PARLIAMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 123, 25 May 1916, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

WELLINGTON, May 23. The House of Representatives met -at 2.30 p.m. Mr. Massey moved that on and after Wednesday, the 24th inst., for the remainder of the session. Government business take precedence on Wednesdays and after local Bills on Thursdays. He said that considerable business of extreme importance connected with the war, had to be disposed of. Mr. Wilford desired a definition of war legislation. Did it include, he asked, taxation, the disgorging of war profits, or the cost of living? He promised the fullest support in passing legislation dealing with these subjects. Mr. Payne contended that if members were prevented from considering important matters affecting soldiers and other important matters, they should as a protest resign. If passed, the motion would block several Bills, of which he had given notice. These included the Von Zeidlitz Grant Restitution, Fair Rent, State Bank, and Limitation cf Interest Bills, and other important matters. Mr. Poole complained of the inadequate nature of the Governor’s Speech. If the speech had outlined the Cabinet’s intentions there would be no necessity for that debate. He complained that the people were under the heel of the exploiter. The passing of the motion meant placing a gag on members. He made an appeal for free speech. Mr. Witty was surprised at the motion being brought down so early in th e session. He asked the Prime Minister to state what legislation would be brought down. He protested against the shameful exploitation now going on, which was responsible for the increased cost of living. The attitude of the Government was not fair to Parliament or the country. Mr. Webb also opposed the motion. He complained that the National Government was not playing the game with members in taking private member’s day so early in the session. Mr. Wright protested against the Government’s attitude, as the cost of living and rents had been affected by the war.

Mr. Massey said the passing of the motion would save time, and the country’s money. The object of the resolution was to allow the Government to get on with war legislation. The House would have every opportunity of discussing the cost of living, and other nmtters, later on. They had to deal with the Pensions Bill, Land for Soldiers Bill, Military Service Bill, amendments to the War Regulations, and Rents. Where exploitation was reported, immediate action would be taken. Up to the present no cases had been referred to him. There had never been a Government that had done to such to keep down the cost of living a s the National Government. He condemned the utterances of some members this session. If persisted in, they would lead to a scene that would be a. disgrace to the House. The motion was carried by 35 votes to 13.

FREE OPERATIONS FOR MEDI

CALLY UNFIT. A question relating to surgical operations required by men declared to be practically unfit, in order to make them fit for active service was | asked by Mr. Wilford to-day. He asked the Prime Minister whether he could make arrangements by which men suffering slightly for s nch complaints as varicoscelle, who were rccommnded for immediate operation by the examining doctor, could be treated in hospitals. The Government might arrange that the hospital authorities would be paid for these operations. He mentioned a case in which a man went to an hospital with a recommendation from the examining doctor that ho should be admitted. He was told the hospital had closed down on free treatment. Mr. Wilford suggested that the Government should agree upon some policy whereby the hospitals should accept these men for treatment. He believed that the Auckland hospital did these operations without charge. Mr. Massey said that Mr. Wilford had better give notice of his question, so that enquiries could be made. He had been informed that arrangements had been made with every hospital board to treat these cases free of charge.

THE PRICE OF BUTTER. Reference was made in the House to-day to the price of butter. Mr, Pocle drew attention to the fact that there were large quantities of butter held in store, much larger quantities than were held in normal years. For this reason he urged that there was no need for the present ruling .high prices, and he asked the Prime Minister what steps he was prepared to take to prevent increases in price of butter for local consumption. Mr. Massey said the matter had been referred to the Board of Trade for report. , , j. t f ' . i .'.it k i

NATIONAL REGISTRATION CARDS. DEFAULTERS TO BE PROSECUTED. Asked what steps it was intended to take regarding those men who Tad failed to return their national registration cards, Hen. Russell stated that the Crown Law Office had been instructed to proceed with prosecutions in a considerable number of cases. An invitation had been given to those who had failed, through ignorance or neglect, to forward their registration cards within the time prescribed. If they did this the prosecutions would not be proceeded with, but where failure to send in cards had been accompanied hy evidence of flagrant determination not to carry out their responsibilities, prosecution w r ould be proceeded with.