PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 October 1919, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By-Telegraph;— Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Legislative Council met at 2.30' p.m. The Education Purposes Loan Bill, the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Amendment Bill, and the Manawatu Gorge Road and Bridges Bill were read a second time. In the evening the Legislative Council put the following Bills through their final stages: Education Purposes Loans, Manawatu Gorge Road and Bridges, 'Fishing Industry. The promotion of Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Amendment Bill was reported from Committee without amendment. HOUSE OF-REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 pjn. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Holland, Mr. Massey ■ said the Labor Department had been instructed to see that all accommodation', for shearers was properly inspected before shearing commenced. He would call for a report on the Marlborough case referred to by the hon. gentleman. Mr. Pearce drew the Premier's atten-. tion to some statements made by a Parliamentary candidate in the Waikato, in which he was reported to have made charges against the Government; in connection with the Meat Trust. Mr. Massey, in reply, said there was legislation on the Statute Book which Would make it difficult if not impossible for the Meat Trust to carry on its business in New Zealand. He did not believe the Bank of New Zealand had, as stated by the candidate, advanced two millions to meet the Trust. He knew a good deal of what' the Meat Trust was doing and before long there might be some revelations regarding them. The chargos made by the candidate, were a tissue of falsehoods. Sir Joseph Ward deprecated the introduction into the House of controversial statements made by candidates. If that sort of thing was done on one side it could be done on the other, and an impossible position would be created. If charges were made against the Bank of New Zealand the bank should deal with them. Mr. Pearce said he was not concerned with the Bank of New Zealand, but there was a direct charge against the Govern, went which ought to be rebutted. Replying to Mr. Craigie, the Hon. ,T. B- Hine said it was impossible to give effect at the present time'to legislative power to pay bonuses to insurers in the State Fire Insurance office. THE RAILWAYS. / The Railway Bill was introduced by Governor's message, and read a ifrst time. Mr. Massey explained that it was an annual Bill providing for 'the annual increments of salaries. He moved that it be referred to the Railway Committee. This was agreed to. ADMIRAL JELLIOOE'S REPORT. Mr. Massey laid on the table the report of Admiral Jellicoe on the naval I defence of the Dominion. Sir Joseph Ward said he hoped this question of naval defence would be kept clear of party politics. With that in view he thought the report should not be discussed until after the general election, when it would be determined who was to govern the country during the next few years. Mr. Massey said he also hoped that when the elections came along this question would not be considered a party question. The matter was too impo7« ant for that. At the same time he thought Parliament should have an opportunity of discussing it. Members would understand why when they read the report, and they would better appreciate the extreme' difficulty in which we might be placed some day in the future. There would be no'need for legislation this year, but the report should be discussed and he proposed to set aside not less than half a day for that purpose. Perhays he would be able to give a full day. THE WAR LOAN. Sir ,Tas. Allen stated the Commissioner of Taxes had been officially instructed to enforce the co««pirfjory clauses in connection with the War Loan Those who ought to have subscribed will be communicated with and given another opportunity of subscribing. LOCAL BILLS. The following local Bills Were put through all stages and passed: Hanraki Plains, Thames and Ohinemuri Counties Bill (Mr. T. W. Rhodes), Matakaoa County Bill (the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonaid), Auckland Harbor Board Loan and Empowering Bill (Hon. A. M. Myers), fhglewood County Bill (Hon. J. B, Hine), Wellington City Empowering and Amendment Bill (Mr. P. Fraser), Patea Harbor Amendment Bill (Mr. Pearce). Invereargill Borough Boundaries Extension Bill (Hon. J. A. Hnnan), Hawke's Bay Rivers Bill (Hon. Sir John Findlay), Wellington City Abattoirs • Loan Bill (Mr. Luke).