PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

PETITION OF HOME SERVIOE MEN.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Mr. Wright presented a petition presented by 1000 home service men, asking that they may be permitted to participate in war pensions and gratuities. The Hon. G. .T. Anderson gave notice of his. intention to move the Gaming Act Amending Bill. IMMIGRATION. Replying to Mr. Mitchell, the Hon. W, H. Nosworthy said the Government was making every provision for nominated immigrants coming to New Zealand. If trouble had arisen in connection with assisted immigrants the fault was not at the door of the Government, the mistake having been made at the other end. RAILWAYS AND COAL. Replying to Mr. Sidey, Mr. Massey said there was no railway cut imminent owing to the shortage of coal. At the same time he would like to point out that the railway stocks of coal were at present rather below than above the average. MR, HOLLAND'S IRISH MOTION. Mr. Holland pointed out that his. notice of motion regarding the Government of Ireland, given by him yesterday, had hot been put on the order papef. He asked if the notice of motion had been .ruled out of order. The .Speaker said he had taken the responsibility of ruling that the notice of motion should not go on the order paper, because he considered it reflected on the actions of the British Government. \

Mi;. Holland attempted to raise the question of privilege, but the Speaker ruled that this was not a question of privilege. If he desired to question the ruling of the Speaker he could do so in the usual way.

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY, I The usual sessional committees were then set up. The Speaker announced that he, accompanied by members, had presented to his Excellency the Administrator the Address phased by the House, and his Excellency had made a suitable reply. The Dunedin City Corporation Empowering Bill (Mr. Statham) was introduced and read a first time. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Ministers replied to questions as follows: That a report is now being obtained as to the probable cost of increasing the lower superannuation allowances to meet the increased cost of living. THat New Zealand woollen companies have been allowed to purchase wool they required for local manufacture and sale on the following terms: (a) For such quantity of wool as waß equal to the average quantity treated at the works during the previous two years, the purchase price to be the appraised price plus cost of valuations; (b) for any increased quantity, the purchase price to be the appraised price plus the cost of valuation and plus half the difference between th.e appraised price and the London sale values.

' A return will be furnished showing the exportation of woollen from New Zealand during the past two years. The contract fgr the purchase of the New Zealand worn clip includes all wool clipped up to.June 30, 1920. That the present Government II not responsible for the present electoral system known as "first past the post," though the Government is of opinion that for the House of Representatives it is better than any other method which has been suggested as an alternative. That the anti-shouting law would be dealt with in legislation this session. That the question of an increase of old age pensions will be dealt with wlien legislation is introduced this session regarding the retention of the bonus paid under tlie Finance Act, 1917, as a portion of the statutory pension. tfhat it is not proposed to introduoe legislation for an increase of miners' pensions under the Miners' Phthisis Act this session. The matter was dealt with, ,and an increase granted, under thp Financ# Act of last session. That it is not proposed to introduce legislation this : session competing owners of unoccupied houses to make them available for homeless families. That it is intended to amend the Housing Act this session, when the proposal to inore'ase the amount allowed municipal councils under this .head per annum (£10,000) will be considered.

That the question of further eitend' ing maternity allowances is being con ■ sidered.

That so far as returned jioldiers are considered, it is not proposed to introduce special legislation for tubercular rases. 'Any discharged soldier who suffers from a recurrence of tubercular or other , disease may make application for further consideration of hiij case by the War Pensions Board at any timo. That the Education Department is at present preparing an authorised list of primary school books, which will have the effect of securing greater uniformity throughout the Dominion. That under section 7 of the Mortgages Extension Act, 1020, any mortgagor may apply to the Supreme Court to extend the term for the repayment of the principal sum until a date not later than December 31, 1921. The conditions of the Act of last year were very carefully settled, by a joint committee of both Houses, and the Government does not consider it necessary to propose any amendment.

That nothing would be gained by the establishment of a separate weather bureau for the South Island, as weather forecasts based on local phenomena are inadequate, and not in accordance with the development of modern meteorology. ' < That inquiry is now being made into wood pulp leases, and on receipt of thp information asked for, the question 1 of cancelling the leases which are not likely to be worked will he considered. That it is proposed to introduce during the present session legislation regarding the sale of seeds. That the censorship is nob now under •the control of the military authorities. Control was some time ago transferred to the Crown Law Office; (2) letters censored have been dealt with as found necessary for the purposes stated in (3); (3) censorship is continued for the time being in order to enforce the terms of the Treaty of Peace with regard to enemy moneys and properties, and for the prevention of the evasion of these