PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 August 1919, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

tEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph.—-Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Legislative Council met at 2.30. The following Bills were read a first and second time pro forma, and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee: Mortgages Extension Act, Public Authorities (Party Wall) Empowering Act, Official Documents and Appointments Act, and Chattels Transfer Amendment Act. The Leader of the Council announced that he hoped to be able to bring down on Tuesday, a resolution approving of the ratification by the King, of the treaty entered into at Versailles.

Sir William Hall-Jones: Will that include the convention entered into between Britain and France?

Sir Francis Bell replied that the resolution would refer solely to the treaty, of which the League of Nations formed a part.

The Council adjourned until 8 p.m. The Legislative Council met again at 8 p.m., and passed the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill through all stages, without discussion.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. NOTICES. The Hottfie met at 2.30. Mr. Semple gave notice of his intention to ask the Government if they will, this session, introduce a Bill having for its object the complete nationalisation of the cpal industry in all its branches , Mr- Wilford gave notice of his intention to introduce a Payment of Jury Bill.

Mr. Brown gave notice of his intention to ask the Government if they will lay before the House a return shiwitig the cost of the recent referendum on the liquor question.

Mr. Sldey gave notice of his intention to introduce a Definition of Time (Daylight Saving) Bill. THE LATE GENERAL BOTHA. Replying to Sir John Findlay, Mr. Massey said that on next sitting day, he proposed to- give the House an onportunity to place on record its appreciation of the great services to the Empire -of the late General Botha.

NEW BILLS. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time: Hutt Railway and Road Improvement (Mr. Wilford), Women's Parliamentary Rights Extension (Mr. Massoy), Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Amendment (Mr. Malcolm); Gisborne Harbor Board Enabling (Sir J. Carroll), Inglewood County (Mr. Hine), Wellington City Abattoir Lean (Mr. Luke), Waimakaririki Harbor Board Reserve (Mr. Buddo), Tauranga Borough Council Electric Loans Empowering (Mr. Herries), Tauranga Harbor Board Empowering (Mr Herries), Whangarei Harbor Board Vesting and Empowering (Mr. Maunder), Manawatu County Loan and Empowering' Amendment (Mr. E. Newman), Industrial Con ciliation and Arbitration Amendment (Mr. Walker), Tolago Bay Harbor (Mr. Mac Donald), Toll Gates Abolition Bill (Mr. Wilkinson), Shops and Offices Act Amendment (Mr. McCombs), Hotel and Restaurant and Private and Board ,ng House Employees Six Days a Week (Mr. Fraser), Auckland Harbor Board Loan and Empowering (Mr. Myers), Wellington City Milk (Mr. Wright), Matakara County (Mr. Mac Donald), Factories Act Amendment (Mr. Holland), Woikers' Accommodation (Mr. Vcitch), Workers' Compensation (Mr. Walker), Municipal Corporations Amendment Act, 1913, Amendment (Dr. Thacker), Wellington City Empowering Amendment (Mr. Fraser), Maori War Medal (Mr Wright), Legislative Amendment (Mr. Wright), Westport Technical School Site (Mr. Colvin), Naturalised Subjects Franchise (Mr. Brown).

INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE'S REPORT. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Egmont), asked leave to lay on the table the report of the Industries Committee, with the minutes of evidence. He asked the Government to agree to give a day for discussing the report. Although signed by all the members of the committee, it not did necessarily follow that all the-members were, pledged to every recommendation. For instance, Dr. Newman did not agree with the recommendation regarding the New Zealand mine industry, nor did Mr. Pearce agree with the recommendation regarding the nationalisation of coal mines, but in other respects the report was considered the opinions of the committee

Mr. Massey said he regarded the report as a most valuable one so far as lie wag acquainted with it, and if the session did not suddenly close he would be glad to give a day for its consideration. He intended to take Mondays for Government business at the earliest possible date. The House then agreed to the printing of the Industries Committees report and minutes of evidence. MORTGAGES EXTENSION. The Expiring Laws Continuance Bill was introduced by Governor's message. Mr. Massey said the Bill merely kept alive measures already passed by the House, and were now on the Statute Book.

Mr. Pearce asked the Premielr if the Bill included the Mortgages Extension Act. ; -

Mr. Massey replied that was so: }, Sir Joseph Ward said he understood (ho Bill was onlyUo keep expiring'Ajcts' alhe, but he hoped there would be nd attempt made to,-undu)y limit; thotinie in which mortgages were to be repaid. After four years pjf war a serioiis position would arise' fl any attempt were made to suddenly call up mortgages. Mr. Wilford s.aid one of the great difficulties in this connection was that money which usually went into mortgages had now gone into war loans. Mr. McCombs complained that the Bill perpetuated some of the worst Acts on the Statute Book, which seriously interfered with freedom of speech. Mr. Massey denied that the Bill in any way interfered with freedom of speech. The most important point was that dealing with the Mortgages Extension Act. The Government proposed to bring down legislation dealing with mortgages and as the matter was of such importance he proposed to submit it to a joint committee, where the Government get the benefit of the best legal advice from legal gentlemen in both Houses. It was now proposed to extend the Mortgages Extension Act for 12 months, and it was absolutely necessary to make some extension, otherwise the Act would expire on Sunday next. ,

Mr. Statham said the matter, though urgent, was worthy of greater consideration than it was likely to get if the Bill were put through all stages at one sitting. He considered it fatal if, »t ite ?ag s* gut &imm sA mfc

gages would expire on the same date. Mr, Myers supported this view, and suggested the adoption of the Australian system under which each mortgage was extended so as to avoid their falling in on the same date.

