PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 July 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.; REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. THE DEFENCE POLICY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to the Hon. J. A. Hanan, the Premier said he would declare the Government defence policy later in the session. CUSTOMS REVISION. Replying to Mr. Veitch, Sir William Herrieg said the Government proposed to amend the customs tariff next session. Mr. Isitt asked if something could not be done at once to give relief to importers, who were compelled to pay duty on the higher price of goods whidh increased in.value between date of purchase and date of landing. The Minister said he VroUla look intd the question, hilt he was advised the Department was only doing «ow%hat hod been done for the last thirty years; He did not think anyone was suffering from anomalies, and revenue must be found for the Minister of Finance. Mr. Luke asked if something could not be done to relieve the tile industry, which was almost strangled by dump' ing. The Minister said the Government would do everything' possible to encourage locn.l industries, but he did not think it came within the power of the tariff to stog dumping. Replying to the Hon. J. A. Hanaii, the Minister said it Was impossible for ahy Government to bring down a revision of the tariff in the first Session of Parliament, When they did bring down their new proposals it would be found they would be the delight and Wonder of the wdrid. TUBERCULAR SOLDIERS. Replying to Mr. McCombs, the Hon. D. H. Guthrie (Minister in Charge of Repatriation) stated that men in tubercular Sanatoria Were under the care of the Defence Department, with which he bad nothing to do. When they left the sanatoria the greatest attention was paid them by after care officers, and the Repatriation Department used its (rfeatest efforts to secure them suitable employment, of provide them with suitable land on which to settle. The Hon. J. G. Coates (Minister of Defence) said that so fat- as pensions to tubercular men were concerned, the (Department Whs bound to act on the advice of its officers. The Department was hot disposed to act on quibbles, but desired to treat tubercular soldiers geherpusly. The question of giving all such "men not less than a full year's pension was being considered by Cabinet. Replying to Colonel Mitchell, the Minister said ho would consider the advisability of hearing the views of fioldiers regarding pensions before the proposed Bill was brought down to the House. A PRIVATE BILL. Leave was given .Mr. Campbell to introduce the Napier Harbor Board Amendment Bill, and the Bill was read a first time. The House then proceeded to the orders of the day, and the debate on the Address-in-Rcply was resumed by the Hon. W. L\ S. McDonald (Leader of the Opposition).