PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 July 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. " LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telieraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Gaming Amendment Bill, the Judicature Amendment Bill, the Arms Bill, and the Magistrates' Courts Amendment Bill were received from the House of Representatives and" read a first time. Replying to Colonel Smith, Sir Francis Bell said the present position prevented him from expressing himself fully in regard to shipping. The question was now under the consideration of the Government, but in view of a possible change of freights it was not advisable to intervene immediately. The Hon. J. MacGregor's motion re the Arbitration Act was discharged frojm the Order Paper at l;is own request, The Revocation of Naturalisation Amendment Bill was reported from committee with minor amendments.

The Council rose at 2.50 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. LABOR AND IMMIGRATION. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Mr. Fraser, who asked if the Government would exhibit in England cinema pictures of "slums in Wellington," with a view to enlightening intending immigrants as to the housing accommodation in New Zealand, the Hon W. Nosworthy said the Government would certainly not take any steps to advertise any matter in England detrimental to the Dominion, and he was surprised at ,he lion, gentleman supposing they would. CONTROL OP COAL. Replying to Mr. Luke, Mr. Massey said a proposal was being considered to place the distribution of domestic coal in the hands of the Board of Trade. SALE OF OATS." Replying ito Mr. Hamilton (Awarua), Mr. Massey said he did not know what Aucklahd merchants were supposed to be concerned in the sale of 150,000 bags of "paper oats." To his mind the practice was most objectionable, and he would have enquiries made to ascertain if it was legal. THE CENSORSHIP. Replying to Mr. Holland, Mr. Massey said he would enquire into the reason why a consignment of books was being held up at Auckland, If it was due to censorship that would shortly be abolished. SUPPLY OF CEMENT. Mr. Massey made a statement on the subject of the supply of cement. He said the whole position depended os the supply of -oal. This was now being assured to Northern cement works, and he hoped the shortage would be overtaken in three months. RESULTS OF IMMIGRATION. The Hon. W. Nosworthy, Minister of Immigration, laid on the table a paper relating to the work of that Department. He stated that during the year 31 ships brought out 3811 immigrants to New Zealand.

This raised a debate, in which country members supported the immigration policy of the Government, and the Labor Party opposed it, until adequate housing was provided for the people who are already in the Dominion. This discussion lasted till 5.30 p.m., when the House adjourned till 7.30 p.m. The evening session was confined ito the delivery of the Financial Statement.