PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 October 1917, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The House met at 7.30. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. In answer to Mr. Forbes, the Premier stated that he did not think the Electoral Boundaries Commissioners had yet completed their-work. The results will be pjaced before the. public at the earliest moment. So far, no Minister- had seen the altered boundaries.

Replying to Mr. Payne, Mr. Massay said lie must decline to make any coiik ments on tin remarks of the magistrate at the Wairuna inquiry, that matter being Biibjud ; ':e, but he would be glad to receive information regarding Germans employed on our waterfronts.

Replying to Mr. Payne, Mr. Herdman said he was at present looking into certain transactions under the Money Lenders' Act. with a view to cheeking usury. If necessary, an amendment of the law would bo made.

Replying to Mr. Okey, the Premier said arrangements had been made tg increase the amount lent to returned soldier* on chattel security from £SOO to £7501 Replying to Mr. .Payne, Mr. Hanan said he had under consideration the establishment of one or more special schools for defective children in the North Island. The matter would he brought under the notice, of Cabinet.

COMPULSORY TECHNICAL EDUCATION,

The Minister of Education laid on the table the (report on technical education. During the course of his reply to the discussion, the Minister said .he hoped the time was not far distant when the Government would be able to establish compulsory day classes in connection with technical classes. EFFICIENCY BOARD.

Mr. Massey announced the names of the Efficiency Board as follows: Mr. Ferguson (chairman), Mr. Massey, Sir Josoph Ward, Mcssr? Begg (Otago), Fros- ! tick (Canterbury), Elliott (Auckland), 'and Moss (Wellington country district), and stated he had no doubt the board would do a great deal of good for the country, and that all friction would be avoided for the future. AGE FOR SERVICE OUT OF COUNTRY. Sir James Allen explained that last week he staled it was not intended to send men of 43 years out of the country. That was an error. Ilia reference should have been to men of 44 years and over. The House then proceeded to discuss answers given to questions by Ministers last week. DISTRIBUTION OF FISH. Replying to questions regarding the supply of fish in inland towns, Mr. Russell stated that the Government had the whole matter under serious consideration. The question was a most complicated one. and during war time, with the great call on railway haulage ami finances, there was little chance of very much being done just now. However. when normal times returned, there was no doubt, some revolutionary mcthodb for the distribution of fish would be resorted to. OTHER MATTERS. A return presented to Parliament shows that 6S journalists have, so far, proceeded to the front. Mr. Massey announced that the War Pensions Bill would be considered at 2.30 to-morrow. The House rose at 11.15 p.m.