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PARLIAMENT. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Lakt Night. In the Legislative Council to-day, Hon. J. T. Paul asked a question relating to the present membership of the Council, and quoted statistics showing it had fallen from ji maximum of 48 to 24 in the present year. Replying. Sir Francis Bell said the Government considered the present members of the Council constituted a body well fitted for the effective transaction of business, and was satisfied that the present members duly discharged their responsibilities. Any addition to its numbers would not increase the Council's opportunities for usefulness at present. Tile subject of appointments to tlie Council required very careful consideration and deliberation. It could not be dealt with during the absence of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance, and since their return the Cabinet had been closely occupied with legislation and business. The Government proposed at au early date' to advise the appointment of additional members to the Council. Regarding the constitution of the Council, the members of the National Cabinet were not -united in opinion on the subject. It was a condition of the combination of parties in 1915 that no question relating to the constitution of the Council should be dealt with by th e National Cabinet, and ; that the coming into operation of the i legislative Council Act of li)M should , bo postponed till after the next ensuing ! general election. The Council adjourned at 2.40. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

PUNISHING deserters; ■ The House met at 2.30. Mr. Anderson gave notice of his intention to move an. amendment to the Expeditionary Forces Dill, providing that deserters should not be able to acquire land in New Zealand and that, the Gover-nor-General have power to forfeit land owned by desevters. The Painters and Decorators Iltalth Protection Bill was introduced by Mr. Veiteh and read a first tiuu.. EARLY CLOSING OF HOTELS. The Premier moved for leave to introduce the Sale of Liquor Restriction l!ili. Mr. Wright asked the Premier to give tiie House some information reyurdiii" the Rill. u Mr. Jsitt said that if all lie heard was true, it was quite evident tlwt again the National Cabinet was not going to give effect to the prayer of the peonle to restrict the sale of liquor between the hours of G p.m. and i) a.m. He hoped the Government would not once nn;re fail to realise the aspirations of the people. Jf no. he could only 1 compare the Cabinet to an unfaithful jockey pulling a willing horse, and consequently New Zealand would v be lagging bthind other countries in the procession towards reform which would bring the Dominion to the highest point of efficiency. Mr. Payne combated Mr. Isitt'g arguments. " Dr. Thacker advocated State control as the best means of removing objections to the liquor traffic. Mr. Harris that SO per cent, of the people of the country demanded six o'clock closing. He appealed to the Government to give members a free hand to deal with the Bill as they thought lit. If six o'clock closing was not agreed to, then the question should ha referred to a referendum.

Hon, Xgata did not agree .with the argument that because the people in ISI4 declared against national prohibition there should not he any alteration in tho law. Mr. Webb asked the Premier if, in the event of the Bill .being carried, he would introduce a Bill adjusting the rents of hotels. Mr. Poole and Mr. McCom)>3 discussed tho Bill from the Labor point of view, urging curtailment of the hours. Mr.llassey said he did not propose to make a second reading speech, 'but merely to explain the provisions of the Bill. Tho hours were reduced from (i a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 10 p.m. to a p.m., or a reduction of five hours. Chartered clubs were placed on the seme footing as licensed houses. Bellamy's also would have to close at the same hours as clubs. The Government did not 'propose to make the Bill a pnrty question, but every member would have a free hand to vote as lie pleased, There was no proposal in the Bill to take a referendum on the question of the reduc;tion of hours. Cabinet'had not considered the question of adjusting the rents of hotels in the event of the reduction of hours being carried, but he probably would refer that matter to his colleagues before the Bill went into committee. There was no proposal to repeal the anti-shouting law, and the Bill would come into force ou Ist November. The debate on the second reading would taiko place on Tuesday night. The Bill was introduced and passed the second reading.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. Replying to, Mr. Poland, Sir. Massey said the {National Efficiency Board ; would bo reconstituted. Some of the members were -willing to resume office, and lie hoped the new arrangement would work smoothly. The House rose at 5,30. The following answera to questions were given by Ministers: That the Govornment was again considering the possibility of allowing Jugo Slavs to proceed, to the front. That A early last month representations wore made to the Imperial authorities with the object of deflecting a steamer for the purpose of loading case oil for tl(o Dominion, and the Government is hopeful that the necessary arrangements will be ■ made, That the statement that the Union SteamsMp Company or other shipping companies give first choice, when engaging labor, to unnaturalised Germans has no foundation, nor is there any reason for believing that the gangers chosen are often German and get higher wages than British subjects. Instructions were given some time ago that no unnaturalised enemy alien be employed on wharves or about shipping. That it is not considered necessary to sot up a board to investigate inventions fidarifig on tho war. That tho son of an Anglican Bishop competed at tho recent qualifying examination for commissions at Trenthani, and this candidate, although young) passed sixteenth in the examination. (Six were finally selected, and amongst these he stood second in order of recomrti[nidation. That the question of granting extra duty pay to members of tho Now Zealand medical service employed in New , Zaaljmd js undar consideration.. That

