PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 May 1916, Page 8

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. YESTERDAY'S SITTINGS By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The House met at 2.30 p.rn fit. Hon. W. F. Massey moved that on ami after Wednesday, May -24, and for the remainder of the session, Government business should take precedence on Wednesdays jnd after local Bilk on Thursdays. ■ He stated that considerable business of extreme importance connected with the war had to be disposed of. Mr. T. M. Wilford (Butt) desired a definition of the war legislation. Did it include, he asked, taxation, disgorging of war profits, and cost of living? He promised the fullest support in passing legislation dealing with these subjects. ■Mr. J. iPayne (Grey Lynn) contended that if members were prevented frpm considering important matters affecting soldiers and other important matters they should as a protest resign. If ■ passed, the motion would block several Bills of which he had given notice. These included the Von Zeidlitz Grant Restitution, Fair Rent, State Bank, and Limitation of Interest Bills. Mr. C. H. Poole (Auckland West) complained of the inadequate nature of the Governor's Speech. If the Speech had outlined the Cabinet's intentions there would have been no necessity for that debate. He complained the people were under the flieel of the. exploiter. Passing the motion meant placing a gag on members, and he made an appeal for free speech. Mr. G. Witty (Riccarton) was surprised at the motion being brought down so early in the session. He asked the Prime Minister to state what legislation would be 'brought down. He protested against the shameful exploitation now going on, whith was responsible for the increased cost of living. The attitude of the Government was not fair to Parliament or to the country. Mr. Webb (Grey) also opposed the motion. He complained that the Na c tional Government was not playing the game with members in taking private members' dav so early in the session. Mr. K. A.' Wright' (Wellington Suburbs) protested against the Government's attitude, as the cost of living and rents had been affected by the war. Mr. Massey said the passing of the motion would save time and the country's money. The object of the resolution was to allow the Government to get on with war legislation. The House would have every opportunity of discussing th,e cost of living and other matters later on. They had to deal with the Pensions Bill,' the Land for Soldiers Bill, the Military Service Bill, and amendments to the War Regulations. Where exploitation was reported immediate action would be taken, hut up to the present no eases had been referred to him. There had never been A Govcrardent which had done so much to keep i.jwn the cost of living a.s the National Government had. lie condemned the utterances of some members this session, which, if persisted in, would lead to a scene that would be a disgrace to the House. The motion was carried bv 3i votes to 13. DAYLIGHT SAYING. The Napier Harbor Bouro Empowering Bill (Mr. J. V. Brown), and the 'Definition of Time Bill were read a first time. Mr. T. K. Sidey, in moving the latter, pointed out that the principle of the Bill was in force over the greater part of Europe and also in Britain, lie regarded the Bill as an economic necessity in the present war time. r!c hoped the opportunity would be given to ant the measure on the Statute Book. Mr. G. V. Pearce (Patea) said the cables showed the effect of the measure would he restricted at Home to ihe duration of the war. He felt sure fanners in the Dominion would not take kindly to the measure. Mr. W. Nosworthy (Ashbnrton) opposed the Bill. Messrs Poole, VYiltord. Payne, Harris and Young supported the .motion, which was carried. A number of other private members' Bills were read a first tima. LIMITATION OF INTEREST RATES Referring to the Limitation of Interest Rates'during the War Bill Sir Joseph Ward said the hanks had acted most fairly through the present crisis and had kept the rate*, from .V,<, to 0 per cent. He <|uite opposed the principle of arbitrary fixture of rates of interest as inimical to borrowers.