PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 September 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

3 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. NORTHERN COAL STRIKE. By Telegraph.—Press AmooI»Uob. Wellington, Last Night The House- of 'Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Mr. W. E. Parry (Auckland Central) asked' the Premier if, in view of the serious effect of the northern coal trouble, threatening as it does the industrial and commercial activity of Auckland, the Prime Minister would consider the advisability of convening a conference between representatives of the mine owners and the minerß, with the object of bringing about an amicable settlement of the dispute. Mr. Massey, in reply, said the dispute was assuming serious proportions, but it was not a dispute in which the Government was concerned. The case was quite different from that at "the State mines, where the Government was the employer. He hoped the parties concerned would' soon adjust their differences, and permit production to proceed; the sooner the better. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. Answering questions, Ministers gave the following, amongst other answers:— That the Government intends to do its best to assist in every way'the marketing of the coming season's wool clip to the best advantage, and the matter of how best to do this is at present under discussion. Full consideration is being given to the question of advertising in America, Japan, and other outside countries, and of offering inducements to buyers from overseas to attend sales in New Zealand. That (1) an assurance can be given that the money being raised throughout the Dominion for the starving children in Europe will be transmitted to the Save the Children Fund, which is an approved fund under the War Charities Act, Idle, England; (2) money collected for dependents of sailors who lost their lives at the battle of Jutland have been paid over to the Navy League Overseas Relief Fund, London," by whom it is being disbursed. The department is unable to say what balance is still available for this purpose In London. SERIOUS COAL SHORTAGE. The House then proceeded to discuss answers given by Ministers to questions. Speaking during the discussion, Mr. Massey, in referring to the new fuel "Mazout," mentioned by Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition), said the Government would make inquiries to see how far it could be utilised in New Zealand. So far as the coal supply was concerned, Mr. Massey was afraid wb would have t.o put up with a serious shortage of coal for some time Jo come. There were, in his opinion, only two remedies for that shortage. One was to push on with the supply of hydro-electrio power as much as possible, and that would be done. The other remedy was to secure the services of more miners. An hon. member: "Encourage immigration." Mr. Massey: "Yea, encourage immigration." • He hoped, in the near future, to Bee a considerable increase in the number of miners in the Dominion. LEAGUE OF NATIONS. Refcring to the approaching meeting of the League, of Nations at Geneva, Mr. Massey said Sir James Allen had been requested to represent New Zealand at that gathering. There being no further business that the House could transact, Mr.. Massey moved the adjournment, and the House rose at 5.5-6 p.m.