PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 November 1919, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THE MORNING SITTING. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, YesterdayTile Legislative Council met at 10.30 a.m. The Law Practitioners Amendment Bill received from the House of Representatives, was read a first time. The Council rose, pending the receipt of further business from the House-

When tho Council met again at 2.30 p.m., by permission of the Council, Sir Francis Bell made reference to a gift of reserves on the shores of Rotoiti and Rotoehu by Maoris. He desired to place on record the fact that the Natives had themselves offered to grant free of charge the reserves sought for scenic purposes. It was. evident they desired to make the lakes as a part of the inheritance of the peoule available to the pakelia. The Council rose at 3.45 p.m., pending the receipt of further business from the House of Representatives. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. SIP, JOSEPH WARD TWITTED. Wellington, Yesterday. After the Telegraph Office closed, Sir James Allen, replying to Sir Joseph Ward's questions as to the increase in the estimates, twitted Sir Joseph Ward with asking for increases to the post and telegraphic service and soldiers' gratuities. He also twitted Sir Joseph Ward with shirking his responsibilities and asked if he left the National Government because he saw this coming. He went on to say that although it appeared from the estimates there would be a deficit at the end of March next, he had faith in th|6 country. If the people did their 'best to increase the production of the country he believed tflero ! would be a surplus, instead of a deficit next March. The resolutions of the committee were agreed to. The House agreed to the amendments made by the Legislative Counol in the Expeditionary Forces Voting Bill. The House also put through all stages the Law Practictioners' Amendment Bill, enabling young solicitors to count war service as part of the five years required to qualify as a barrister. The House adjourned at 2.29 till 11 a.m. The House met at 11 o'clock. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr. Poole, the Premier said that Cabinet had not agreed to grant any compensation to Lcyland and O'Brien, in connection with the damage done to the scow Moa captured by Count von Luckner after the escape of the German prisoners from Motuihi. Replying to Mr. McCombs, the Premier said it waß impossible to. pass a satisfactory amendment to the Shops and Offices Act this session. If lie was in power a consolidating measure would be brought down early next session. Replying to Mr- Holland, Mr. Massey said there was a shortage of sugar in the Dominion which was accentuated by the fact that a cargo of 4500 tons had had to be sent away from Australia because the watersiders refused to unload the steamer. The Board of Trade was inviting a representative of the Colonial Sugar Company to visit New Zealand to discuss the position. He not want to see rationing to individuals, but he would see there was fair distribution amongst towns. Replying to Mr. Ell, the Premier admitted that he was not familiar with all the details of the dispute between the miners and coal owners, but- if it was only a matter of tools and explosives lie thought the dispute could tie quickly settled. As soon as he was able to get time he proposed to go into the whole matter. The Appropriation Bill was introduced and read a first time. THE RAILWAY OUT. Mr. Massey laid on the table the report of the Royal Commission on the railway cut. The commission reports that there was no other reason for the curtailment of train services than the shortage of coal. feAILWAYMEN'S WAGES. Mr. Massey made a statement regarding railwaymen's wages. He fcaiti it was proposed to set up a board to inquire into wages and working conditionsThe Cabinet proposed to ask the board to report on what increase was necessary to meet the increased cost of living since March last, when the men made an agreement with the Government as to the scale of pay. The board would be asked to report Within three months, but on the question of this increase they would be asked to make an interim report. THANKS TO SOLDIERS AND SAILORS. The Premier moved a series of resolutions recording the thanks of the House in the'name of the people of New Zealand to the men who served on land and sea in the great war. The resolutions were seconded by Sir Joseph Ward, and supported by Mr. Holland on behalf of the Labor Party. A motion honoring in a spirit of reverence and pride the memory of those who gave their lives and expressing respectful sympathy with their relations wa3 carried by members standing in silence. Sympathetic speeches were made by members in support of .the motions. Mr. Massey made a statement, regarding the position of South African veterans and land settlement. He regretted that it was not possible to permit them to participate in soldiers' settlement at present, but as soon as the great bulk of the soTdiers were satisfied South African veterans would be allowed to come in. The House rose at 12.52 till 2.30The House of Representatives resumed at 2.30 p ill. By courtesy of the Premier opportunity was given Mr. McCombs to introduce the Industrial Disputes Settlement Bill, which was read a first time. SALARIES OF MEMBERS. The Premier moved the following motion: "That this House desires to express its opinion that the present lionorarium of members of Parliament is quite insufficient to enable them to live in reasonable comfort, and is not commensurate with their legislative responsibilities. This House therefore recommends the next Parliament to take ' this subject into consideration, with a

