Parliament

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 70, 12 August 1914, Page 7

Parliament

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. AFTERNOON SESSION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Council met at 2.30. Hon. H. D. Bell said he hoped to go on with non-contentious measures in the Council if the House concurred, and he would ask the Council to sit at night, aa it was physically impossible for him to deal with committee work in the mornings. The Council then adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30. The Public Revenue Amendment Bill was brought down by Governor's message. . Sir Joseph Ward said it was a matter for regret that he had not been apprised of the Bill, especially when the Opposition was prepared to pass the measure in any case. The Government was following a different course from that of any other country. Mr Allen said he had not followed what was being done by other governments, but if it was felt that the House had not had time to digest the Bi;l, he would be pleased to postpone consideration to any other day. He had no wish to hurry the measure through, and was very sorry if Sir Joseph Ward thought he ought to be consulted, jbut that had not occurred to either the Premier or himself. Mr Massey said he was sorry he was not in the House when the Leader of the Opposition had mentioned the matter. He had no intention whatever of showing discourtesy. They would not go on with the Bill that- day, but he knew of no case where it was necessary to inform the Opposition of a Bill brought down by Governor's Messag:. Passing on, Mr Massey said that he did not propose for the present to sit in the afternoons, so that committee work could proceed. Ministers were working at high oressure, and he had intended to see Sir Joseph Ward that morning, but hod not had timo to do so. He proposed to proceed with the Bill at 7.30 to-morrow. Sir Joseph Ward reiterated that he had raised his question from no party spirit. He wished to make it plain that so long aa the state of war lasted he would haye no party inside or outside the House. The House then went into committee on the Local Elections (Proportional Representation) Bill. In reply to Mr Wilford, Mr Fisher stated the Bill was purely optional. It could be brought into operation by special Order. The Bill , wag reported, without amendment. The Civil Service Officers Guarantee Repeal Bill and 'the Immigration Restriction Amendment Bill, also passed through' committee without amendment. The three Bills were then read a ,third time and pasßed. The House rose at 4.10 p.m. till 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday.