PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 August 1917, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL By Telegraph.—-Press Association. Wellington, Last Night, The Legislative Council resumed this afternoon. The Imprest Supply Bill was received from the Lower House, put through all Its stages, and passed. The leader of the House (Sir F. D. Cell) announced thai ho had received a •able from Vancouver from the Speaker (the Hon. Johnston), stating:: "All well So far."

At 2.40 the Council adjourned until Tuos>(Uiy"iiext, tho leader expressing the hope that all councillors would be present, as tho Council, in conjunction with tho Lower House, intended to pass a resolution dealing with the anniversary of the outbreak of the war,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Tho House met at 2.30. The Hon. G. W. Russell gave notice of his intention to introduce the Registration of Alieus Bill. CONGRATULATING OUR FORCES. Replying to Mr. Malcolm, the Premier Said Cabinet was now considering a proposal to tako advantage of the versary of the declaration of war congratulate our forces on their splendid and heroic deeds, and convey, to them the thanks of Parliament. He had no doubt this would be done. FOREIGNERS ACQUIRING TAEA2CAKI LAN®. ■Replying to Mr. Pearce, who stated that while sons of Britons'were being Sent away to the front, foreigners remaining behind were rapidly acquiring Ttiranaki farm landCVthe Premier said that if the purchaser wUs a naturalised British subject 'ho did not think they had any power at .the present time to prevent them accflfring land without commuting a breach of international law. If the purchaser was not a naturalised subject, then he thought tho lav/ as it stood woulij prevent such a purchase, but he would refer the point to tho Crown law officers.

EFFICIENCY BOARD'S RECOMMENDATION'S. Sir James Allen laid on the table a feport of the Efficiency Board covering a. summary oi recommendations to date. There were, ho said, other special reports, which would bo laid before the House as soon as possible. Replying to criticism, tho Minister stated' he could not say how many of the Board's recommendations had been adopted by tho Government, but ho believed all the recommendations concerning soldiers', farms, but one, lutd been adopted by the Cabinet. In many cases the Board was arranging to carry on the business of men sent to the front, and the businesses of men of the Second DivigioTi would be dealt with in due .course. The Premier promised, in response to a rwiliest by members, that a day would be given to discuss the report later on in the session.

AN URGENT BILL Expiring Laws Continuance Bill, continuing certain war measures for another year, was, on the motion of Mr. Herdman, put through as a matter of urgency. I REVOCATION OF NATURALISATION The Hon. G. W. Russell moved the second reading of the Revocation of Naturalisation Bill. Explaining the measure he said the Bill had gone to the Governor-in-Couneil, who had power to revoke, if necessary, the naturalisation of enemy subjects acquired under various provisions of our law. He stated that at present there were more than ,340 aliens interned in New Zealand, of whom 828 were Germans. He had no desire to cast any stigma on the German nation, as a whole. Many who had come to the Dominion years ago had been most excellent settlers, but in a matter of this kind the Government could not afford to run any risks.

Replying to a question the Minister said there would be another Bill coming down dealing with the central question. The Registration of Aliens Bill was read a second time.

IDENTITY OF TRADERS. The second reading of the Registration of Business Names Bill was moved by the Hon. Herdman, who explained the object was to enable people trading in Now Zealand to know who they were trading with. If foreigners are interested in business trading in New Zealand that fact would be made known by the Bill. 'Persons acting on behalf ot foreigners' agencies, must declare who their principal# are. Mr. Walford said the Bill was a fine Bill, but he asked if it would be carried into effect. Some of the penalties wore not sufficiently drastic. If the Bill is worth passing it was worth malting effective. Mr. Parr said it would be found moat .difficult to confine New Zealand trade to British channels. The public was always sorely tempted to purchase in the cheapest market only. It may protect the ptilic against themselves. They should put prohibitive tariff on alien goods. The Hon. Buddo declared that everything would depend on administration. "recommended tho appointment of special officers to enforce the provisions Unless penal tie? were made drastic aliens would find it cheaper to avoid registration. „ Messrs Witty and Field (Nelson), Hudson and Thacker supported tho Bill The Minister, in reply, said he wM i prepared to consider the suggestions of member? on the subject of increasing the [.penalties. The Bill, he thought, must do great good. The Bill was. read a second time, aud the House adjourned till 2.30 p.m. tomorrow.