PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1918, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. By Telegraph.—Presa Association.

Wellington, Dec 'I

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS,

When the House met at uoon, the Hon. W. F. Massey informed Mr. Pearce that ho had not received definite information concerning the arrangements for the purchase of frozen meat for the year after the war, hut he had cabled the Imperial authorities, who were wiring definite arrangements prior to the Ministers leaving for the Peace Conference. The Hon. W D. S. Mac Donald, replying to Mr. Nosworthy, said that owing to personal illness he had been unable to submit to Cabinet the question of fixing the prices of wheat for 19-20. The present arrangements would stand—namely, 6s 4d per bushel for all grades, with a free market. He hoped to have the matter fully dealt with before the Ministers left .for Europe. The Hon. W. H. Herrics, replying to questions, explained that the matters of restoring excursion trains and fares for the Christmas holidays was entirely dependent upon smiting a sufficient staff. If it was impossible to restore coneesccssions for Christmas, he hoped to give them for Easter,

BILLS INTRODUCED.

The Hon. W. D S. Mac Donald introduced, without notice, the Slaughtering Inspection Bill, which was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Stock and Agricultural Committee. The Native Land Amendment Bill was introduced bv the Hon. A. T. Ngata and referred to the Native Affairs Committee.

CRIMES ACT BILL.

The House then went into Committee on the Crimes Act Amendment Bill In sub-clause 2 of section 2 words which have the effect to take awa\ from judges of the Criminal Court of Appeal the power to increase sentences on the ground that the Appeal Court Judges never have the same opportunity or trying a "ise and hearing the evidence as the Judge at the original, trial. The Hon. T. M. Wilford replied that, the power o* revising sentences ourrht to operate both ways. He hart absolute confidence in the capacity of the Judge" to --ee that no injustice was done. On a division the amendment was lost, bv 37 to 7. 'On rte motV.n of the Master, the following amendmovt iv.is eirrW— Vnmo tl". W- +H- to TV.C.M> of) so of "*"' rr'-""--' """" ' ' fn !■'•.. "••' ■-••*"■• ■"■--'• "- , '■■" ""

•mwriiu Hw Pi'ismt- Foavd to consider

the sentence of any prisoner at any time?. The, Bill was then read a third time and passed.

WRITS KIR BY-ELECTIONS.

The Hon. W. F. Massey gave the necessary notice that the wits would be issued for the Parliamentary vacancies at Wellington South and Palmerston North. Mr. Veitch raised the question of the expediency of holding elections while the influenza was still raging. Mr. Massey said the writs would not be issued for several days, and would not be returnable inside of three weeks.

REFORMATORY INSTITUTIONS.

The Reformatory Institutions Bill was, on the motion of the Hon. T. M, Wilford, put through all stages Its a matter of urgency.

The House rose at one o'clock,

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

The Council met at 'i a\>. The Electric Power Boards 'Jill was passed through all stages without amendment.

The Aviation Bill was read a first time. ;

The Crimes Amendment Bill and Reformatory Institutions Amendment Bill were introduced and read a second time pro forma. The Council adjourned at 4.50 p.m.