PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 October 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. a■. . . .THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL il lelegtaph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Te Aroha Crown Leases Bill and the Treaties of Peace Amendment Bill I were put through their final stages and ! passed. I Sir Francis Bell moved the committal lof the Companies Amendment Bill, I which had already been read a second | time pTo forma. He explained that the j Bill gave dairy epmjpanies power to invest in allied industries, and provided a technical amendment regarding the re-organisation of the capital of compaisies in general. This 'Bill, and the Internal Affairs Amendment Bill, which excludes control of the Cook Islands from the Internal Affairs Department, were put through the final stages and passed. Sir Francis Bell moved the second reading of the Civil List Bill (No. 2), dealing with the salaries of members, remarking incidentally that, in his opinion, the payment to the Prime Minister was much less than should go with the position, and very much less than should be paid to the man who at present held office, (Applause.) The Bill was read a second time. The Hospital and Charitable Institutions Amendment Bill was received from the House and Tead a first time. The Council rose at 3.47 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ENCOURAGING TRADE. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Mr. W. H. Field (Otaki), the Hon. W. Noaworthy said he would consult with his colleagues with a view i to encouraging trade with the United States, and any other countries where such development may be thought posi sible. PREMIERS' CONFERENCE. \ Replyingto Mr. W. E. Parry (Auck- , land Central), Mr. Massey said it had not yet been decided whether he would , go to the Premiers' Conference in June next, but if he did not go, Mr. Parry could depend on the Dominion being well , represented. He would make a stateI ment to the House shortly on this im- , portant subject, and the House would , have an opportunity of discussing it. ; "SAVE THE CHILDREN." i _ Replying to Mr. R. A. Wright (Weli lington Suburbs), the Hon. G, J. Ander- ! Bon said £35,000 had already been for- • warded to London in connection with • the "Save the Children Fund." There ■ was an additional £IO,OOO in hand, which would be forwarded in a few ■ days. THE WHARF STRIKE. Replying to Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington 1 Central), the Hon. Sir William Henries j said the law office had not yet advised the Government that the ship-owners i had broken the law in connection with ■ the recent lock-out on the Wellington j wharves. ' THE ARMOUR REPORT. I Replying to Mr. Wilford (Hutt), Mr. 1 G. Hunter (chairman) said the Armour Committee would report to thp House in I eight or ten days. The delay was due 1 to a difficulty in getting the evidence • printed. RED CROSS FOT)S. v 1 i Replying to Mr. O. Hawken (Egmdnt), j the Hon. G. J. Anderson said conferences - would shortly be held in connection - with Red Cross funds, and he hoped to r be able to make a statement to the i House shortly as to the final disposition 1 of the funds. t Week-end excursions. 1 Replying to Mr. McCombs (Lyttelton), ' Mr. Massey said the question of reinstating week-end railway excursion J fares would be considered at an early date. 5 THE MINING INDUSTRY. 9 i The Mining Amendment Bill and the ) Coal Mines Amendment Bill were also introduced by Governor-General's mes- - Bage and read a second time, and re--1 ferred to the Mines Committee, Mr. Massey explained that the Mines i Bill provided machinery amendments, including financial power to the Govern- , ment to grant financial assistance to . coal mining companies or miners, in , cases of necessity) also to grant aid to , gold mines, and extend the powers of , wardens administering the Act, ", FIRST OFFENDERS. ' The Hon. E. P. Lee moved the second reading of the Offenders' Probation Bill. ' The First Offenders Probation Act, he '' said, worked mast satisfactorily, but ' certain extensions were found necessary, and this wrb the policy of the Bill before the House. The principal alterations in the law provided for the appointing of probation officers of either sex, that they should have the powers of constables, that the term of probation might be extended from three years to five years, and that a Court may prohibit the publication of the names of first offenders charged under the Act. The present law required to be brought up-to-date, and he felt sure this Bill would assist the Courts in dealing with first offenders. In the debate that followed the ])rin- ' ciples of the Bill were generally aps proved. : The Bill was read a second time, and • was put through the committee stage ! without amendment. f Later the Bill was reported from com- ■ mittee without amendment, read a third ■ time, and passed. The House rose at 1-1,20 p.m.