PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1915, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE. COUNCIL By Telegraph.—'Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. When the Council met, in reply to Hon. G. Jones, the Leader of the Council said the Government.could not lay upon the table of the Council a copy of the report on the manufacture of munitions, and the great mineral resources of >few Zealand, written by Mr. Sennefct, M.1.M.E., recently, at the instance of the Minister of Defence. The document was marked "confidential." The Mortgages Extension Bill was read a second time, pro forma, and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee, and the Local Railway 3 Act Amendment Bill and Sale of Food and Drags Act Amendment Bill were read ft first time. The following Bills wore read f<. ae«md time: havings Banks Amendment; Frnit 'Preserving Industry Amendment; Sce.ttery Preservation Amendment; Natiomvl Provident Fund Amendment; PapakuraBeach Vesting; Wyndham Recreation Reserve Amendment; Wellington and Karori Sanitation and Water Supply Amendment; Tokomaru Bay Harbor; Christcliuwh Electric Supply Empower ing Amendment. The Bills were reported from Committee without amendment, read a third time, and passed. The Swamp Drainage Bill was read * second time, and ordered to be committed on Tuesday next. The Bluff Harbor Improvements Bill was received a second time, reported with one slight improvement, read a third time, and passed.

Messrs Harris, Witty, Talbot, Field (Nelson), and Ell continued the debate. Mr. Massey, in reply, denied any suggestion to the effect that he had .endeavored to protect the weaMiy classes. The taking of a census of wealth would involve an unnecessary expenditure, and would also delay the preparation of the register. The Bill was read a second time on the voices, and at midnight the Ilonsc wont into committee on the Till. On clause 4 a discussion wns raised by Labor members, who objected to anyone being asked to give his reasons for not volunteering. The Premier agreed to substitute for'the words objected to the following: "If there are any circumstances or reasons that prevent him from offering his services as aforesaid, such circumstances or reasons therefor." Clause 0 waß struck out, on the motion of the Prime Minister. The Bill was reported with amendments, road a third time and cawed.