PARLIAMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 290, 17 September 1915, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

WELLINGTON, Sept. 15. Ths Legislative Council met at 2.20 p.m. Leave of absence for seven days was granted to tfiie Liens. Simpson and Parata on account of illness. The Auckland City Empowering and Wellington City Empowering Bills were read a first time. The Hon. Baehan asked whether the Government would take into consideration the advisability ci bringing in a Bill having for its f.uVct the subvention of Fhriendly Sociflies fin view of the fact that the societies have slhown a decrease in memb*/. ship. Sir Francis Bell Md. the first drop in membership oecvrrod in ISO 9, before the National Providvt ret erne was adopted. His ireply Was that the Government lhad a scheme of subvention in view, but. they could not name the <Jat:> when it would lv introduced. Votes of rympathy v\i(h the widows an! families of the '-to Messrs George, Reolh'n and J. McLa V!pn. ex-members r& th* House cf K»prP3«:nfatibes, were The Council edjour.red at 2.55. LOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ' The House of Repr \i,-ntatives met at 2.3 G p.m. a REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. In reply to Mr 3a'.ck, the Minister for Defence, said that all men who were given non-comiiissioned rank in tho reinforcements were warned that the rank was only temporary, and might not be confirmed on arrival in Egypt 8a it was 'impossible to say at this end what vacancies required to be. filled. la reply to Mr Isitt, the Minister for Dsfcnce sadd that no s(ystem of pen-si-n3 existed for the famines and dependents of those en-aged on the troopships. Four days' deave of absence was granted to Mr Forbes on account of illness in the family. SCENERY PRESERVATION. "i" ° Scenery Preservation Amendment Bill was introduced by the Premier and read a first time. STATE MINES. On a motion to print the Mines Report ,Mr Webb attacked the administration of the State Coal Mines. He asked for an 'investigation of the management. He urged a protective duty on Newcastle coal. Mr Anderson expressed the opinion that the State mines- were not paying. He advocated their sale to relieve the taxpayers of an unnecessary burden. Messrs Co'.vin and Payne advocated the retention of the mines.

The Minister, in reply, said tihe mining industry was not going back. He could assure the members that the Government quite realised the importance of the industry. The Government had given support to Reasonable proposals for aid to prcspec.tfi.n-g when favourably reported upon by departmental officers. It was indended to do all possible to aid in developing the industry. During the past five years the Government had spent £30*9,000 to connection witlh the Industry. The motion to print the papcp was carried. HOURS OF FITTING. Tba Premier gave notice to move that on and after Monday next the House sit'on Mndays at 7.30 for the remainder cf the session. THE ESTIMATES. The House resumed consideration of the Estimates. When the 'figures for the Defence Department wr(re taken, the AdjutantGeneral "brancih (£153,457) was under consiideraticn when the House adjourned for d:nner. r . After midnight, Department of Agriculture, '• -Inductjri;e)s. and Commeirce (.£123,914) came on for consideration. Tn answer to criticism the Premier said the commandefiring cf meat bad been of great benefit to producers. The discussion was continued until 1.30 a.m., wh.eh the vote was parsed. DVogress was then reported and the House rose at 1:35 a.m.