Parliament

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 68, 10 August 1914, Page 4

Parliament

PROVISION FOU WAR CONDITIONS. By Telegraph - Press Association. Wellington, Saturday. On the House resuming at 7.30 p.m., Mr. Massey stated that lie had no news regarding tlie war in the ordinary sense. Such news as had come to liim had always come in advance through the Press Association. He did not blame the High Commissioner for the absence' of official news in any way. He was able i to announce through the Press Aa&ocia- i tion that Norway iMpld defend its neu- j trality, and that HSHland had declared war against Germany. It had been J said that he had not taken the Leader of the Opposition into his confidence, - but he pointed out that the position w»8 that all advice and instructions came through tlie Governor. There had been direct instructions to tie Governor to take no one into his confidence but the Prime Minister, and on other occasicms only the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence. No discourteiy was intended to t'he Leader of the Opposition. An import-ant "Bill would be presented by the Finance Committee on Monday. It was suggested that Parliament should adjourn for a few days, and lie would meet-this wish if possible. The Premier read a list of spontaneous offers towards the expeditionary force fund, which evoked loud cheers. As the Premier expressed his thanks far the same, Sir Joseph Ward said it made one feel proud that be was a New Zealander to see such a magnificent response to the country's call. Continuing, Mr. Massey said that so desirous was he that the patry spirit should be dropped, that he had given his party organisers instructions to cease organising until further notice. Sir Joseph Ward stated that he had adopted a similar course, and had stop- ) ped the publication of the party journal. | Mr. Russell suggested that the Loader of the Opposition might be more closely associated with the Government during

the present crisis, as he felt eure his large experience would be most valuable under ttfie circumstances. ■Mr, Massey said he was doing that so far as possible. It was not possible for him to invite anyone, not a Cabinet Minister, to Cabinet meetings. The House then proceeded to considef the Mortgage Intension Bill, the second reading of which was moved by Mr. Ilerdman. He explained that the provisions of the Bill was limited to mortgages whidh were extended during the war crisis unless otherwise ordered by j the Supreme Court. . , The second reading was carried witli#ut debate, , Mr. Massey moved the second reading of the Regulation of Trades and Commerce Bill. W r ith regard to the clause ! dealing with industrial awards and the Factories Act, it was made quite plain that nothing would he done to bring about a reduction of wages. All that, was aimed at was to provide that men might be employed for, say. three days a week, instead of not at all.

Mr. MeCombs said he was satisfied with the provision made in the Bill. Speaking briefly in reply, Mr. Massey [.aid it must be understood that the provisions of the Bill would only apply in war time. The second reading was carried. The House then went into committee upon the Mortgages Extension Bill, which wae reported with minor amendments moved by the Minister, and the third reading was carried. Upon the Regulation of Trade and Commerce Bill, a new clause was inserted, on the motion of the Premier, protecting the.minimum wage in the event of the suspension of an industrial award. Tile Bill was reported, read, a third time, and passed.

•Mr. Massey said, before moving the adjournment of the House, that be had been asked by his Excellency to read a telegram just received, which pToved to be a summary of Mr. Asquith's speech in the House of Commons (already cabled), when asking for a credit of one hundred millions, and an addition of five hundred thousand men to the army. The reading concluded amidst applause, and Sir Joseph Ward referred sympathetically to the "line words" used by the British Premier, in a high-toned speech on an historic occasion.

■Mr. Massey said lie deeply appreciated the reference to the assistance rendered by the overseas dominion, and although not desiring to boast, lie was strongly of opinion that the first contingent to be sent away from any dominion would be from the shores of New Zealand. (Cheers). , -Mr, Massey also read the latest war intelligence received from the Press Association, which was heard with applause. Sir_ Joseph Ward commented on the unreliability of much of the news received, and asked if some mentis could not be devised by which more accurate intelligence could be obtained. Mr. Massey said he had been endeavoring to do as Sir -Joseph suggested, and was sorry he had not succeeded. He would try again. The House adjourned at 9.35 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. 011 Monday.