PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 November 1918, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

YESTERDAY'S SITTING.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Nov. 2G. The House met at 11 o'clock.

Mr. J. M'Combs presented petitions from the Labor Party asking for a referendum on the liquor question, also for a general election early in the new year. The Hon. T. M. Wilford gave notice of his intention to introduce the Crimes Act Amendment Bill.

Replying to Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, Sir James Allen sf id that the demobilisation of the men from the Trentham and Featherston Camps had been somewhat delayed by the influenza and the disorganisation of the ferry and railway services, but, : n spite of these difficulties, some 5000 men had been demobilised from both camps to date, 3500 of whom were from Featherston. The men were being released according to the need for their services and their length of service.

Replying to Mr. C. S. Statham, the ITon. G. W. Russell said that if specific cases of exploitation in connection with funerals and ether necessary services arising out of the epidemic were brought under the not'ee of the Government the Board of Trade would be immediately instructed to deal with them.

Replying to Mr. Luke, the Hon. G. W. Russell said that the full responsibility for keeping the towns in a sanitary condition now rented on the local authorities, but, in view of the startling revela tions arising out of the epidemic, the time had arrived when Parliament should take this duty out of the hands of the local authorities, who, unfortunately, were subject t_> improper influences, and who often failed to destroy buildings condemned by the Public Health Department as insanitary.

Sir James Ajlen, in replying to Mr. A. Harris, said that there was no intention to establish a consumption sanatorium at Devonport. It was proposed to use Narrow Neck Camp for the inspection of returning men, in order to determine whether they were suffering from tubercular trouble. There were 2000 men on the water, and next month he expected some 4000 men would be returning home. Replying to Mr. H. G. Ell, the Premier eaid Cabinet had decided that the country would provide headstones for every New Zealand soldier who died at home or abroad. The House rose at 1 o'clock.

SOLDI 31 SETTLEMENTS.

The House resumed at 2.30 p.m.

Hon. E. Guthrie laid on the table a return showing the progress of soldier settlements in i 917-18, which resulted in a lengthy discussion, during which the members taking part made numerous suggestions as to how returned soldiers might be assisted. The Minister, in the course of his reply, said much of, the criticism on this department arose ' out of ignorance of what the Government was doing to assist returned soldiers. He admitted that something might be done to assist soldiers to secure homes in towns as well aa homes in the country, but the greatest care was requisite in administering this department", otherwise serious losses could easily be made. He recognised that the men who came back in the early stages of the war were probably men who were lease able to stand the strain of war, and tie recognised the wisdom of not placing men least physically fit on the poorest iand, though he had been severely criticised for not doing so. He intended to auhere to his policy of refusing to put men on land which would only result in breaking their hearts. When the Main Body came back, and the (stronger men returned, there would be a better opportunity of settling the poorer lands. Up to the present £1,639,000 had been spent in purchasing laud for soldiers' settlements. REFORMATORIES.

The Reformatory Institutions Bill wae introduced by Governor's message, and read a first time.

MILITARY DECORATIONS.

The House went into committee on the Military Decorations and Distinctive Badges Bill. It passed the committee Btage without comment, and was read a third time. WAR LEGISLATION.

The House then went into committee on the War Legislation Bill. Mr. Maßsey indicated that he intended to move an amendment excluding loyal New Zealand born sons of naturalised Germans from the measure. This would overcome the objection that sucli sons would not be able to hold land in the Dominion. Replying to Mr. Veitch, the Premier said Cabinet would move to consider and determine whether clauses 28 and 29 of the War Legislation Act, 1917, was a policy question. Mr. McCombs protested against the petty nature ui this kind of legislation, which was not calculated to help to maintain permanent peace with Germany. He tojk exception to the prejudicial treatment of German women married to British subjects. Clause 1 was passed, and the House adjourned at 5.39 "p.m. EVENING SITTING. When the House resumed at 7.30 Sir Joseph Ward proceeded to deliver his Budget. At «.30, Sir Joseph Ward concluded reading the Budget amidst applause. On tJie motion to adjourn, Dr. Newman asked the Premier to make a statement &s to the business to bo done and tile probable length of the session. Mr. Massey replied that it was impossible to Bay how long the session would last, but it was necessary to make suitable arrangements for representation of the Dominion at the Peace Conference, concerning which he hoped to make a statement on Thursday. There would be a Finance Bill to give effect to the proposals in the Budget, also liquor and hydro-electric Bills, a War Legislation Bill, and a repatriation scheme, which was probably the most important of all Parliament's work, also the Publie Works Statement and the Estimates and the "Washing Up" Bill.

Members: What at out the cost of living?

Mr. Mas?ey: Yes, there will be lejrislation dealing with the cost of living, but everyone expects a decrease in the coat of living r.ow the v-ar is over.

The 'House then rose till 11.30 to-mor-row morning, when Government business will take precedence. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wellington, Last Night. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. Hon. Earns',law resumed the debate on the Addreas-in-Reply. He urged that the time was ODnortune for the leaders of

the old parties to come together and form one united party, and meet the issues arising from the war. If the Prime Minister would not give the lead, then someone else must. They did not want to be governed by Bolsheviks. The Hon. Te Heukeu Tukino suggested that the New Zealand peace delegation should include a representative of the Maori race, to speak also for the interests of the Pacific Island natives. The Council adjourned at 4.30 p.m.