PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 September 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Ej Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Legislative Council met at, 2.30 p.m. The House notified that it was willing to agree to' the Council's amendments to the Masseurs Registration Bill, with the exception of a ,new clause taking away from unregistered masseurs powers, to sue for the recovery of fees. , The Council decided not to insist on this amendment. ', The Council rose at 2.35 p.m. T . ( j HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES'. NO MORE PENNY POSTAGE. ; { The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Mr. McCombs, Mr. Massey said he did not see any prospect of returning to penny postage in New Zealand as proposed in Australia. Whatever was the case in Australia,increased postal rates meant increased revenue in New Zealand, BROKEN HILL STRIKE. Replying to Mr. Smith (Waimarino), who asked if the Government was aware of the terms of "the appeal being made in New Zealand for subscriptions ill aid of the Broken Hill strike, Mr. Massey said he did not admire the attitude of the Broken Hill strikers, who remained out of work for sixteen months. Had they chosen to do so, he had no doubt they could get work elsewhere. There was plenty of work in New Zealand, and he thought the people should exercise caution in subscribing to their strike appeal. He had no doubt the asking of the question would draw public attention to the matter. THE ESTIMATES. HANDS AND SURVEY. The House then went into committee of supply to further consider the Estimates. The /Public' Health vote was considered first, and the House then passed to the Department of Lands and Survey (£284,133). The Minister, replying to a question, said the Department would deal sympathetically witb co-operative sawmill enterprises. Assistance had already been given to twg such mills on tho West Coast, and one on the Main Trunk railway would be under way as soon as | a suitable block of bush was available. Mr. Field put in a word for scenic reserves. Ho the Government could not purchase the remaining native interests in Kapiti Island, the administration of which at present was a public scandal. Replying to questions, the Minister said the Government had spent £94,000 in acquiring scenic reserves. He agreed that the balance of Kapiti Island should ibo secured by tlie Government. Tlie question of dealing adequately with I noxious weeds would be taken in hand thoroughly by the Lands Department and the Agricultural Department in cooperation. The Minister, referring to soldier settlements,' said several blocks should shortly be ready for this purpose. He was against land speculation and aggregation, and would do all he could to discourage such things. Referring to the Urewera lands, he said there was much of excellent quality, but it was unsuitable for working by men without capital. At 1.20 a.m. the Lands Department class Was passed. The committee proceeded to discuss the Valuation Department (£09,381), and the valuation and electoral vote was passed unaltered. The House was discussing the Agricultural Department vote ( £289,997) when the telegraph office closed at 2 a.m.