PARLIAMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 280, 25 August 1915, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. WELLINGTON, August 24. Th e Council met at 2.30. Hon Maginnity asked a question concerning .the funds collected in numerous parts of the Dominion for patriotic purposes—whether the Government will introduce legislation with a view to providing for the appointment of a board of trustees to whom shall be committed the administration of such funds

Sir Francis Bell said the question of the adminstration of thes e funds was at present receiving consideration. The Government regretted it -was not able to give a more definite reply The Tramways Amendment Bill was read a first time, and subsequently passed through all stages The Expeditionary Forces Bill was read a second time and committed.

The Council adjourned at 4.20 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House met at 2.30. IMPREST SUPPLY,

• The following Bills were introduced Ery Governor's Message, and read a first time: Hutt Road Bill, Tfr e? Censors Statistics Amendment Bill, and the National Registration Bill. The latter Bill provides for the registration of all men between the ages of .17 to 60. An Imprest Supply Bill, providing for an appropriation of £953,500, was introduced by Governor's Message. Various matters (reported elsewhere by our Parliamentary correspondent) were discussed, and the House adjourned at 5.30. The House resumed at 7.30

The Premier, replying to Mr Wifty's remarks regarding wheat, said full statistical information would Be" given regarding the Government's transactions in wheat. He denied any charge of exploitation. He read an agreement made with the millers fixing the price of flour at £l4 10/. H e affirmed that there had been a serious shortage of wheat The action taken by the Government in importing wheat hod resulted in a surplus to-day. An additional 23,000 acres had been sown in wheat this year. He had every confidence there would be sufficient.wheat to supply us till th e next crop came in, if conditions were normal. That day he had refused the application of a large firm to allow a quantity to be exported. The Government-had remitted the duty on wheat and flour, and prohibited exportation.

The debate was continued "by Messrs Witty, McCombs, Payne, Webb, Anstey, isitt and Nossworthy. The Bill was then committed and reported"-with-out amendment, and passed the final stages. The House adjourned at 11.6.