PARLIAMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 240, 30 June 1915, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

© ___ • MINISTERIAL CAUCUS. OUR WAR BILL. With th e party majority so narrow, Ministerialists naturally had a good deal to consider at the caucus usually |held at the session's opening. They sat during the whole morning and most of the afternoon, not because the proceedings-were inharmonious or trou. blesome to th e Government, but on account of the wide range of subjects discussed.

The official report of the caucus issued by the Chief Government Whip (Mr Guthrie) was as follows: A meeting of the Government Party was held to-day, at which many important ques-

tions were under discussion. This caucus was one of the best ever held by the Reform Party, 39 members being present. Mr Hine (Stratford), who was away attending to important matters, being the only absentee, and he is paired during his absence. Th e caucus in dealing w,ith very important matters, displayed deep interest and splendid unanimity in support of questions which, at the present moment, are of th e most vital importance to the Empire/ LIQUOR IN BELLAMY'S.

Parliament is to have the novel pleasure cf a licensing election shortly. Legislation provides that, within a certain period of the -general licensing election/the House must vote on the question of selling intoxicants in the Parliamentary restaurant (Bellamy's). It has usually {happened that the period within which a vote can be taken has expired before the meeting cf the. House, but this time the Clerk will have to put the Question. In view of this, the Women's Christian .Temperance Union sent in a petition, urging legislators to follow the King's example by,' . from fintoxSca'nts while the war is on. OUR WAR BILL Th e Loan Bill is expected to-day (Tuesday), and the Governmlent has hopes of persuading the House to put it through all its stages in time to enable the Address-in-Reply debate to be started in th e evening. Although the Bill is a war measure, it, however, hardly probable that discussion will b e so brief aa to make this consummation possible. The Bill, it is understood, provides for war expenditure covering a period of two years, and will .involve a loan proposal of about £10,000,000. LAST NIGHT'S SITTING. LOAN BILL POSTPONED. COALITION CABINET. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY. PASSED WITHOUT DEBATE. WELLINGTON, This Dny. The following Bills were introduced by Governor's Message: Suspension of Disqualieation During War Bill, Publie Revenues Act Amendment Bill, Validation Bill, Cook Islands Bill.

The Prime Minister asked the House to take the Pubic Eevenues Act Amendment Bill as a matter of urgency. The Bill was practically a War Loan Bill. Great inconvenience would be caused if it was not passed. Sir Joseph Ward objected to passing the most important Bill of the session without having seen it. No copies had been 'circulated.

Mr. Massey said they would be circu lated shortly, when members could con sider it.

Sir Joseph Ward said the Bill contained many matters outside the War Loan. He suggested these clauses be deleted and the loan clauses allowed to stand by themselves.

The Prime Minister then; announced that he would not go on with the Bill that day. /

The Hon. Herdman moved the second reading of the Suspension of Disqualification During the War Bill. He explained that the measure was designed to protect the interests of Messrs. Seddon and Downie Sewart and the Hon. Dr. Collins, M.L.C., who were joining the Expeditionary Forces and who, if the Bill were not passed, would forfeit their seats the moment they enlisted.

Sir Joseph Ward doubted the accuracy with which sub-clause 2 of clause 2 had, been drafted. He thought that after a lapse of twelve months any member of the Defence Department could stand in the House and still retain his position in the Department if elected. > . Mr. Herdman said he would have the matter looked into, and if necessary, the clause could be amended at a later stage.

The Bill passed the committee stages with a minor amendment moved by the Minister.

On the third reading the Premier congratulated the members of Westland and Dunedin Central on the action they were taking in going to the front. So far as the interests of their constituencies were concerned, he. felt sure, both sides would combino to look, after themi With regard to recruiting, he ,was pleased that •• it' : ■ going on most ;satigfacfcorily. - ;■ , Messrs. Seddon-and Stewart briefly thanked the House for the compliment paid ittom. ■■■'•• ■•■■•••->:■■ ■•'■:■ ■> -'■"-■

The third reading passed without further debate and the House rose at 3.35 till 7.30. The House resumed at 7.30. The Prime Minister made reference to a Coalition Cabinet. ' Mr. Parr moved that a respectful address be presented to the Governor in reply to his Excellency's speech. Mr. Downie Stewart seconded. Sir Joseph Ward desired to say the Opposition did not intend to debate the Address-in-Eeply. The necessary resolutions were then passed at 9.10 and the House rose till 2.30 p.m. to-day. ■- "" ' ■ i " ' ;