PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 97, 26 July 1916, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (Per Press Association). Wellington, July 25. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. anti after the transaction, of formal business, adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m

Mr G. tY. Russell gave notice of ins intention to introduce a Bill providing for the censorship of cinematograph films. c Mr W. D. S. McDonald gave notice of his intention to introduce an Orchard Tax Bill. The Legislative Council Amendment Bill was received from the Council and read a first time.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS

Mr Massey, replying to Mr H. Okey, said the Government had not received any communication regarding the Dardanelles Commission.

Replying to Mr G. V. Pearce, the Premier said the arrival of a steamer In Wellington with a German name had not been overlooked. The closest' enquiry was being made, and the Government would see that the British people were not prejudiced thereby. He hoped to he able to make a statement oil the subject in a few days. Replying to Dr. 'Thacker, Mr Allen said was. no chance (so far as it was 'humanly possible to say), of any recurrence of the epidemics at camps this winter. Replying to Mr G. R. Sykes, the Premier stated that the Government did not intend to ask the public to observe a holiday on August 4th, but the mere asking of local bodies to call meetings on that day to pass resolutions, similar to those passed last year.

PRICES FOR COMMANDEERED MEAT. •' ■ Mr Massey laid on the table a/ statement showing the prices paid for New Zealand meat purchased by the Board of Trade and sold in London. He admitted the < position was not altogether 1 'sati af actory, but hoped to have tlifidopportnn'ity of looking into' it persdpal!y'*t no distant date, Mr G. Witty said the Governriieht should take care to see that the local consumer Was not handicapped by prices being unduly raised hi this country, owing to operations of the Board of Trade.

Mr G. V. Pearce said if finy profit was made it should go into the pockets of the Government and hot into the pockets of speculators, as ho felt it was doing.

Mr J. Payne did not admit that war profits should bo made, but everyone knew they were being made, and that being so they should certainly see that the 'prOdbcers got them and not the speculators.

Mr Edward Newman said there was a good deal of dissatisfaction amongst the farmers regarding the constitution of the committee that controls the Colonial meat in London. Members' should not forget that had it not been'

for the Board it would not have been possible to get ships to carry the meat Home.

Mr Massey, m reply, defended the constitution of the committee in London, and said that as a result of inquiry he was satisfied they were not using the position in their own interests.

evening sitting. An amendment to the Native Land and Maori .Councils-Act was introduced by Governor’s Message. Mr Kerries said he proposed to refer the Bill to the Native Affairs Committee. An amendment, of. the; Military Service Bill was introduced by Governor's Message. Mr Allen explained that the present Act did not give* power to inoculate or vaccinate members of tin 1 forces, and it was necessary this power should bo given. The amendment was agreed to. J ■ ■' : ■ WAN LEGISLATION AMEND-

ME NTS,

The Premier moved the second reading of the War Legislation Amendment Bill. He explained that the principal feature was that referring to the restriction of the increase of rent The legislation proposed was based on the English Act. He said the Govj eminent did not wish to unduly inter- . ' fore with the rights of landlords, but it was desired to prevent the excessive increases of rents. The Bill had ocen rendered necessary, by the overcrow 1ing of Wellington which, of course,, wgs due to the concentration of troop.in camps near the city. The Act was to remain in force during the present war and for si* months thereafter. The Bill also provided for certain com cessions in regard to applications for leave by members of Expeditionary Forces; for the appointment of temporary teachers during the war; tor preserving the rights of soldiers in connection with the superannnai'on funds; for the appointments of temporary members of the police force, and for dealing with several other matters which, in the interests of soldiers, ~, required attention. Messrs ,/Witty, Harris aiulvßuddo approved, the proposals/*' : Mr Wilford adversely criticised the disconnected nature of the Bill, which he said might be described as an “All Outs Bill.” He thought the rent question should have been provided for in a small special Bill, and that applications for redress should- be adjudicated ( Uppft.Ly a Stipendiary Magistrate. ■Mr,(Bussell said that provision for the postponement of elections of members of loctll 'authorities was designed bn the lines of the English Act. It was most Undesirable that anything' apprbachiihg local political camps should be organised during the war, but rather that all energies should be devoted to presenting a united front to the enemy. There were-116 boroughs, 62 town districts, 23 harbor boards, also hospital boards and drainage boards. Ho was assured that the postponement of these local elections would result in a saving of from £40,000 to £50;000. The county elections could bo provided fof, if necessary, : next year,,

The debate was continued by other members, and at 11.50 the second reading was carried. The 811 was taken in Committee and the short title passed, and the House rose at 11.55.