PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 August 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS,

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. pit Francis Bell informed the Hon. G. M. Thomson that Mr. Bird's report on the subject of education in Samoa and the Cgok Islands was for the confidential information of the Government, and' it was not considered desirable to make the information public yet. The Hon. G. M. Thomson moved for a lpturn showing: (1.) How much coal, and of what value, has been imported during the yejr for use on the New Zealand railways; (2) how much imported coal is on hand now in the Railway Department, and how much on order; (3) what progress has been made In the utilisation of pulverised coal in railway locomotives. Sir Francis Bell Government, for obvious reasons, was not prepared to give a return upon the first two points, and therefore he asked the mover not to press 'the matter. Speaking of the thirds matter," lie said the department was in touch with the railways using poetised coal, and had had for some time part of the plant required, but owing to t!ie lack of labor and material it was impossible to go any further. Mr. Thomson expressed willingness to withdraw the motion, T>ut expressed dissatisfaction with the refusal of the railway officials to give him, As a member of Parliament, information required. The motion was accordingly withdrawn. Sir Francis Bell explained that the reasons given by the House for dissenting from certain amendments made by the Council to the Gaming Act Amendment Bill did not appear to apply to the clauses in question, and he therefore moved that the House be asked for ln» formation concerning the special amendments to which the House disagreed.

Sir JVancis Bell moved the second reading of the Masseurs Registration Bill, and this was agreed to. The Juries Act Amendment Bill (the Hon. J. MacGregor) waß read & third time. " The Council adjourned at 3.20 p.i?.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. REPLIES TO QUESTION'S. "The House of Representatives met at 2.30 pan. Replying to Mr. Luke, the Hon. Sir William Herries said it would be impossible to grant a remission of Customs duties on cast-iron water-pipes. The matter could be gone into next year, when the tariff is before the House.

Replying to Mr. Mitchell, the Hon. Sir Heaton Rhodes said the policy of the War Graves Commission was, wherever practicable, to employ a British caretaker to tend the graves of soldiers buried abroad. Where this was not practicable other arrangements would iba made.

LOCAL BODY LOANS. THE QUESTION OF INTEREST Mr. Veitch moved- the secotfd reading of the Wanganui Borough Council Empowering and Acquisition Bill, which was agieed to x and at the honorable member's request" the Bill was put through all the remaining stages and paused. During the progress of the Bill through committee, Mr. Veitch sought to insert ait amendment giving the Governor-in-Council power to fix the rate of interest. To this there was general opposition, as several local Bills had already been passed in which the rate of interest was definitely fixed at 54 per cent. If the rate was left open in the Watiganui Bill, and a higher rate than 5% was offered, other local bodies would be prejudiced in Taising their loans at 5%.

At the Premiers' suggestion the amendment was withdrawn, the Premier stating that legislation would be brought down this session binder which the rates of interest could be adjusted as the price of money rose or fell; OTHER MEASURES. Mr. Massey moved the third reading of the Statutes Repeal and Expiring Luwe Amendment and Continuance TSili. which was agreed to after a brief discussion. Tin- llrM. Yv. Xosworthy moved the second reading of the Agricultural and I'astoral Societies Amendment Bill, which provides t'hat A. and I'. Societies may not dispose of Crown granted lands except with the approval nf the Gover-nor-Gimernl-m-t'ouncil. The }!ill was subsequently put through all stages and paused. The House then discussed the defence report, and rose at 10.4:! p.m.