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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Last Night, The House met at 2.30.

PRIVATE BILLS.

Christ College Ordinance Amendment Bill and The John Donald Macfarlane Estate Administration Empowering Bill were read a third time.

EPIDEMIC ON THE MAKURA.

Hon. G. W. Russell stated that he had been informed that there was no influenza on board the Makura. There were a few cases of measles, but there was no information as to whether of a virulent type or not. .Every precaution would he taken to prevent the spread of measles from the ship. He thought he might say that measles were already prevalent in Auckland.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS.

Replying to Mr. Urn (Southern Maori), Hon. G. W. Russell said no instructions had been issued to prevent Maoris in the South Island travelling on trains while on ordinary business, but instructions had been given to prevent Maoris travelling to tangis. Replying to Mr. Ell, Hon. G. W. Russell said he hoped at an early date to submit to Cabinet the draft of a Public Health Bill, which would leave no doubt on whom rested the responsibility for overcrowding and the sanitary conditions of towns.

Replying to Mr. Luke, Hon. G. W. Russell said the requests for. financial assistance in connection with the epidemic were gradually assuming a larger shape, Cabinet would soon have sufficient data before it which would enable it to determine what measure of financial assistance the Government could give. Replying to Dr. Thacker, Sir Joseph Ward said the question of subsidising local bodies in connection with the influenza epidemic was a large one. He would be glad to submit the question to Cabinet. The Government had already shown its willingness to assist in this matter.

Dr. Thacker: Wo want your money, not your willingness. Replying to Mr. Hudson, Sir Joseph Ward said he would inquire of the Imperial authorities when the sending of code cables can be resumed.

NEW BILLS. The Christghureh City Reserves Amendment Bill (Mr. Isitt) and the Wairoa Harbor Board Empowering and Loan Bill (Sir John Findlay) were introduced and read a first time. RAILWAYS STATEMENT. Hon. W. H. Herries laid on the table the railways statement, which led to a lengthy discussion on railway matters. The Minister, in reply, said that now that the war was over and the men would soon be coming back the Department hoped at an early date to restore some of the travelling facilities of which the public had been deprived awing to the necessity for war economy. Regarding the relations of the Department with the staff, he outlined the concessions recently granted to the men, claiming that no State in Australia had done better in this respect than New Zealand. It jlftd been considered better to meet the i Increased cost of living by a system of ! war bonuses, rather than by permanent ! increases in wages, but as the war was pver, and the bonuses would be expiring, }m> was quite prepared to meet the representatives of the men, and discuss the changed aspect of the situation, Ho justified the payment of men on sick I leave owing to influenza at half rates oft the ground that men in the Second Riyfsion had never previously received any sl/»If pay; but the Department recognised tho special circumstances, and he thought the Department had made a generoiu offer. Hfl praised the loyalty of the men, both during tho war and thp snidemic, and said the relations between tta Department and the staff had, during the WWt few. "Tears, been of a most pleasant alwasteF,

FINANCE BILL.

The Finance Bill was introduced by Governor's message, and read ft flrat time. Sir Joseph Ward said the Bill.gave effect to the proposals in the Budget, and gome other alterations which had been (mni necessary WAR LEGISLATION BILL. }lr, M*9sey jnoved the third reading of the War Legislation Bill, which was being di§eitt»ed when the House adjourned it 5,30. A^.^iM.itE.A^M-WllUlltj

EVENING SITTING. WAR LEGISLATION. When the House resumed at 7.30, Mr. Massey announced that Cabinet had decided there was»no longer any necessity for clauses 2S and 29 of the War Legislation Act. 1017, and a new clause would bo inserted in the Bill in the Upper Houso to effect tilicir repeal. The discussion proceeded, Messrs S. G. Smith (Taranaki), Veitch, MeCombs, and Payne taking part. The latter, in the course of his remarks, proceeded to correct certain rumors concerning the nationality of Lady Ward, but was stopped by the Speaker.

