PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 June 1916, Page 8

PARLIAMENT.

PRIVATE BILLS THE COST OF LIVING. By -'elegraph.—Press Association. Wellington. Last Night. The House. met at 2.30 p.m. 'llie following local Bills wore read a first time: Gisborne Borough lias Bill, Hiitt Parle Amendment Enabling Bill. Mr. Massey moved that for the remainder of the session, Government business take precedence of all oilier business, excepting local and private Bilk The Premier said that the time of the House was being taken up by the introduction of private Bills, whieli had no possible chance of being passed into law during the present session, which was to be devoted to war business only. Mr. W. A. Veitch (Wanganui), opposed the motion, and claimed that members had the right to have measures of a domestic nature discussed by the House. He protested against the motion on principle. He cited the Cost of Living, State Bank, Daylight Saving, Losses Incurred liv Soldiers, Friendly Societies, and Trading with the Enemy Bills as matters of urgency. He also complained that there had been 10 lead from the Government as to what their Imperial policy would be, and lie wished to know what was to be done in regard to assisting the timber trade. He asserted that these and Viany other questions required attention, and should be disposed of before Parliament prorogued. He emphatically protested against any curtailment of private members' privileges. Mr. G. Witty (Riccarton), endorsed the remarks of the previous speaker, and urged that it was imperative that the cost of living should be dealt with. He said that members were willing to stop and put this business through. Mr C. 11. Poole (Auckland West), supported the motion, and argued that the best results could only be secured, so far as the war was concerned, if the .country was satisfied and contented.

Mr. T. K. Sidev (Dunedin South), protested against the motion, which. Mr. W. Nosworthy (Asliburton) supported. The latter said that the much i vexed question of the cost of living had been boiled down into a question of standard of living. Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton), said tliat members' privileges were being filched from them, and he strongly opposed the motion. Mr. Massey asserted that every opportunity had been provided for discussion. He considered that Parliament cost about £.'lo per hour, and every day so far the House had wasted about three hours. Members had taken in an unprecedented manner the advantage of a defect in the Standing Orders. He indicated the business yet to be placed before the House. This included the Discharged Soldiers' Land Settlement Bill, certain war legislation, the Financial Statement, and War Profits Bill. The fact that one or more Minister* might have to visit England had nothing to do with the motion he had that day proposed. The motion was carried, on a' division, by 40 to 12. WAR REGULATIONS AMENDMENT The War Regulations Act Amendment Bill was read a first time. Mr. Herdman indicated that the Bill in(lulled proposals for dealing with tlie liquor traflic and venereal disease. Several members congratulated the Government on bringing down the liquor proposals. Mr. L. M. Isitt hoped that the Government would take advantage of the noble vote over the water. Mr. T. 11. Wilford urged that tlie time had arrived for the Government to take over control of the liquor traffic.

Mr. C. H. Poole wished (hat the Government had been a little more courageous, and placed the hotels under the Shops and Offices Act. The Premier said that owing to extreme pressure of Cabinet work he would ask the House to adjourn until 2.H0 to-morrow. This was agreed to, and the House rose at 4.2") p.m.