creases cannot bo provided tat fioutfl African war pensioners and superaaaiM atod State employees. That tho di£9P cultics of friendly societies rcg&ftUgf making good to benefit funds th® tyfttr tributions of soldier members on aativaj service are appreciated 'by the Govern* ment and will receive prompt considertw tion. i i 1 The House resumed at 7.30. THE EFFICIENCY BOAUD, Mr. Massey announced that he laj consulted the Minister of Finance Sinerf the House rose, and he had agreed to go on the Efficiency Board with him (Mr. Massey). There would thus ,be two Min« isters and five members on the new board, which, he hoped, would do good work in that form. Some of the present; members of the Iboard were retiring) but others would take their place. SHOPS AND OFFICES BILL. ' ; The House went into committee ori the Shops and Offices Amendment Bill. At the Premier's suggestion, Mri Hln<l< marsh, -who introduced the Bill, agreed to hand it over to the Government. Th 4 Premier promised to have it put into a<M ceptable form. ■ ' ' ELECTION POSTPONEMENT v Progress was repotted on the motiotf that the Parliamentary Election Post ponement Amendment Bill, providing fot a general election to be held this yea? instead of next, be read a second time. The Premier raised a point of ordel that inasmuch as the Bill, if passel would bring about a general sooner than contemplated, it was a<| Appropriation Bill, and therefore not come before the Houlse as & member's Bill. Mr. Witty, who introduced the Bill complained that the Premier's objection was purely technical, and challenged hin) to let it go to a division. Tho Speaker upheld Mr. Massey's oIM jection and the Bill was ruled out. HUTT ROAD BILL. Mr. Wright moved the second reading of tho Ilutt Road Amendment 'Bill, pro< viding for the laying down of & xnoto( track on tho Hutt Road. j It was read a second time. ' CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION) Tho second fading of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act Amend* ment Bill was formally moved by itr, Veitch, on behalf of Mr. Walker, and agreed to. DAYLIGHT SAVING BILL. Mr. Sidey moved the second reading of the Definition oi Time Bill, urgina there was no better means of effecting economy in time of war.

Mr. (key said tho country party W'orld not endeavor to kill the Bill on the second reading, but indicated that itwould have little chance of passing. The Bill was read a second tltaQ on tho voices. MAORI WAR MEDALS. The second reading of the Maori Wat Medal Bill was moved by Mr. Wright! who explained that the measure, pro« vided for Mayri war veterans to Tat S'Veu medals, 'even though they novel' were under fire. M-anv men/he said, who'wero engaged in transport duty did equal service with - the men who \vera under fire. '■ The Bill was read a second time after a brief discussion. ' '" ABOLITION Oj? TOLL GATES. The second rending of the Toll 6ate« Abolition Bill was moved by Mr. 0. A. Wilkinson. Tho mover said'the Bill not. only abolished existing toll gates, but made it impossible to erect toll gate! for the future. * On the motion of Mr. Nosworthy th< debate was adjourned. At the request of Dr. Thacker, th« Lyttolton Harbor Board Amendment Bill was struck of! the ordei paper. Tho Honso adjourned at 0.20 p.m. io enable members to attend a meeting ot the Empire Parliamentary Association,

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19170913.2.41

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1917, Page 5

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,599

PARLIAMENT. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1917, Page 5

PARLIAMENT. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1917, Page 5

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