PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1919, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The House met at 7.30. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr. Witty, the Hon. Nosworthy said it would take from four to six weeks to get a complete return of the stocks of potatoes in New Zealand, and he was advised that it was not. desirable to have such a return made in view of the new crop coming in No export of potatoes would be allowed for the present. Replying to Messrs Semple and Ell, who asked questions regarding the housing question, the Premier said a Bill dealing with the housing question was in the hands of the law draftsmen, and would be submitted to Cabinet next week. Replying to Mr. P. Praser, the Premier said the housing of railway servants was under consideration by the Department. Mr. Ell said plans for these houses were very good. He had had an opportunity of examining them. Replying to Mr. Forbes, the Premier said the question of the cost of boots was now under consideration by the Board of Trade, and they hoped to arrange for cheapet boots in the not far distant future. Replying to the Hon. Myers, the Premier said he did not think it possible to introduce a town-planning Bill this session. Replying to Mr. Poole, the Premier said it was intended to widen the scope of legislation to enable harbor boards to provide houses for their employees. HOSPITAL. BILL. The House went into committee on the Hospital and Charitable Institutions Amendment Bill,.intended to constitute a South Otago Hospital District and Board. Mr, Sidey, who opposed the Bill,' said proper application had never been piade by representatives of the Clutha district 011 the Otago Hospital Board in regard to hospital accommodation. Had they done bo, it would have been granted. What was wanted there was a properly equipped cottage hospital wiui a motor ambulance connection with Dunedin hospital. If that application were made now the Otago Board would see, it was' given effect to. The separation of this' district from Otago would materially damage the Medical School of Otago, which was really a national institution. Sir James Allen read a telegram from Dr. Ferguson to the effect that it would | Beriously react on the Medical School if the separation of South Otago were permitted. Messrs McOallum, Statham, Witty, and •Downey Stewart supported this view. The discussion gives signs of being protracted. Up to 11 o'clock the discussion proceeded on lines generally hostile to the Bill, the speakers contending that while it was evident the Otago Hospital Board had not done justice to the Clutha district, and justice should bo done, separation was too drastic a remedy. At 11 o'clock Mr. Veitch moved to report progress, as it was evident the Bill could not pass. The Hon. W. H. Herries argued that if progress was reported the position of the people of Balclutha would be worse than the first, because their Bill would be thrown out and there would be no indication to the Otago Hospital BoaTd that the House considered the Clutha district had been unjustly treated. At 11.50 a division was taken on the proposal to.report progress, the result beiiur that the motion was carried by 19 to IS. Progress was reported, Mr. Malcolm. who was in charge of the Bill, taking his place as chairman of eommitPROPORTIONAL VOTING. The House went into committee on the Proportional Representation and Effective Voting Bill. Mr. Veitch, who was in charge of the Bill, said he recognised ■ they could not get tire Bill through this session, and lie would be satisfied if the House would pass the first clause. This was done and progress was reported. Progress was also reported on the Hiitt Railway and Read Improvement Bill. The Toll Gates Abolition Bill v>'as read a second time on the voices, on the i motion of Mr. Wilkinson. The House rose at 17 minutes past midnight.