PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 September 1919, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph.—Press Association, i Wellington, Last Night. The Legislative Council met at 2.30. The Address-in-Reply debate was continued by the Hon. Geddes, who complained of land aggregation being allowed, and the 'Government forcing up land values by purchasing already settled areas when it had huge areas of Crown land available. He urged the Government to institute a progressive immigration policy and to give a lead in the matter of State-owned ships. Hon. G. M. Thomson urged the Government to consider the advisability of securing railway locomotives or re-model-' ling the existing engines to burn local lignites. He expressed the hope that the Government would encourage the fishing industry and establish export trade.

Hon. Fleming defended the Government against the charges of permitting land aggregation. He urged greater production and the training of soldiers before they take up land, and condemned the restriction of prices for farmers' products when farmers were not especially guarded in regard to the prices of articles they were compelled to purchase to enable them to carry on. The Council adjourned at 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. The Council resumed at 8 p.m. The debate was continued by the Hon. Earnshaw, who sai.l there was a strain upon Great Britain, France, and Italy for their attitude regarding the rights of China. He referred to Japan's actions in the war as being purely for her own advancement. Sir Francis Bell: Please remember you are speaking of an ally. The Hon. Earnshaw repeated the statement, adding that he was within his rights in commenting on the matter. He then went on tc refer to industrial matters, condemning extremists among Labor leaders. ' The Council adjourned at 9,50 p.m. until to-morrow. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. BUSINESS OF T.HE SESSION. The House met at 2.30. Sir Joseph Ward a.sked the Premier, without notice, if the Premier could inform the House what legislation would be brought down this session, on what date the general flection would be held, when the Financial Statement would be brought down, and when the scheme of soldiers' gratuities would be placed before Ministers. Mr. Massey, in reply, said it was difficult to give a reply to all the questions asked at the present moment.; There was no doubt the session would be likely to be short, but there was a certain amount of legislation that must be put through. This referred particularly to finance. It would be a ffew days yet before the Minister of Defence would be able to lay before the House his gratuities scheme, but he believed that when it was submitted to Parliament it would be found to meet with general approval. There must be legislation dealing with education, for there had been so many promises made in this connection that something must bo done. Railway legislation must be put on the Statute Book, and there must be a Lands Bill, dealing mainly with repatriation. A Mining Bill was being prepared, and a Coal Mines Bill must be brought down. There would be some labor legislation, and there must be an effort made to deal with the housing question. Then they must deal with the question of women's electoral status. That would probably not take long, as he thought both Houses would pass it quite readily. The cost of living must be considered and there must be legislation on the subject of Samoa. This legislation would not deal with the question of colored labor in Samoa, but he hoped that, as loyal subjects of the Empire, there would be no refusal to accept the responsibility of the mandate over the outer islands. DATE OF GENERAL ELECTION.

As to the date of the general election, Mr. Massey could only say that it was impracticable to fix that at this time. In all probability it would be held early in 'December, but if the House made satisfactory progress with the legislation put before it, he hoped later on to be in a position to make a more definite announcement on the subject. PARTY POLITICS DEPRECATED. The Premier said that whatever happened there would be no return to the old party spirit. There had been too much party politics in the past, and lie wanted to see a more reasonable state -of things.

Sir Joseph Ward: I entiroly agree with the right honorable gentleman. Mr. Massey: I am glad to have the endorsement of the leader of the Opposition. Sir Joseph Ward: If the right honorable gentleman will take his lead from me he will be all right. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr. Scrapie, Mr. Massey said the Board of Trade had been asked to report on the rise in the price of coal reported to have been made by tho Northern Coal Company. The whole subject of coal production could be discussed when the Coal Mines Bill came down.

Replying to Mr. Myers, Mr. Massey said that if the petrol car used on the Wellington suburban railways proved a success similar cars would be introduced on the suburban railways at other centres.

Replying to Dr. Newman the Premier said it would be impossible to revise the customs tariff this year. Soino minor amendments might be made, probably through the Appropriation Act. Ministers gave the following amongst other answers to questions: That, if time allows, an opportunity will ba given to members to discuss the timber regulations during the present session; that it is not proposed to introduce legislation dealing with proportional representation during the present session. Parliament may, however, he aslced to deal with some amendments to the electoral law. That legislation dealing with the cost of living, profiteering, and exploitation has already been prepared and will bo placed before the House shortly; that tho question of setting up a, Royal Commission for investigating the management, of war funds is now under consideration; that a scheme is almtit to be launched which it, is hoped will ensure the pubie obtaining boots of good quality at a reasonable price; that it is not possible, while the present unsettled conditions in regard to the coal supply continue, to make any definite statement aa to the date at which the department will bg enabled to mvuat to# aejKyg