View to making more satisfactory provision for the salaries of its members, and enabling a superannuation scheme to be established so that men who have given many years of service to the State 1 may not And. themselves, in the evening of their life, insufficiently provided for." He agreed with the view that the present payment was altogether inadequate, being the lowest in the Empire. It was also desirable to provide some form of superannuation, as it was well known that many members, after serving a long time in 'Parliament, fell upon evil days, and it was the duty of the people who thought men good enough to represent them in Partiament to assist them in their declining years. It was not, of course, intended that any increase agreed to would apply to the present Parliament. The motion was seconded by Sir Joseph Ward rid supported by Messrs. Holland, Isitt, Payne, Poole, and carried on the voices. THE EVENING SESSION. When the House resumed at 7.30 the Bill was recommitted. A sub-clause was added to clause 39 giving further relief to the Grevmouth Harbor Board. The Bill was then reported. On the motion for the third reading, Mr. Holland asked that the Government should institute further investigations of the Crampton case. He declared the finding of the magistrate who inquired into the Watiganui barracks case showed that Crampton was unfitted to remain m the employ of the dDafence Department, He also asked for a return of men of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force sentenced during service abroad to punishment for various offences, with the number sentenced to death, the number of such sentences actually carried out, and the names of the officers constituting the court-marfials imposing such sentences. . . . Allen, in reply to the criticism of the defence administration, said Crampton was acquitted by a public court-martial. Touching on the subject of conscientious objectors, Sir James Allen said a number of these men adopted an utterly defiiant attitude, and their champion throughout the war had been the member for Grey, who unjustly accused officers of practising inhuman cruelties on men under their control. Sir James Allen concluded by declaring his regret that the member for Grey should have displayed throughout . the war a spirit of vindictiveness as in the case of Crampton, and a spirit of disloyalty to King and Country, and to the men who went, abroad to fight for right and justice. The Bill was read a third time and passed. POST OFFICE BONUS. The Postmaster-GenerHl made a statement regarding the war bonus to post and telegraph officials. He announced it had been decided to refer the matter, which was of 'a. difficult nature, to a judge of the Supreme Court or other person. to determine what should be done. Sir Joseph Ward protested that a promise had beeii given timt; the bonus, would be paid. He objected to Cabinet r Ministers' actions being reviewed by an outsider. Mr. Massey said the difficulty lay In the fact tliat there appeared to be mora than one promise and it was desirable that an independent man should sift the matter to the bottom. Sir Joseph Ward rejoined that the railwaymen had received a bonus and therefore the post and telegraph officials should be treated similarly] The introof the question of regrading in connection with the bonus was unjust to service. The bonus was originallv designed to meet the increased cost of living. THE FINANCIAL OUTLOOK. Sir James Allen moved the second reading of the Appropriation Bill, and explained its various clauses. He made a statement covering the financial outlook. The Budget estimate of the revenue was £22,919,000. For 6e\en months the revenue had exceeded that of the same period last year bv £1,103,000, and it was anticipated that the revenue, by March next would, witli the amount brought forward from last year, show an excess of £1,104,000, which would meet the increases under the Supplementary Estimates. If the butter . tax.. repavment to farmers amounting to £340,000 were added there would be a,deficit at March 31st ne\t amounting to .£525,000, but the Minister pointed out that half a million of expenditure provided for was not likely, to be actually incurred. ACCIDENT AT TRENTHAM. Mr. Wilford brought up the matter of ap accident-at the Trentham military . camp, whereby a boy named Waugh lost his life through a bomb explosion. The Court of Inquiry found certain officers guilty of neglect, but the. military authorities declared no charae could 'be laid against anyone. Mr. Wilford declared tho boy's father was unable to gain information as to the evidence adduced at the Court of Inquiry. Mr. Waugh now wanted a full investigation of the whole circumstances, but this could ( not be granted without the Minister's approval. Regarding the Waugh case, the Minister said tiie boy's father had been invited to bo present at the military inquiry, but he refused. The Minister said no good purpose would be served by re-opening the matter. THE BUTTER PAYMENT. The Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald made a lengthy reference to the butter equalisation fund, and disclaimed responsibility for the arrangement, which was made by the Premier. Mr. Massey said he took no part in the making of the equalisation arrangement, with which he did not agree, as under it the producer did not get the benefit. The exporter was the gainer. SUBSCRIBING TO LOAN. Replying to criticism. Sir James Allen said the Income Tax Department had been instructed to take action under the compulsory provisions of the Finance Act to call upon certain persons to subscribe to the loan. The Bill was read a second time. A Bill introduced by GovernorGeneral's message, providing for tho inclusion in the Appropriation Act of an amendment for special allowances to Minister's private secretaries, was put ■through committeo and reported with amendments. The House adjourned at 5 30. On the House resuming at 10.25 p.m. the Speaker announced that the Gov-ernor-General had signified his assent to the Appropriation Act. The Speaker acknowledged the references to himself and expressed his thanks to the officials of the House, and the sixth session closed at 11 p.m. of a long Parliament with the customary division on the Premier's motion to adjourn, which was cafried by 18 votes to