PARLIAMENT.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The House met at 2.30. Petitions were presented in favor of closing bars at G p.m. One from Auckland was signed by 20,798 persons. NYMOTT'S CASE. Mr. Payne gave notice of his intention to ask the Government if they will set Up a Royal Commission to inquire into the circumstances attending, and the results following, the desertion to the Germans of Private Nymotb on the Western front. Replying to Dr. Thacker, the Premier said the Government was in communication with the British Government on the question of feeding the Belgian people. NEW BILLS. The following (Bills were introduced and read a first time:—(Definition of Time Bill (Mr. Sidey); Proportional Representation and Effective Voting Bill (Mr. Veitc.li); Dominion State Bank Bill (Mr. Veitch); Commercial Trusts Amendment Bill (Mr. Veitch); Police Force Amendment Bill (Mr. Veitch). Mr. Brown gave notice of his intention to introduce the Napier High School Empowering Bill. REMOVAL OF SAVINGS BANK LIMIT. On the laying on the talble of a pajper relating to the post office savings bank by Sir Joseph Ward, Mr. (Payne took occasion to urge the removal of the limitation on the amount of deposit on which interest is paid. He contended that the limitation was institued in the interests of the (banks and other lending institutions, and the removal of the limitation would speedily convert the post office savings bank into a national State bank. _ Mr. Ell quite agreed that no limitation should be placed on deposits entitled to interest, 'but any attempt to convert the savings bank into a commercial bank would be disastrous. Sir Joseph Ward said the limitation was necessary, otherwise they would find large sums would be deposited for a short term, and then they would be suddenly called on to pay out perhaps millions. This would necessitate the retention in the (bank of large balances, and therdby restrict its usefulness. The post office savings bank was never intended to be used as a commercial bank, but as a depository for the small savings of the people. The reasons dictating the position of limitation in question were so strong that no Government could disregard them. THE ALLEGED SPECIAL TRAIN. Mr. Massey made a personal explanation regarding the statement that he and the Finance Minister travelled from Auckland on their arrival back in the Dominion by a special train. He read a statement from the Railway Department showing that it was found necessary to divide the Main Trunk train into two parts, owing to the pressure due to the arrival of the British mail, and Ministers travelled by the second part, by which any of the public could also have travelled. He also denied that he received a house allowance while absent from the Dominion. The KeaiHration of Names Bill was introduced by Governor's message and read a first time. MINISTERS' VISIT TO BRITAIN.
_ "Ntr. Wilford commenced the discussion on the statements made yesterday by the Premier and Minister of Finance concerning their visit to Britain. He warmly approved of such visits, and thought the country should not I>oerudsrc the money they cost. The War Conference was memorable in history, find he was particularly glad the confer/ once did not attempt to settle the future constitution of the Empire until the fiscal and oher economic .problems had been decided 'by the peoples concerned. He proceeded to trace the history of German entry into the Pacific. On'this great question the Dominions must, for the future, have a voice, and if necessary we should have a voice in the general foreign policy of the Empire. All sorts of intricate questions of race and color were certain to arise in .connection with the government of the 'Pacific Islands, and, once having obtained the right to present our. views relating thereto, we must not 16t the opportunity slip by unused. 'On the question of Imperial defence, lie maintained we. must he prepared to take our share of the responsibilities and shoulder our 'burdens. The race for markets will be furious when the war is over, and we must lie prepared to enter into wise reciprocal treaties to secure those markets and maintain a liaviv] force sufficient to protect those markets. Mr. Malcolm regretted the statement that our meat fell into the partial control of the Meat Trust, and lie hoped steps would (be taken to eliminate this control We should demand representation in Imperial affairs, hut he could not agree with the 'Premier that the Premier that the British Empire had no riglvt to tax itself for Imperial pur- ■ poses. !