railway services ; that being paid rate and a quarter for fin work performed between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., and it is not proposed to further increase the department's liability under this head; that Private Nimot had not, up to date of the latest advice, 'been repatriated to England, though the War Office has agreed to repatriate him as soon as possible. It is presumed, in the absence of deflnftc., information, that he is still in Germany. On repatriation he will be tried by court-martial. That, so far as military defaulters and shirkers are concerned, while orders have been given for the release of all those who were classified as bona, fire religious objectors by the special board, and those who were serving a second or third sentence for offences under the Military Service Act, the Government does not at present iutend to remit sentences of those who refused service for other reasons, or to cease the prosecution of those who have so far evaded arrest; that the P|iblic Works Department will be prepared to consider on its merits every application for assistance towards the repair of roads damaged by heavy motor traffic caused by the railway cut; that it is hardly probable the Otira tunnel will be completed within two years; that the question of the complete nationalisation of the coal mines is under consideration by the Government. THE RAILWAY CUT. Mr. Massey made a statement embodying the improvements in the running of the railway service. Sir Joseph Ward complained that the "blot" had not been removed from the South Island railways, inasmuch as there was no through train from Christchureh to Invercargill. It was unfair to handicap the South Island as against the North,, and was a handicap that the brains of the railway department ought to be able toiTemove in a few hours.

VICTORY I/DAN.

Sir .Tames Allen (Minister of Finance) made a statement setting'out the terms on which the Victory Loan of ten millions was being raised. He appealed to members to help to make the loan a success. Sir Joseph Ward associated himself with the Minister's appeal. It was absolutely necessary the money should be raised, and he agreed with the Minister in raising it free of income-tax. INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM. In asking leave to introduce the Popular Initiative and Referendum Bill Mr. MoCombs said the Bill was intended to give the people of the country a larger share in self-government, which at present was completed dominated by the Cabinet system. The principle of the Bill was supported by Mr. Downie Stewart, Sir J. Findlay, the Hon. Hanan, and Mr. Poole, and was opposed by Mr. Payne, who said the referendum was in theory beautiful, but in practice idiotic. The Bill was introduced and read a first time. NEW BILLS. On the motion of Mr. McCombs, the Legislature Amendment Bill was introduced and read a first time. The Bill provides for the admission of women to Parliament and the election of the House of Representatives on the basis of proportional representation. The following Bills were, also introduced and read a first time: Wellington City Abattoir Charges and Renewal Fund Bill (Mr. Luke); Patea Harbor Amendment Bill (Mr. Pearce).

THE PUBLIC SERVICE. At the afternoon sitting Mr. Massey laid on the table the report of the Public Service Commissioner. In reply to a question by Mr. Wilford in that connection, the Premier said he was not prepared to say on the spur of thft moment whether the Public Service Commissioners would be continued in office, as lie would fir:» require to consult his colleagues on the subject. The House resumed at 7.30. • INDUSTRIES BILL. The Industries, Trade, and Commerce Bill was introduced by Governor's message. Mr. Massey explained that this Bill was, with a slight alteration, the Hoard of Trade Bill introduced by the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonnld. There was a generally expressed wish that the Government should take that Bill up, and he gladly did so. He hoped members would assist him in making it a thoroughly effective measure. The Bill was read a first time. INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE'S REPORT. Mr. Massey intimated that ho proposed to take the discussion on the Industries Committee's report on Thursday. The House then proceeded to discuss the answers given by Ministers to questions.

During the discussion, the Minister for Lands took occasion to reply to several enquiries as to what he was doing in the matter of stopping land aggregation. He stated he was inserting a clause in this session's Land Act Amendment which would make aggregation a thing of the past. He added that men who practised aggregation would suffer such a penalty as would effectually prevent them ever doing the like again. He explained that in 1913 and 1918 serious attempts were made by the Government to prevent aggregation, but loopholes were discovered. For instance, a man would take up a lease with a purchasing clause or divide the land his family, and the Government could not get at him. Men desirous of aggregating could afford to pay more than could be paid to settle soldiers on the land. He further explained it was not the policy of the Government, to send soldiers into the hackblocks. It was the policy to hold back this land for develop: ment by returned men who were not in poor health. During the period of rapid demobilisation recently they had thrown open areas in the backblocks which he expected shortly to be taken up by soldiers who were able to assist in making roads. The Government had not forgotten the undeveloped lands, and very much more would have been done if they had more funds at their disposal.

The House roso at 9.30 till 2.30 tomorrow.