PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 June 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS,

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

By Telegraph Press Association.

Wellington, Last Night. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. A motion of condolence with the widow of the late Hon. George Ran Jail Johnstone was passed. The Hon. W. H. Triggs gave notice of his intention to move the Address-in-Re-Leave of absence for 14 days was granted to the Hon. T. Mac Gibbon, ana for two months to the Hon. W. D. H. Baillie.

The Council rose at 2.43 p.m. until 8 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

NOTICE OF NEW BILLS.

The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. The Hon. G. J. Anderson (Minister of Internal Affairs) gave notice that he would introduce next sitting day the following Bills:—Standard Time, Marriage Amendment, Revocation of Naturalisation Amendment, Registration of Aliens Amendment.

Mr. McCallum gave notice to introduce the Legislature Amendment Bill. Leave of absence was granted to Messrs. J. S. Dickson and W. D. Stewart for six and four days respectively. DEBATE ON SAMOA.

In reply to a question by Mr. Vernon Reed, the Hon. E. P. Lee (Minister of External Affairs) stated that an opportunity would be given members at an early date to discuss Samoa. The debate would not be restricted, and, papers bearing on the matter would be furnished to members before the debate came on.

LICENSING MATTERS.

Mr. Isitt asked if the Government would see that the provisions of the Licensing Act, prohibiting the removal of licenses more than certain distances, were carried out in their entirety. Ha cited cases on the East Coast where this was going on.

The Premier replied that the matter was sub judice, and he could not say anything further than that the transfer now under discussion had been opposed by the Government, and would be opposed in further proceedings. Mr. Isitt asked why work was permitted in the coustructiou of hotel pre-, raises at Matamata, also why wood was permitted in the construction of a building within the brick area

The Minister promised to inquire inLo the matters mentioned.

COOLIES AT NAURU,

Replying to questions, the Premier said he believed that the coolie labor on Nauru Island in connection with the production of phosphate would he reduced at an early date. He could not say if the coolies would be eliminated soon, because the British, Australian and New Zealand Governments were taking over all the employees of the Nauru Phosphates Company who wished to remain in their jobs, and he could not tell yet what the position of the coolies would be. Phosphates would be landed in New Zealand and sold to the farme; at the lowest possible price. CUSTOMS REVISIQN.

Replying to Mr. MeCombs, the Hon. Sir William Herries (Minister of Customs) said that if the customs duly on hardwood posts required by local bodi?s were remitted it would have to be made up out of the consolidated fund. The whole matter would be gone into when the tariff came up for revision next session. Various anomalies in the Australian tariff now under revision which operated against New Zealand had been brought to the notice of the Federal Prime Minister.

Sir William Herries, replying to further inquiries, said 'an opportunity would be given the public to express an opinion on needed tariff reform before some official body during the recess- He did not think a Commission of memben of the House would be suitable for this work, nor could he entertain the idea of business men conducting such an inquiry, as they naturally would be sure to "push their own barrows."

HYDRO-jELECTRIC POWER.

The Hon. J. G. Coates (Minister of Public Works) said no unavoidable delay would be permitted in connection with the Mangahao electric supply scheme, and when details of the proposed Southland scheme were available full investigation would be made by Government officers

Tenders had been invited for an electric installation in the Otira tunnel, but it was foiind necessary to extend the time for their receipt for a month. He hoped the work would be finished within eighteen months from the time the tender was accepted.

MOTIONS OF CONDOLENCE,

A motion of condolence with the relatives of the late Mr. Henare Kaihau, a former member of the House, was passed, on the motion of the Premier, seconded by the Leader of the Opposition. , A similar resolution was adopted in the case of the Hon. G. R. Johnstone, on? time a member of the Legislative Council.

THE ADDRESS-IN-EEPLY.

Replying' to the Leader of the Opposition, the Premier said lie proposed to take the Address-in-Reply debate at 7.30 p m. to-morrow. The House adjourned at 5.15 p.m. till 2.30 to-morrow.