PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 98, 27 July 1916, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

(Per Press Association). Wellington, July 26. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. An amendment to the Military Service Bill giving power to compulsori'ly inoculate or vaccinate members of the Expeditionary Forces was agreed to. '.I he Council rose at 2.40. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. [COST OF LIVING. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Mr L. M. ls'tt, the Premier jsaid that opportunity would be given to the Bouse to discuss the cost of living before the session closed. ORCHARD TAX BILL. An orchard Tax Kill was introduced by Governor's Message. Mr \V. D. S. McDonald explained,that the Bill was promoted'in accord a nee with the wishes of the Fruit Growers' Federation. It provided for a fc»x*.o'f Is per acre on commercial orchards. '1 he tax would bo collected by/the Government and handed over to the Fruit Growers' Federation to be expe.-.deu by thorn on the development of .the,fruit industry and markets, both \y.it!iin and beyond New ZealancL . £%,#[s!, would probably .realise: £3OOO per rnuum. The Bill, which was generally approved, was read a first time and. retf erred to the Agricultural Committee.

NEW ZEALAND WpTNDED IN

ENGLAND. Hon. J. Allen made a statement regarding the hospital arrangement for wounded in England. /Dkesa had been completely re-organised under Briga-dier-General Richardson'. The wliole arrangements were now under New Zoajiinders, including nurses, and were all- thijit: cpujd,..be, desired,, ~', , ! 'i ; HE Railways. Tlie Minister for Railways laid on the table "his annual railways statement. A lengthy discussion, ensued lasting until the dinner adjournment when the paper was ordered to bo printed. .'•"■ : ■'_ EVENINC SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. An Imprest Supply Bill/ appropriating £971,800, was introduced by Governor's Message. On the motion to go into Committee of Supply, Mr EH drew attention to the delay in bringing down the annual railways .statement, and ventilated alleged grievances of workmen. 1 Mr Payne urged the Government to begin to formulate 'a scheme for find- j in<r employment for disabled returned soldiers. j

Mr Herri's said the railway returns had been published in April last, and even wtitho.il the £200,000 derived ft Mm the increased rates, he believed they would show a record year. The earnings bad increased from £3 10s 7d per cent, to £4 Ms -Id, and there was every indication that the next statement would prove equally satisfactory. He denied the statement that the rolling stock was not in as satisfactory a condition as it should be. He admitted that many works, such as stations, buildings, and sidings were necessary, but these could not be carried out unless members favored an extensive borrowing policy lor public works. He denied favoritism in the expenditure in the Auckland district, but said that certain engagements had been entered into there which had to be carried out.

Mr Witty urged that the Government should introduce legislation, dealing with the cost of living. He wanted to see food and clothing dealt with the same as rent. It would have been wiser to have reduced the cost oi living in preference to raising wages. Mr Massev defended the attitude of the Government on the purchase of

wheat from Canada in 1915. He said the loss on the transaction was about £IO,OOO. Mr Jennings voiced the wants of the baekblocks settlers. Commenting on the alleged prevalence of land aggregation, he said that if lie could not prove his allegations' before a Commissi'.!. i.| Inquiry he would resign his Mr Webb said his sympathy was with the way-back settlers. H!e protested against the action of the Public Works Department in not putting votes on the Estimates for now works. At 11.4.0, the House went into Committee of Ways and Means. The Bill was put through its remaining stages, and the House rose at 11.50 p.m.