Mr. E. Newman said he was once a confirmed free tra-der, ibut was now converted to Imperial preference. Mr. Isitt said that in his opinion Empire federation was bound to come,, and there was danger in delay. The difficulty in the way of that federation, was the Imperial tariff, and he was surprised at the light and airy way in which many people appeared to think this momentous problem could ibe settled. We had no right to attempt to force preferential tariff 011 the British people if they were unable to see eye to eye with lis. Fast and cheap communication would be an enormous factor in directing British trade into British channels, and would weld together the different elements destined to 'become even a greater Empire than we yet kndw. Dr. Newman regretted the Premier had not agreed with his suggestion to | hold a secret session. Mr. Witty criticised the action of Ministers in demanding high prices for New Zealand produce from the British authorities. We had 110 right to extract the last shilling from the Empire. The people of Britain had heavy burdens to bear, and we must be fair to them. He complained that while we Irad thousands of tons of food in the freezing stores, prices to the people were the highest known in the history of the Dominion. Dr. Thacker, referring to demobilisation, advocated the establishment of State industries, such as working iron ore, paper-maiking, wool scouring, and margcrine manufacture. Mr, Poolo said that if Imperial federation ever came albout, British manufacturers must adapt their wares to colonia.l and foreign requirements, If thej did
g" ■■I.'IMBMHLI 1 this there would be such an impetus to British industry as would remove all cause of industrial anxietv after the war. He regretted exceedingly that our Ministers had not been able to mate?, .bet-i ter shipping arrangements for the' Dominion, because it wa3 no use talking of produce if there were no means oB transporting it to the Home markets. He also denounced in strong terms the merger of the Union Company with the P. and 0. After the supper adjournment the discussion ,'vas resumed by Messrs Payne and Reed. THE MEAT TITO?, Mr. Massey, in reply, said he proposed to refer the question of the meat trusts to a committee of the House for inquiry, but lie did not think much could is done by way of cheeking operations till after the war. If neeessary he was prepared' to give witnesses protection against prosecution. ENCOURAGING 'DEVEIXJPMENT, The reason why he and the Finance Minister were so emphatic on the rethil th - • d ° Uble incolDe "tax was that the Dominions wanted capital for development, and anything wMch 'hindered the investment of capital in voung countries was harmful from the point of view of the State. This was not a' question that affected the individual alone, it affected the State as .well, PREFERENCE, wi!lV 1 i! ff!TUk f ' h / s l views preference, which lie contended would have an Empire 'building influence, and it was from that aspect he was looking at it We' had learned many invaluable lessons during the war, and one of these, he helped, would be that in future Britain wJuld f ™ a " S ood3 the same "seal plane as Dominion goods He agreed there should be no (bargaining for any such advantage as preference, and lie was confident it would not make the slightest difference to our loyalty whether we obtain conditions favorable to us or not. Ho described what he saw of the navy and expressed the opinion that no better men were ever placed in command of our interests than Admiral (Roatty and Sir Douglas Haig.whd were directing the fighting forces of tha Kmpii'e. 3 THE NEED FOR POPLXATION. There was great need for populating J ' territory with British people after the war. If we do not take this precaution, more than likely other nations would say to us.. "If you do not nil up the vacant spaces, you must hand them over to us, mho can do it." This being so, he was anxious to get everything in readiness for many British soldiers, who, (because of their association with the overseas soldiers, will be anxious to make their homes in these new lands, and consequently he had taken every opportunity to induce the people of Britain ts come out and see the Dominions for themselves, as they coukl not possibly judge our great potentialities from the shore of England. Mr. Massev concluded with a euiogium of America, and said it gavo him the greatest satisfaction to find the two great branches of the Anglo-Saxon race row fighting sido (by side in the cause of civilisation and humanity. (Applause.) The House rose at 11.5 p.m.
j, TUESDAY'S SESSION, Wellington, July 3. The House met at 2.30. Ti>e Wanganui Church Acre Amend* ment Bill was introduced by Mr. Veitch for the first time. Mr. Vernon Reid, recently elected for the Bay of Islands, took the oath and his seat. Further petitions in favor of earlfl closing of hotel bars -were presented, '' REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr. .Parr, Mr. Massey gaii ins attention had been called to the faeti that two steamers were unloading in New Zealand ports, and that they proposed o proceed to Australia to "fill up there. _ He had cabled the Home authorities asking that the insulated space in these steamers !be loaded with Sew Zealand produce, and he hoped to have a reply in a few days. Hon. G. W. RusselVin reply to Mr. McCallum, said the Revocation of Naturalisation Bill did not contemplate cancelling the naturalisation of persons born in the countries of our Allies. Mr. Massey, in reply to Mr. Walker, said he was not prepared to say whether cabinet would consider the proposal to release Mr. Wefbb, meralber for Grey, from incarceration. Ho. would' requira notice of the question. Replying to Mr. Witty, the Hon W. D. S. iMacDonald said there had been no negotiations ibethveen any syndicate and the Government for the purchase of the State coal mine. The output of the minn this year was the largest on record, except one year, and this year tlia net profit was £18,527, as against £2.500 last year. NEW BILLS, , The Expiring Laws Continuance Bill was introduced by Governor's message and read a first time. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time: Foxton Harbor Board Act, 1908, Amendment Bill (W, H. Field), Tauranga Harfoor Act Amendment and Foreshore Vesting (Bill (Hon. Hcrries), Contractors 'Relief Bill (Hon. Herdman).
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Taranaki Daily News, 5 July 1917, Page 4
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1,858PARLIAMENT. Taranaki Daily News, 5 July 1917, Page 4
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