HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 4, 3 August 1916, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Premier gave notice of his intention to introduce, on the next sitting clay, the Methodist Charitable and Education Trust Bill. REPLIES TO .QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Hindmarsh, the Native Minister said if ho would bring under his notice coal-bearing areas along the Main Trunk line belonging to .Natives lie would consider the question of reserving • them. Replying CO Mr Field (Otaki), the Minister of Dofence said he was in negotiation with the Australian Government regarding reciprocity in matters of privilege to discharged soldiers. Replying to the question put by Mr Yeitch yesterday, regarding the quality of uniforms supplied by military contractors, Mr Myers said the quality of the cloth supplied wa,s unequalled in the world. in two cases recently, contractors were fined on supplying cloth of short! weight. Iu another case where complaint was made of tin 1 quality of triol thread with which the garmenta were sewn, investigation was now taking ; place, and the case would be dealt with on its merits. Any loss in connection i with this contract would fall on the j contractor. i

The Minister of Defence read a statement from the medical officers in charge of the Trcntham and l,rcatherston camps to the'effect that the health of the troops was normal for this time of tlio year, and there was no Sauso for anxiety on the part ot the public. Replying to Mr Sidey, he admitted that the system of frco cables which parents have tlie rignt to send to wounded soldiers in England was not working so well as when the men were in Egypt. He was going into die, matter, and hoped to have it j placed on a satisfactory footing. | COMMITTEES' REPORTS. The Hail ways Committee reported it had no recommendation to mn>w upon the petition of a number of railj way workshop employees, who prayed that the Railway Tradesmen's Association he officially recognised by the i Department. The effect of this recommendation is that the Association remains part of a S.R.S. The Lands Committee reported on the .Napior Harbor Board Empowering and Vesting Hill with amendments. -Mr Vigor Brown raised the question as' to whether the committee had power to amend the Bill in any clause not affecting Crown lands. They had reduced the proposed loan from £40,000 to £30,000, which he contended was beyond the functions of the commrt Lee. After discussion, the Speaker ruled that the committee was only empowered to deal with clauses affecting lands. The Bill was set down for second reading next supply day. | The House rose at 5.30. !