PARLIAMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 252, 15 July 1915, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

TRENTHAM ROYAL COMMIS SION

T'a e House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m.c

In reply to Sir Joseph Ward, the Prime Minister said that he was willing that th e railway fares of all witnesses summoned by the Trentham Royal Commission should be paid by the State. He could not promise that the fares of all persons desiring to give evidence would be paid. Mr Massey further stated that the Government had engaged Mr Skerrett, K.C., to appear before the Commission to represent the interests of the men and parents. The Minister for Defence said he would approach the shipping companies v ith a view to getting a refund of passages paid by parents and others coming to see relatives returning by the Willochra. BOTHA RECOGNITION. Sir Joseph Ward suggested setting on foot by the Government a movement to recognise the services of General Botha in defeating the Germans in South Africa. He favoured a shilling subscription to purchase a sword of Honour Mr Massey said he was in communication with the Governor. A cable had been sent expressing appreciation of General Botha's services, THE POLICE FORCE.

Mr Witty asked whether there was any intention to do away with the detective or plain clothes branch of the police force. He said there was dissatisfaction in the force. The Minister for Justice said the de. partraent had under consideration a proposal to build houses, but the money was at present required for more urgent purposes. The amount paid in hous e allowance w r as £II,OOO per annum. He though steps would have to be taken to mak e the force more homo.

gcnc-ous. Under any new system that might be instituted, men who had prior rights under the present system would be fairly dealt with, LAND BOARD APPOINTMENT Mr McCallum asked the'Prime Minister whether it is true that he, as Minister for Lands,-caused to be appointed to one of the Land Boards of the Dominion an ex-member of Parliament who was recently unseated for corrupt practices on ah election petition tried befor e tw r o judges of the Supreme Court. The Premier replied that the gentleman who. had been appointed to the Auckland Land Board will , prove a valuable addition to that institution, inasmuch as he has probably a better knowledge of. Crown lands in the north

cf Auckland, than any other person in the Dominion. This large and important district has not been represented on the Land Board Cor some years past.

A debat arose on the reply to this question.

Messrs McCallura, Forbes, and Hornsby condemned the appointment as a breach of the law and a gross public scandal. The Attorney-General and th e Premier warmly defended the appointment as legal and in the interests of the North Auckland district. VARIOUS MATTERS.

In reply to questions, Ministers said it was now too late to make an alteration in the forms sent to farmers for returns of wheat, grain, etc. H e was not aware that land boards had issued threatening circulars to Crown tenants re arrears of rent. It was not advisable to grant local authorities power to levy rates directly for the purposes of alleviating distress. Every precaution was being taken by the Defence Department to see that horses purchased for military purposes were sound. Suitable steps were being taken to give special consideration to the claims of returned soldiers for Government appointments. It was not intended to introduce legislation this session to improve or amend the Education Act It was intended to pass legislation for the audit of all war and patriotic funds.

Legislation would be introduced to provide for exemption from deathduty of the estates of men hilled or dying while on active service. That it was desirable to ensure to retiringpostmistresses superannuation allowance of at least £1 weekly. The House rose at 5.40.

The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr Sidey moved the second reading of the Definition of Time Bill. He explained that it was proposed in the BUI to advance clocks by one hour from Ist November to Ist February, and argued that the saving in lighting would amount to £IOO,OOO per year. Mr Pearce contended that the Bill, if passed, would do a grave injustice to the farming community, especially to the dairy farmers, who worked from daylight to dark, and could not possibly sav e any daylight Mr Harris said the Bill was worthy of trial and should be put on the Statute Book. The objections were to a great extent visionary. Mr Field (Nelson) said the practice of putting on the clock was in opera- - t&m in a part of his electorate, and worked with the greatest satisfaction. '■ Mr Hine said th e Bill would Impose a great hardship on school children and mothers. He- mored that tss e Bill be rend thnf day six months.

I Sir Joseph Ward hoped that the Bill * would receive serious consideration. Tfc would not in any way interfere with business; inconvenience would be limited to the first day of its enactment.