PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 3, 2 August 1916, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

(Per Press Association). Wellington, August 1

The Council met at 2.30 p.m

Hon. A. T. Maginnity asked whether the appointment of the High Commissioner (Sir Thomas Mackenzie), to the Dardanelles Commission had been made with the approval of the Government, also, whether any correspondence with the Imperial authorities on the subject would be laid on the table.

Hon. Sir F. H. D. Bell said that both parts of the question asked tor information with regard to communications which may have passed between the Imperial authorities and the New Zealand Government. The Government considered that at the present time such information could not properly be given. The Council rose at 2.40.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

LAND FOR SOLDIERS

The House met at 2.30 p.m

Mr Massey announced that the Land Purchase Board had secured the following blocks for returned soldiers: 10G6 acres of farm land near Marton ; 1020 acres near Awahuri, nearly all in cultivation; 732 acres near Woodlands railway station, Southland, "suitable for cutting into small areas. Negotiations are now in progress for the purchase of 7000 acres of sheep country in the Marlborough district, and he had every hope that they would bo successful. - , MAORIS WITH THE FORCES.

Mr Allen laid on the table a return showing that 518 Maoris and half-castes had left with the first Maori contingent, 311 with the second, 314 with the third, and 74 with the fourth, making a total of 1217. There were now 150 full-blooded Maoris and 114 half-castes in training at the Narrow Neck camp, and thirteen respectively at Featherstoh, 'besides eight and six at Trentham, making a total of 301. GERMAN CRIMES. Mr Massey read a cable from the. Hugh Commissioner dealing , with a discussion in the House of Commons on German crimes. Referring to : a, statement by Mr Asquith that "The Government repeated most emphatically its resolve that these crimes' should hot go unpunished," Mr Massey said he was quite sure the Dominions would do everything in their power to assist the. Mother Country in bringing to justice the perpetrators of such crimes as the murders of Captain Fryatt 'and Nurse Cavell. CLEARING THE'DECKS. The House resumed, in committee, the consideration, of the Reserves and Other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Bill. Several clauses which had been postponed were passed, and two new clauses, moved by the Premier, were added to the Bill. A new clause, authorising the Western Taieri Land Drainage Board to levy rates was also agreed to, and the Bill was then reported, read a third time, i and passed. - I

VOTES OF SYMPATHY. The Premier moved a vote of appreciation of the services of the late John Stevens, ex-M'.P. for Rangitikei, and sympathy with his family. Sir Joseph Ward seconded, and was followed by Messrs Buick, Field, and Russell. The motion Ivvag passed in silence. A similar vote was passed in reference to tlu3 late Wm. Barrow, ex-M.l\ for Caversham. The House adjourned at I p.m. for the remainder of the afternoon sitting, as a tribute of respect to the deceased members.

The House resumed at 7.30 p.m

MILITARY SERVICE ACT

Mr Massey stated that the Military Service Bill had received the assent of the Governor and was now the iaw of the laud;

On the motion for the third reading of the War Regulations Bill, Mr lsitt held that the Government should have told members they were free to follow their own convictions; also, that it was wrong of the Government to stand between the trade and the Will of the people. The Bill made no adequate provision for punishing breaches of the law. The day was not far distant when this trade would be swept out of the country, lock, stock, and barrel. Mr Payne contended there was no real drunkenness amongst native-born New Zealanders, and that for such drunkenness as there was, the remedy was Statu control. He favored the appointment of womeir constables in connection with the suppression of social evils, and .said that German property in all parts of the Empire should be confiscated.

Mr E. Newman i Rangitikei),' agreed that women should be used as much as possible for police purposes, from an economic point of view. Mr WeW) admitted there was a strong vote -in favor of anti-treating, but the reasons given were very weak. Mr Wright denied that the prohibition party was responsible for the early closing movement.

: Mr Jennings (Taumarunui), advocated a system of State control for liquor in the King Country, where there was no control, resulting in a most unsatisfactory- state of affairs.

Mr Wilkinson (Egmont) believed that as a question of national efficiency it would have jjeen wiser to have burtailed the sale of liquor. Mr Herd-man asked; Why single out one particular business for economy f The demand for the closing of hotels was not fair play. It was totally unfair to limit the hours without granting compensation. He had been charged with bias, but did the member . for Christchurch approach thin subject without prejudice? He believed the regulation would induce further economy. *

The Bill was read a third time and passed. Mr Isitt, by leave of the House, eulogised the Prime Minister for his. absolute fairness and strict impartiality in conducting several conferences on the liquor question. CINEMA FILMS CENSORSHIP. Mr Russell moved the second reading of the Cinematograph Film Censorship Bill. He said tho Bill had been brought about by a strong body of public opinion, which represented that many pictures were subversive, of public morality.

Mr Payne considered the Bill unnecessary, as a picture show was the cleanest entertainment given in New Zealand. The Bill would indict grave hardships on the film industry. The motion was carried, and the House proceeded to discuss the Bill in committee.

At Clause 4, a new sub-section waf added providing for the right of ap i peal. The Bill was reported, read a third time, and passed. The Speaker moved for the issue of the writ, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the member for Pahiatua. The House rose at 11.45 p.m.