PARLIAMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 311, 8 October 1915, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

I . ; * THIS DAY'S SITTING. Sir Joseph Ward, replying on the Coat of Living Bill debate, said most of the critics of the bill displayed an ignorance of what was on the statute book. All the power required to maketine bill effective already existed, as a matter of fact, when the bill has passed we shall have the most advanced Taw an the world.

He quoted the Regulation of TVade | and Commerce Act to show that the Government could now fix maxfmum I and miniimum prices,, or could commanI deer prodiice during the time of *ar. When t|his hill had been passed an enquiry could be made and then the system of control would be complete. | He had : been' asked to state in plain ' language how an' individual exploiter (could be got at. Here, then the Board jr had the power to investigate his trans- . actions, and when that information {was secured; there'was power under tine Commercial Tfrust Act to proseI cute any corporation or individual susj.pected of exploitation. This bill had. ; been drafted, having regard to the exj isfcing law, but that fact had been •overlooked with the result that many critics had been mislead because they I did not know what tbe law was. The ibill had been criticised because the : Board had no power to prosecute without reference to the Government. Such | power 'had riot been to any board, not even under the Labour Government in Australia, That was his answer to the cbarjse that the Government was weak and vacflatrng. ! He denied that Government taxation proposals put any burden on workers, i while the policjy of the Government was t 9 keep interest tettes down; this they were dojing. Under the bill great power was given to local bod--1 ies to establish municipal enterprises , in "the interests of the people. If powers provided wefe not used to regulate prices by competition then he wa s forced to tihe conclusion that

those local bodies were not sincere in the? requests made for those powers. He proposed when in committee to move an amendment gjivinj? local authorities power to' purchase trawlers for the purpose of dealing in fish as food supply.

The second readjing was carried on the voices, and the House went into committee on the bill.

On the motion of tlhe Minister, the number on the Board wag increased to three. The Minister also moved the following: That an additional power be given to local authorities for the establishment, equipment and maintenance by Borough Councils of trawlers for the purpose of engaging in fishing and carrying on by such councils of the business of dealing in fish. The clause was agreed to and the bill was Reported as amended. The House went into committee on the Land Laws' Amendment. Bill. '. Clause 28, providing for the acquisition of the fee simple of Crown lands in mining districts was opposed by leaseholders, but was retained by 32 to 7. Clause 200 was withdrawn by the Premier and the bill was report! at 4.P.0. T\he Cost of Living Bill was retl a thtird time and -passed without dwciiasfon. The Land Laws Amendment Bill was read a third time after Messrs Watty, Webb and Antey had entered their protest against Clause 18. The New Zealand University Bill was received from the Legislative Council, and read a first time. The Post and Telegraph: Amendment Bill, providing for fixed deposits in Post Office Savings Banks, was put through all its stages. Mr Herdman moveid iihat amendments made in the Law Practitioners Bill be disagreed with, and managers ■were appointed. Mr Massey introduced the Sihoos and Offices Amendment Bill, which was read a first' time.'