PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 October 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. .... THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By T»l»empli.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 pin. The Counties Bill was received from the House, read a second time pro fcrraa, and referred to the local government. committee. The Animals Protection Amendment Bill, which allows opposums to be killed under license, was read a second time, and referred to the statutes revision committee. The Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Amendment Bill, which proposes to constitute new districts for Bruce and (Hatha, was read a second time, and progress was reported from committee, for the purpose of allowing the districts concerned to endeavour to arrive at a compromise.

The Council rose at 3.45 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THE GOLDFIELD TROUBLE. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Mr. W. E. Parry (Auckland Central), Mr. Massey said it had not been found possible to instal waterfed drills in all the gold mines of the Dominion, because in many cases it had not been possible to get them by the date stipulated for by law, October 1. Mr. H. E. Holland (Buller) maintained that the machines could have been put in by that date if the owners had desired to do so, and he asked if the Premier would prosecute the owners who had not complied with the law. The Premier, in reply, said the whole matter would be ventilated before the Mines Committee next Tuesday. Owners who wilfully disobeyed the law should, of course, be prosecuted, hut on the other hand! indiscriminate prosecutions might cause hardship, because he was informed that in some cases the .machinery for the drills could not be obtained. The men in the Inangahua mines had struck in self defence, find no action would be taken in their case. In the same way there may be something to be said for the owners, and the Mines Committee would go into the question next week. THE GAS SUPPLY, Replying to Mr. Parry, the Hon. E. P. Lee said the Government was considering the question of bringing in legislation dealing with the supply of gas to the public. TELEPHONE MATERIAL. Replying to Mr. A. D. McLeod (Wairarapa), the Postmaster-General said the number of telephone poles required to carry out the present extensions throughout the Dominion was 80,000, and the number in stock or in sight at present was 63,000. Very much the same position existed in regard to insulators, although a Timaru Company was turning them out beyond expectations, and should be able to meet the supply. The work for the ensuing twelve months had been tabulated, and it was as follows: For Wellington district, about 3000 miles; Auckland, about 4000 milps; Canterbury, 1800; asd Otago 1300. This was what' the Department was faced with at present, and authority for this work had been taken. The shortage of poles should be easier very soon, as a shipment was expected. Wire had been in short supply, but other material was about normal]

NEW ZEALAND WAR MEDAL. A discussion ensued on the report of the Defence Committee, which had no recommendation to make in connection with the claim of combatants who were never under fire, to the New Zealand war medal, but no new ground was broken during the debate. COST OF LIVING BONUS. Many members supported a petition of temporary officers to. the full amount (£SO) of the cost of living bonus, their contention being that temporary clerks were doing similar work, and it cost them just as much to live as permanent officers. . The petition was referred to the Government for favorable consideration. The House rose at 9.40 p.m.