PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 257, 6 December 1909, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. 1 Wellington, Saturday. After midnight the debate on Mr. I Wright's amendment that the amount of ConunUsioner of Taxes ( £401)0) be reduced by £1 a* an indication that the Government should inform the House as to the position regarding the Commissioner of Taxes, against whom charges had been made, was continued, and "provoked recriminations on botli (sides of the House, the Opposition demanding that the report of the Judges on irregularities in the Income Tax Department be laid on the table. Mr. Massey said it was rumored that persons connected with the Legislature were implicated. The Premier stoutly declined to lay the report of the Judges on the table, and said if the House carried a motion some one else would have to do it. ! Mr. Wright replied at 1.50 a.m., when ; the motion was put and negatived by 40

Replying to Mr. Okcy, the Premier said the amount saved by retrenchment was £303,(103. He could not prom.se to give retrenched Civil Servants employment. The vote was' passed without turtner I challenge. The Post and Telegraph Department vote was passed with the exception oi (£67,700 in Class HI., for the conveyance of mails by sea, which was postponed. , On the Public Buildings vote, Mr. , Massey said a very serious mistake had : been made in not rebuilding a portion t of the old Parliament Buildings burned > down. He hoped this would yet be ! °Sir Joseph Ward rtiid if Hie old

buildings were rebuilt it would probably cost thrice what had been cxpcnd'AJ; owing to the necessity for providing accommodation for members. Mr. Massey said the fire was not accidental, and the Premier had been talking nonsense. If the contract had been pushed on for an addition to the buildings it would have been ready for the following session. The vote was passed at 3.20 a.m. The Hospitals Bill was brought down from the Legislative Council with amendments, which Mr. Eowlds moved be agreed to. Several members strongly opposed the deletion of clause 72. •Mr. Fowlds said , the House would have an opportunity to consider the matter again when the Friendly Societies Bill was before the House. On the motion of Mr. Massey the House adjourned at 3.35 a.m.