between Napier and Gisborne, Sir J. G... Ward said that material was now being sent i,(}i;Wjard:.jfpr this woi.k. He alstl said that magazines would be forwarded for the use of soldiers lieu ‘of charge, but they could>not be sent to individuals.

j At 10.35, the vote was passed. | Working railways, £3,045,000, was next taken. Mr Veitch protested against the General Manager holding a position in DCpartiWfnt. He pointed out that the General Manager had not altered the policy or-ail-Iministriition, of the Department, which I was certainly a compliment to former management, and he regretted to hear 'of friction between the General Man* 'ager’and some of the staff.

A number of local grievances well !ventilated dtlring the discussion. Hon. \V. H. Herries stated that nearly alt requests involved expenditure of funds. Alarm bells were being installed at the most dangerous crossings. His relations with the Railwaymans Societies were,of the most cordial nature.

I AFTER MIDNIGHT Wellington, June 23. After the Telegraph Office closed, Mr Veitch strongly protested against the railway facilities at Wanganui being neglected. At Auckland about seven lines were in contemplation, while Wanganui had to be content with a . service similar to that in use twenty ■ years ago. He claimed fair treatment | in this matter for the district he represented. He again referred to the discontent amongst the staff, and asked the Minister to seriously consider his objection.

The clause passed at 2 o’clock. Progress was then reported, and the House adjourned.