PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 November 1918, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

■ —«•»■ —■ '' ' HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Lagi Night, Tho House met at 2.30 pra. KgW BILLS, Mr.McCallum asked leave to mtrotfuce a new Protection Bill to regulate the prices of loeally-manufaetured goods as directed by tho Board of Trade.—Bill read the llrst time. The War Legislation Amendment Bill and Military Decorations and Distinctive Badges Bill were read a first time, DEFENCE EXPESTOIOTBE REPORT, The report of the Defence Expenditure Commission and supplementary report of officers, but not the evidence,was laid on tie tails. Mr. Veitch asked_ the Minister to tell the House why Lord Kitchener's original recommendations regarding camps were not carried out, and why, when the Commission reported against the concentration of men in large camps, Lord Kitchener's scheme of local camps was not adopted? He also wanted to know what were the rceomondatkms of the 1 conference of officers who considered the Commission's report. Tho Premier said the Gorcrnmeafc could not undertake to print evidence, owing to the great cost, but it would be laid on the table and an opportunity given to discuss the subject. The Minister,for Defence said the report of the officers who reviewed the Commission's findings would also be -open for discussion; The Minister said ho was anxious to have the fullest discussion on every item In the report. As to the evidence, thatwas taken in public, and the nswpapers were at liberty to publish such parts as were not confidential. The discussion of the battalion system by the Officers' Conference showed that, with one exception, the officers were in favor of the present system. He was prepared to let the results speak for themselves.

RELEASE OF FARMING MEN FROM , CAMP, Sir Jamas Allen announced that in consequence of the departure of troops being postponed, it had been decided to release from camp soldiers required for farming or industrial work. The Minis* ter said he was satisfied that the-disas-ter to the 40th Reinforcements was not due to overcrowding of the ship. What did need inquiry was whether there wear* sufficient drugs on board. EVENING SITTING. IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. When the House resumed at 7.30, Mr. Massey made a statement covering the proceedings at Qe Imperial Conference. Sir Josepii Ward emphasised the great change which had taken place in Britain on the subject of the overseas Dominions since 18D5. That change could (be att>rImted to the broad Imperial view adopted by Mr. Chamberlain, when Secretary of State for tho Colonies. He was cortain the time was coming when; New Zealand must be fittingly represented at the centre of the Empire, where, sooner or later, some form of Federal Govern' ment for the Empire must be adopted, The House rose at 9.40.