PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 August 1917, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

By Telegraph.—Press Association, Wellington, Last Night, The Hou?e met at 2.30 p.m. NEW BILLS. Mr. Webb gave notice to introduce a War Regulations Amendment Bill. Mr. Walker gave notice to introduce an Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act Amendment Bill. LOCAL INDUSTRIES. Replying to Mr. Witty, Mr. Massey said lie agreed that our industries should not be stopped for the hick of raw material, and he would consider the position of the local tanneries. FIRST READINGS. The following Bills were read a first time:—fliristchurch Milk Supply and Markets Amendment Bill (Mr. Ell); Wiiiiitunm Lake Reserve and Public Bodies Empowering Bill (Mr. Myers); Wanganui Harbor Board Vesting Bill (Mr. Veitch); Parliamentary Representation (Expeditionary Force's) Adjustment Bill (Mr. Massey). ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES. . Mr. McCallum asked the Premier if he would take steps to fix the electoral boundaries, giving bath islands a dofiuite number of seats, and avoiding the ";. culty which arose when licensed 1. .:s were shifted into no-license districU. Ha did not suggest this should apply to the next election, but'he asked IhePromioito consider the point. Mr. Massey, in reply, he did not think a licensed house could bo transferred now, He-saw some difficulty while in Britain in the way of fixing boundaries, as tho population was con° slantly shifting. As, however, it was almost certain legislation would be brought down before the next election, he would givo the whole question careful consideration.

ROLLING STOCK COMMISSION'S REPORT.

The Minister of Railways hiid. on the table the report of the Railway Rolling Stock Commission.

Mr. Wilford criticised the evidence and the finding of the commission at length, contending that the Minister had not c. n rricd out his promise to appoint an outside expert to report cu the condition of the railways rollinj; stock, instead Of a commission secretly appointed after the Department had seven "mouths in which to clean things up. ■ Mr. Vc-itdi, Dr. Thack'er' and Mr. niiulmarsli characterised the inquiry as one-sided, and protested against thousands of pounds being wasted in such a futile way at a time when the Do- | minion should be conserving every peni ny. Mr. Hemes, in reply, said the criticism of those members opposing him was simply the result of spleen. Had tbey found one particle of evidence in the repert to justify their attacks they would have acclaimed the commission's work :\< highly valuable to the Dominion. Mr. Wilford had asked for a Royal commission, and having got it, but it not having returned the verdict he expected, he now turned and denounced its proceedings. 1 he charges made by Mr Wilford against the condition of the rolling stock were grave charges, and the necessity to clear up such allegations more than justified the sptting up of the commission. He defended the administration of Mr. Hiley, the general manager, adding that that gentleman's reputation as a railway expert would bo greatly enhanced as the result of his period of public work in New Zealand. The Minister repudiated the giiggc.--.rion (hat the railway administration had suffered in any, way as the result of -.-/. Hiley's connection with the Defence Department, where he was doing invaluable work for the Dominion. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m.

BUDGET DEBATE. The debate on the Budget was resumed by Mr. Veiich, who opened by remarking that Labor leaders had to face the present crisis with a great sense of responsibility, because by their actions public opinion was moulded with a friendly tendency towards Labor, then all would be well, but, if otherwise, then Labor must suffer.

He was of opinion there was great discontent amongst the wage earners, largely because sufficient energy had not been shown in attacking the question of the cost of living. They also complained, and not without reason, of the want of sympathy from the Government, the Premier being well known to be no friend of organised Labor. Profiteering wa* still rampant, and although wages had increased somewhat, that increase did not meet the increased cost of living. The curtailment of railway traffic was being carried out with unnecessary severitv, resulting in the destruction Of country roads, to say nothing of inconveniencing thousands of suburban residents. There was not such a shortage in the running men on the railways to warrant such, drastic economy, He believed'the Premier meant well when he introduced the Rent Bill, but the fact remained that the clause permitting rents to be fixed on a per cent, basis nullified tho whole scheme, and he urged the Government to lepeai that clause. Tho Premier remarked that the adoption of such a course resulted in the stoppage of building operations in Now South Wales. '

Mr. Veitch, continning, said that would not apply in New Zealand. He recommended the; proposal to pay a war honus to civil tenants, hut that the anomalies discovered last year should ho eliminated, and payment made in a thoroughly equitable manner. Everyone whose salary was not higher than at the rate of £315 should receive a bonus. The excessive number of resignations from the public service was commented upon. Then the speaker urged a greater development oS co-operative ideals, especially in the direction of -shipping and distribution of our products so that consumers in the Dominion would get produce cheaper, anil when exported to London would get 'better returns. Mr. Hudson regretted the absence from the Budget of a generous programme of public works benefiting the back-blocks settlers, whoso roads and schools wore bei'ig stormed in <-a maimer highly detrimental to oountW committees. Our old-age pensioners were deserving of mere liberal treatment. Thrift was punished by our pensions regulations, and lie put in a plea for a substantial increase in payments,, contending that they should be not restricted but universal in application. Mr, MeCpmbs said the policy of tinBudget was "Get rich quick, for to* morrow .the soldiers -will return," the idea evidently being that profits, shbiild be made Vhilo the opportunity, lasted; l .T.a« wilcji did not inesiUf*

to conscript men, would not look at th# scheme outlined by the memberfcw TimMu to conscript wealth. B» ridiculed the abolition of the excess prttfitt tax, which was a confession of impotency on the part of the Minister, who should save followed Mr. Bonar Law's example and amended the tax by eliminating the anomalies. The Board of Trade bad Kept down the price of butter, Vut bx& put up the prie« ef bread, f«» bread w<« dearer in New Zealand than ip tlu re.moteat villages of Irsnte, wkite fte i general cost of living had butt mawritstg all the time. -What formerly twt a sovereign was now costing JEI 7* 44 The Coat of Living Bill wa» tb.9 greatest piece of political hypocrisy over foisted on 'Parliament. Discussing ths sup* ply of coal and wheat, he said that when the coal miners talked of "going slow" sedition regulations were passed and the men sent to gaol, but when the farmers refused to grow wheat because they could not get the price they wanted they were not sent to gaol because they were friends of the Government. With all the talk of going slow, tho miners had produced 48,511 tons of coal in excess of the previous year's record) while the farmers grew 100,000 acres less wheat than in the previous year. Mr Dixon (Port Chalmers) expressed., his approval of most of" the taxing proposals, but beer and spirits could an 4 should bear heavier imposts. He con,cluded by suggesting that a special com' mittee of the House should be set up toassist the Government with matters of policy in connection with the wart The House rose at 11.20 p.m.