PARLIAMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 6 September 1917, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WELLINTON, Sept. 5. TINNED BUTTER. Mr. Witty produced a tin of butter put up by the Dairy 'Association, Auckland, which he complained weighed ouly 15 ounces, tin included. He asked that the matter be inquired into with a view to ascertaining whether the butter was of the best quality and the tin full weight. He asked because the butter was apparently put up for the use of soldiers, and he thought the soldiers should not be robbed. Mr. Massey replied that, knowing the Dairy Association as he did, he could not imagine that they would try to get the better of the public. However, the consumer must be protected, and he asked the lion, member to send the tin to his office, and he would have the whole matter looked into. Later Mr. Massey stated that he had received information which might furnish a satisfactory explanation, but ho agreed that the weight of the butter should be plainly stamped on the tins. AN ABSOLUTE DENIAL. Replying to Mr. Brown, Sir James Allen said ho absolutely' denied the truth of the rumour that he (Sir James 'Allen) was going Home as High Commissioner. Replying to Mr. Okey, Sir James Allen said the departmental report showed that the cost of rationing the men in camps, exclusively of the cost of cooking and transport ranged from Is 6d per man to Is 9d. from January to May. The average was Is 7d. SOLDIERS ’ PENSIONS. Sir James Allen stated that soldiers' pensions had now reached an annual cost of £205,218. GEN. GODLEY REPLIES TO CEITIISM. Sir James Allen read a letter from. General Godley in answer Jo criticism regarding staff appointments, in which General Godley said he had done all he possible could to get staff appointments for all staff corps officers except in cases where it was obviously necessary first to have-a little regimental experience. Sir James Allen also read a statement. from General Godley in which he said: '‘You need have no anxiety about the new brigade. Immediately' ther e is any difficulty about reinforcements it will, if necessary' be broken up; but I am glad to say' that our casualties at the Battle of Messines were so comparatively light that for the present, at any rate, there will! not be the slightest difficulty in keeping up the Fourth Brigade.’'