PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1916, Page 8

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. NEW BILLS INTRODUCED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The House met at 2.30 p.m., when Mr. J. Payne (Grey Lynn; gave notice of intention to move an amendment to the Address-in-Reply to the Governor's Speech. Mr. Payne moved the first reading of the Von Seydlitz Grant Restitution Bill. Mr. L. M. Isitt explained that the Bill was an attempt to secure restitution of £ 700 paid as compensation to Von Seydlitz by the Victoria University Council. Mr. C. H. Poole strongly supported the Bill, on the ground that the payment was made to Von Seydlitz in defiance of, puhlic opinion. Dr. Thaeker and Mr. T. supported the Bill. Speaking briefly on the motion, the Premier said that interned Germans were being treated according to instructions from the Home authorities. He denied that the Minister for Defence was responsible. The motion was carried on the voices. The first reading of the War Exigencies and Empire IPreservatidn Bill was moved by Mr. Payne, who strongly attacked the Government in the matter of permitting alleged jiro-Germans to occupy positions in the 'civil service and amongst the reinforcements. The motion Was carried. The following Bills, moved by Mr. Payne, were also read a first timerRent; Blind Persona Assistance; Unregistered Nurses Registration; State Bank; Venereal Diseases. Air. Veitcli moved the first reading of the Wanganui Borough Council Street Access Empowering Amendment Bill. The War Pensions Amendment Bill and the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Bill were introduced by Governor's message, read a first time, and the second reading was made the order for the next sitting day. THE ADDRESS-IN-REPLY. BREVITY ADVOCATED. By Telegraph—Government Memo. Wellington, Last Night. When the House resumed at 7.30, Mr. I). H. Guthrie (Oroua); moved the Ad-dress-in-Reply to the Governor's speech. He said he thought that they might with advantage follow the example set by the speech, and confine themselves to matters of national concern. He paid a warm tribute to the memory of those who had.given their lives in the war, and commented wifh satisfaction upon the splendid name the New Zealand troops had now on the field of battle. He congratulated the National Government upon its work, and said he believed that the experiment would have an effect for good upon the politics of the future. He congratulated the country upon the manner in which it was passing through the war struggle, and alluded to the great increase made in the exports of the Dominion. He congratulated the Government upon the manner in which it had carried out the work of defence. The "goods had been delivered" in every instance. MR. FORBES MAKES A GOOD SPEECH. Mr. G. W. Forbes (Hurunui) seconded the motion. He appreciated the manner in which the twi political parties had worked together in the National in tercst. Several important measures had to be passed, and he argued that the compulsory system should be a complete one, as the country was ready for it. He pointed out that compulsory service would involve hardship on same conscripted men, and the interests of such men must be protected. He alss held that the military element should not be too strong on' the Board of Control. On the question of finance, he thought it was desirable, if possible, to raise some of the loan money required in the Dominipn, and he believed that the country would accept in heroic mood any necessary taxation imposed to carry out the Premier's promise of assistance, te to the last man and the last shilling. He suggestion the constitution of a separate department to make preparation for the thoiiMinds of men who weuli come >back from the war. Mr. Forbes concluded by strongly urging that the National Government sheuld receive the loyal support of the aicm-b.-'i's. COST OF LIVING, AND WAR PROFITS. Mr. A. Harris (Waitemata) li»pe» that tli- Government would find some way out of preventing undue increase of the Cost of living, and advocated that war p ufts should, lie made to bear a fair s-harc of taxation. He thought it was not necessary to raise a loan for public work until after the war. I'i" debate was continued by Mr. C. H. Pode (Auckland West), who strongly urged (hat the exploitation of the people of the country in the matter of the cost of living should be stepped; otherwise, trouble in commercial and industrial circles was to be feared. The Prime Minister then moved the adjournment of the debate and the House rose at 9.30 p.m.