NATIONALITY OF LADY WARD.

Sir Joseph Ward then rose, and, speaking with evident fee.ling, said foe had never questioned the nationality of anyone during the course of the war, but since reference had been made to one near and dear to him, he felt bound to make the position clear. He was well aware of the rumors going round about his wifc'B nationality, but neitiber he nor his wife troubled about .them, because they had in their possession clear proof of Lady. Ward's father's nationality. He was not a German, and no member of his family was German. This he (Sir Joseph' Ward) had known all his life. Lady Ward's father was a Belgian, and all his family for 350 years had been Belgians, born at Bruges, and anyone who cared to do so could have, satisfied themselves on the point as far back as fifty year* ago, and anyone now curious enough to do so could come to lliis office, where he had the certified proof of his wife's father's nationality. Lady Ward never mixed up in politics, but she had been a good wife and mother, and if his family, affairs conflicted with his official -position, then he would do what any otter honorable man would do and give up his official positions, and stand by his wife and family. (Applause.) After Mr. Massey had replied to the discussion, the Bill was read a third time.

REPRESENTATION AT PEACE CONFERENCE.

Mr. Massey made his promised statement concerning New Zealand's representation at the peace conference He stated he was unable to say exactly on what date tibe conference would meet, but he read a series of telegrams received from the Imperial authorities by the Governor-General indicating that it was desired that Sir Joseph. Ward and himself should leave for England at the earliest possible moment. So far as he could see they could not leave for at least ten days, biit he was not certain on that point. So far as the work of tho session was concerned, he thought the most important of it could be don" in eight days. The most important Bills "were the Finance, Liquor, and Repatriation scheme. All this could be put through in the next few days. From the Dominion's point of view the most important question was the fate of the South Sea Islands. Ho did not. think we would get possession of Samoa without a struggle. He did not think these islands would go back to Germany. On that point he felt sure the British Government was sound, but there would be many European nations at the conference, and they would have a voice in these matters, and wo must be watchful. This emphasised the necessity for every part of the British Dominions being represented. He outlined the various subjects likely to b» dealt with at the peace conference, whirfi involved vast alterations to the map of the world. On the question of the disposition of the German navy, he ?aid he could not imagine the s!hips being handed back to Germany. Personally, he favored one or two being sent out to New Zealand, where wo could use at least one for a training ship. He again stressed the need of the Dominion being 'represented, and asked , members to facilitate the passage of measures, so that the two leaders of the House could leave at the earliest possible moment. In answer to Dr. Newman, the Premier declined to say who was going to be the resident Minister in London. He thought that question could stand over till the return of the leaders.

Sir Joseph Ward moved the second reading of the Finance Bill, explaining its details. Speaking of the compulsory clauses in connection with the war loans he said it was very satisfactory to know that now no one who ought to have subscribed was holding baok. A complete examination hajl been made of every taxpayer's position, and it was found that everyone capable of subscribing had done so according to hh means. The Bill was read a second time on tho voices, and the Houso went into committee on the measure.

Clauses IS, prohibiting tilio use of a recording maehino for impressing receipts, nnrt lfl, providing for the endorsement of cheques payable (o order, to be. clutinblo as a receipt, wore struck' out, on the motion of the Minister. , Mr. Voitch moved to strike out clause 29, providing for Bub?eript ; on3 to war loans free of income-tax,

Sir .loßeph Ward defended the systein: Tho clause was retained by 20 to 18 On clause 32. the Minister said.-tte power asked for to provide for additional money for coal storage was not for new works, but to pay eommitmentx,

I The Bill was reported with amend knonts and read a third time.

BPPRO-ELECTRIC BILL,

The Electric and Water Power Bill was introduced by Governor's message and read ft first time. Tho House rose at 11.43 till 11.30.tomorrow morning.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19181129.2.50.2

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1918, Page 8

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,569

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1918, Page 8

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1918, Page 8

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