Mr. Massey said the proposal to extend the Act for 12 months was only a temporary measure, and the whole question would be dealt with in the promised legislation, which he undertook would be placed be/ore the House within fourteen days.

Mr. Holland made a protest agarast a rush of legislation, and suggested that everything but the Mortgages Extension Act should be withdrawn from the Bill. . .

Mr. Massey agreed to this course. Sir John Findlay said he hoped the House would agree to this legislationUnless ample time was given to mortgages to look around and make arrangements, a financial panic might be created.

The Premier claimed urgency for the Bill, and it passed all stages as amended.

VOTES OF SYMPATHY.

The Premier then moved the usual motions expressing a high sense of appreciation of the services to the country, and sympathy with the relations in connection with the death of the following former members: Hon. A. L, D. Fraser, Hon. Donald Reid, Hon. T. Thompson, Jackson Palmer, R M. Taylor, S. Buxton, W. J. Speight, Hon. W. H. Tucker, and the Hon. H. Gilmer. Many members spoke in sympathetic terms- As a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased members, the House adjourned at 5.60, till 2.30 on Tuesday, when the Finance Bill and Ratification of the Peace Treaty will be considered)

WILL THE SESSION COLLAPSE?

LEADER OF OPPOSITION SAYS NOT LIKELY. COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY. (By Correspondent.) Wellington, .Lasi, Night. When the report of the Industries Committee was presented to the House this afternoon, members aAed for a day for the discussion of the recommendations. Mr. Masßey was symHo stated that the report was a highly important document, and added that unless the business of' the House was brought to an end suddenly, as was quite possible, he would give the day for discussion.

This hint of a political crisis drew a statement from Sir Joseph Ward. He thought that the report should be fully discussed. ''As far as I know this session is not likely to come to a sudden end," he said. "I think it only right that I should say so. I have heard all sort? of rumours emanating from one quarter and another a« to what may happen. I take this opportunity of saying that our ducy ia finit to the country, and not to the aspirations of any' individual members of- the House. Ido not intend to allowwhat I believe to be the bent interests of this country to be prejudiced by any consideration, for individuals, and as far as this party is concerned we are prepared to help to do the business of the country in every possible way. I may add that lam not going to be one to allow, if we can avoid it, any party business over the claims of the soldiers, because they stand above probably every other consideration. If there are any members of the House who have the impression that any advantage is going to be taken by the Opposition of the matured proposals of the Government, I say that we are not animated by a spirit of that kind, Ido not think thcte is any justification for the suggestion that th's session is likely to come to an end precipitately, although we can never tell what may crop up, and a good deal depends upon what the Government proposes. Ido not know what the general policy of the Government is." Sir Joseph Ward added that the proper course was to attend to the important business of the session in a proper way, and then let the country decide who was to govern New Zealand in the future. The Prime Minister said that he was very glad to have the assurance of the Leader of the Opposition that he and the members of his party would help the Government to carry through the important business that bad to be undertaken. The Government, during the war period, had not been able to deal with much domestic legislation, and admittedly there were many matters requiring attention. He thought that the session would require to extend for at least two months. Much of the work would relate to the returned soldiers and other war problems.

EXTENDING THE MORATORIUM. The Expiring Laws Continuance Bill was put through all stages and passed in both Houses. This Bill extends the moratorium and certain other war legislation for twelve months. Mr. Massey explained that the moratorium was going to be the subject of special legislation later in the session, and the present extension was merely tentative. Some discussion followed. Sir Joseph Ward, Mr. Pearce, and other members, uring the Government to continue the mortgages extension law for at least two'years, and to make arrangements to, terminate the suspended mortgages in rotation, so as to avoid a sudden and disaitrous call for money. Mr. Haßsey promised full consideration.

, BUTTER EQUALISATION FUND. AiutndiCfttW that tlievOovernnientiifl do gometSing ' 'for, the butter produtrars in regard to tjo equalisation fund Was. given by Mr. Massey 'in reply to a question put by Mr. Pcarc'e (Pateaj. Mr. Massey said ho intended to place the matter before Cabinet with a recommendation, The policy of the Government was to encourage -the producers, and lie recognised that'the butter producers were the hardest worked men in the country. Referring to the shipping position, in answer to Mr. Pearce, Mr- Massey said that oil December 31 there would be four million carcases in the stores, while- six million and a half carcases would enter the stores next season. He did not think it would be possible to lift ten and a half million caroases before December 31, 1920, but he believed so much would be got away that there would bo very little difficulty about arranging for the shipment of the new meat before the Imperial meat had gone. He,, had no doubt about this.