PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 October 1917, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Council resumed this afternoon. Sir Francis Bell reported that the Statutes Revision Committee had not finished consideration of the Sale of Liquor Restriction Bill, and would probably deal with it again this evening. The Council adjourned at 2.4 a. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The House met at 2.30. ■REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr. Poland, the Minister for Education said the question of raising the pay of school teachers, who enlist as non-commissioned officers or privates, to the level of those who enlist as officers, was under consideration by Cabinet.

Replying to Mr. Walker, Sir Joseph Ward said the export of sugar had been stopped, even in parcels to soldiers through the medium of the post office. In answer to a question, the Preriiier said that a New Zealand business man, who had been resident in England for some years, was being sent out to supervise the shipment of next season's wool clip. Replying to further questions, Ministers gave the following answers: That the Land Purchase Board alveady has power to purchase the freehold property of any member of the Expeditionary Force, should it consider the land suitable for subdivision and settlement, and the price reasonable, In addition, an amendment of the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act, which will be introduced shortly, will grant further facilities to enable all classes of holdings to be acquired for discharged soldiers. That the Government will grant every facility possible to the organisers of the movement to enable the Jugo Slavs to assist the Allies. Cabinet will again consider the question of the Slavs enrolling in a regiment for service in Serbia so soon as report's are received from the committee set up by the Jugo Slavs. The Government is also considering the question of organising these men for home service. That during the Christmas holidays Trentham camp will be practically emptied, therefore there will be every opportunity to air the huts adequately. That it is lioped legislation will be passed this session giving certain powers to the Department's juvenile probation officers that will enable them to deal to some extent with any excessive amount of street trading, long hours, or overwork affecting some of the city children. In order to deal fully with the matter it is necessary to secure certain amendments in the Industrial Schools Act, and the Department ha 9 under consideration the inclusion of such amendments during a general revision of the Industrial Schools Act which is now being made.

THE EFFICIENCY BOARD. The Premier announced the new arrangements under whith the reconstructed Efficiency Board is to work. lie ."aid that the non-political members of the board would be free to make inquiries and recommendations on the lines of the original order of reference, which had not been changed. . Such reports are to be submitted to the Premier and Minister of Finance, and if they are unable to agrco with the recommendations a meeting of the full board will bo l>eld for of the questions in dispute In the event of no agreement being come to, tlieli the points at issue will he referred to the Government to be dealt with as it deems desirable. Mr. Massey expressed the opinion tba.t this arrangement would result in the avoidance of friction, which interfered with the work of the board in the past. A NEW BILL. The Social Hygiene Bill (Hon. G, W. Russell), a measure to prevent the spread of venereal disease, was introduced by Governor's messago and read a first time. The remainder of the sitting was occupied by the discussion of reports of select committees. WAR. 1 * PENSIONS BILL

When the House resumed at 7.30, the amendment to the War Pensions Aet was introduced by Governor's message. The Minister explained ilia: according to a promise last nlftht lit - : proposed to to amend clause 3 so vlait the pensions payable shall not be less in any cuac than if they ware assessed in the manner indicated in the °econd coiitnm of IJie third schedule. This secured to a soldier that the amount fixed in tile schedule should be the minimum payable. He also proposed omit clause 15,-and to substitute a new clausi- vhieli widened the definition of those entitled to pensions and made provision for the dependents of a man who lost Jiic life bv accident or otherwise than at the front These amendments were agreed to on the voices, and tlio Minister moved to report progress. The Premier explained that it had been discovered that several items :n the schedule required revision, and it was thought better to put the schedule in proper form before going <"n with the Bill in eommitteo of the whole House. Progress was reported. UOCAL BILLS. Tho Premier stated that he proposed to ask the House to go on with loeal Bills, feveral of which wye in an advanced stage.

Progress was reported on Hie Waimakariri Harbor District and Empowering Bill, there being some hostility to it. The Wellington City Trading Departments Reserves Renewal Funds Bill was put through the committee stage, read a third time, and passed. The following local Bills were also put through all stages and passed;— Wellington City Empowering Bill (Mr. Wright), Day's 'Bay Sanitation and Water Supply Bill (Mr. Wright), Tauranga lllkbor Amendment and lforeshore Bill (SJjpn. Mr. Ilerrles), Manawatu County Loan and Empowering Bill (Mr. Newman), Western Taieri Land Drainage Bill (Mr. Scott). On the motion of Sir J. Findlny, tTle Napier Harbor Board Empowering and Vesting Bill was postponed till next sitting day. MINISTERIAL ANSWERS. The House then proceeded to discuss the answers given by Ministers to questions during the afternoon sitting. During thn course of his reply to a discussion the Premier stated he had a Bill in course, of preparation for the purpose of dealing .with imornved methods of settlement of

discharge*! soldiers. The Bill was not quito ready for Hubmissfi" <o Cabinet, but he hop'ed to do during tie week* end. and lie thought Giat when members saw it they be pleased with it. Legislation was not necessary to deal with the farms of shirkers. He an* nounced that the Government had completed the .purchase iof Glad brook estate of 6000 acres in Otago, the property ol Mr. John, Roberts, for subdivision amongst 1 the returned soldiers. The House rose at 0.35 p.m.