PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 August 1917, Page 8

PARLIAMENT.

■>■ ... LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. V ,r By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. I The Council resumed this afternoon. Hon. J. T. Paul gave notice to ask . Whether the Government has considered ( the present position of the Legislative | Council, and, if .so, does the Govern- , ment consider the, present membership , of 24, a proportion of which number only i regularly attend, constitutes an efficient '; body for the effective transaction of tvnd the responsibility attaching to a second chamber, also whether it will tell the country plainly what it proposes to do with the Council as regards its constitution. The Council adjourned at 2.35. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BANISTERS' REPLIES. The House met at 2.30. Replying to Hon. R. 11. Rhodes, Hon, G. W. Russell said he was endeavoring to make a collection of war trophies, With a view to establishing a special section in the Dominion Museum. To this end he was working in conjunction with the Defence Department. He hoped Parliament 'would vote a substantial sum tp assist this project. Rqilying to Mr. Nosworthy, the Minister fOr Defence stated that the Military Service Boards had been instructed that [arms anust not be depleted of labor, and that no farm must be left in such a condition that it cannot be efficiently carried on. Replying to Mr. Buick, the Minister for Defence said that boys on milking farms could be exempted from Saturday territorial drills on application to group officers. Possibly the whole scheme of territorial drills would have to bo revised. Replying to Mr. Ngata, the Minister for Defence said he would communicate with the genera! officer commanding to inquire whether it would be possible to let the Main Body and the Maori Contingent return together. LIFE OF PARLIAMENT. Mr. Witty moved for leave to introduce the Parliamentary Election Postponement Amendment Bill, to repeal clauso 2 of tho main Act, postponing the general election for twelve months. As the right to postpone elections 'was denied to local bodies, why should Parliament continue? Dr. Thicker seconded-the motion, on the ground that there had been a great change in public opinion since 1914. It was necessary to Know what the people | now thought of Parliament. Sir James Allen said lie could not take tho motion seriously. At a time like this what was warned 'Mas constructive criticism, not iconaelism. He defended the administration of the Defence Department, and claimed that no country had dealt effectively with the cost of living as New Zealand. Mr. Massev contended that during the tvar period people did not desire such a change as this applied to local and general politics. He, however, would not stand in the 'way of an election, lie was preparing for the elections now, as would be seen by a Bill coming before the House to-night regarding electoral boundaries. If members wanted an election they had only to say so. At tho same time he did not favor an election, as several members had gone to the front on the understanding that no election would be held. j The Bill was introduced and read a j first time. 5 THE FINANCE.BILL. \ 3 On the House resuming at 7.30 the j Finance Bill was introduced by Gover- ' nor's message. Sir Joseph Ward entered upon a detailed explanation of tho various clauses, stressing their variation from the existing law. At the conclusion of his speech the Bill was read a first time, and the second reading 'was set down for Thursday. RIVER BOARDS. Hon. G. W. Russell moved the si-cond reading of the Rivers Boards Amendment 'Bill, the provisions of which he explained. Mr. Field (Otaki) approved the Bill, but suggested giving the setlers power to deal with rivers not controlled by existing boards. Mr. Young commended the Bill, but thought that what was wanted was a more comprehensive measure creating larger bodies with 'wider scope, including tho draining of swamps. Mr. Russell said it had been made perfectly clear by the debate that our local government system required to bo brought up to date. That, however 1 , was too big a question to enter upon at the present time. He thought the best thing to do was to get a Bill drafted during the recess, consolidating the river board - legislation, and endeavor to pass it next iyear. The question of dealing with our rivers was, however, largely one of finance, and the House 'would have to face the question before tho matter could be dealt with comprehensively! The Bill was read a second time. The House rose at 10.50.