PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 July 1916, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

I! , LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, By Telegraph.—Press Aseoclatloi, Wellington. Last Nigßt, . The Council met at 2.30 p.m. ( An amendment to the Military Service Bill giving power to compulsorirjli inoculate or vaccinate members of thf! Expeditionary Forces was agreed to The Council rose at 2.40, ' JJ HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES|) cost of Lima The House met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Mr. L. M. Isitt, the Phu'l nuer said that opportunity would 1)4 given to the House to discuss -the coal, of living before the session closed. T< •l ORCHARD TAX BILL. 4 An Orchard Taj' Bill was introduce*! by Governor's message. Mr. W. D. sj McDonald explained that the Bill wa4 promoted in accordance with the wiihe* of the Fruit Growers' Federation. 1% provided for a tax of Is per acre on commercial orchards. The tax would be, collected by the Government and handeoj over to the Fruit Growers' Federation to be expended by them on the develop.' nent of the fruit industry and markets. both within and beyond" New Zealand' The tax would probably realise £3oo(| per annum. '' i The Bill, which was generally ap* proved, was read a first time and r# t erred to the Agricultural Committee. ._ NEW ZEALAND WOUNDED IN ENGLAND. Mr. J. Allen made a statement n* garding the hospital arrangement foij wounded in England. These had befcq completely reorganised under' Brigadier* General Richardson. The whole ar«' rangements were now under New Zea* landers, including nurses, and were all ' that could be desired. THE RAILWAYS. The Minister for Railways laid o| the table his annual railways stale* inenl. A lengthy discussion ensued lasting until the dinner adjournment when the) - paper was ordered to be printed. ' i EVENING SITTING. $J The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. ' An Imprest Supply Rill, appropriating £1)71,801), was introduced by Governor's message. On the motion' to go into Committee, of. Supply, Mr., Ell drew-at« tention to the delay in bringing down the annual railways statement, and ventilated alleged grievances of workmen. Mr. Payne urged the Government to legiu to formulate a scheme for finding employment for disabled returned soldiers. Mr. Herries said the railway returns had been published in April 'last, and even without the £200,000 derived from the increased rates, he believed they, would show a record year. The earnings had increased from £3 10s 7d pefl cent, to £4 Us 4d, and there was every) indication Ciat the, next statement) would prove equally satisfactory. He} denied the statement that the rollingj stock was not in as satisfactory a condition as it should be. He admitted| that many works, such as stationsy buildings, and siding were necessary, butt these could not be carried out unless members favored an extensive borrow* ing policy f or public works. He favoritism in the expenditure in thei Auckland district, but said that eertainj engagements had been entered into there; which had to be carried out. ' Mr. Witty urged that the Government should introduce legislation dealing with} live cost of living, He wanted to'aeej food and clothing dealt with the samej at- rent. It would have been wiser tot have reduced the cost of living in pre« fereiiee to raising wages, Mr. Masscy defended the attitude of the Government on the purchase of wheat from Canada in 1915, He said the luss on the transaction was £IO,OOO. 1 Mr. .1 -nnings voiced the wants of the, b.ulbh'iks teitlcrs. Commenting on tbef alleged prevalence of land aggregation, he said that if he could not prove Ms/ allegations before a Commission of In'piiry he w-.uld resign his seat. Mi. Webb said his sympathy was with the ray-back settlers. He protosted; against the action of the Public Works' Deportment in not putting votes on the; Estimates for new works. At 11.40, the House went into Committee () f Ways and Means. The Bill, was put through its remaining stages, and the House rose at 11.50 p.m. I