PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 October 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS., THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. ;■ By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Slight. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Lands Laws Amendment Bill was reported from the Lands Committee without amendment. The Mining Amendment Bill and the Coal Mines Amendment Bill were received from the House read a second time pro forma, and referred to the Mines Committee. The Hospital and Charitable Institutions Amendment Bill, setting up the new district of South Otago, was read a third time on the voices and passed after a lengthy debate. MUNICIPAL LAW. J The Council further considered the Municipal Corporations Bill in committee. A clause giving power to prohibit the use of water for gardens during shortage was strengthened. _ The Hon. M. Cohen's proposal that an extraordinary vacancy in a council should be filled by the appointment of the unsuccessful candidate at t!he previous eleefion with most votes, was lost on a division.

The Bill was reported with amendments and read a third time and passed. THE HEALTH BILL. Sir Francis Bell, in moving the committal of the Health Bill, said it was the result of consideration of the matter following on the epidemic. The Hon. Colonel Collins heartily supported rJhe Bill, saying that from a. public health point of view it was an excellent measure. He regretted the Government had not included in the Bill measures against the spread of venereal disease. The W. H. Triggs joined in congratulating the Government for introducing the Bill and referred particularly to the placing of the health of sdhools more directly under the Minister of Health. The Bill was committed and reported with minor amendments. The Death Duties Amendment and Statutes Drafting and Compilation Bill was put through committee, read a third time and pas-sed. The Explosives and Dangerous Goods Amendment Bill was read a second time. In committee the definition of local authority was widened. The Bill was reported with amendments. The Council rose at 10.40 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. CONDITION OF MEAT. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Mr. H. E. Holland (Buller), who in a series of questions regarding the condition of meat killed for export, asked for a commission of inquiry into the meat shipped on the Mahan'a and the Wiltshire, the Hon. W Nosworthy said a commission was not necessary. If Mr. Holland would supply him with all the facts in his possession regarding the allegations made by him, he would have a rigorous inquiry made by his department which would do all that was required. SPIRIT OF PATRIOTISM. Replying to Mr. L. M. Isitt (Christchurch), the Hon. C. J. Parr said a great deal was now being done by the Education Department in the direction of instilling into senior scholars a spirit of patriotism and love of country by the teaching of history. He would, during the recess, look into the matter, and see whether all that might be done is being done. Mr. Holland said that on information supplied to him it appeared there was a difference of £l4 Ss between the price paid for a ton of potatoes by merchants to producers and the cost to the public. He asked if the Government would inquire into this ease of alleged profiteering. The Hon. E. P. Lee said he would inquire into it.

SURPLUS ARMY STORES. Replying to Mr. Q. HaAvken (figment), the Hon. Sir Heaton Rhodes snid no surplus army stores had yet been disposed of. His idea was that Government departments have first choices, and as soon as their wants are known, depots will bo opened in the four chief centres, where goods may be purchased by country people alt prices similar to those charged to townspeople. NEW MEASURES. The following Bills were introduced and read a. first timer—Noxious Weeds Amendment Bill (Hon. W. Nosworthy); Orchard and Garden Diseases Amendment Bill (Hon. W. Nosworthy); Stone Quarries Amendment Bill (Mr. Massey); Nurses' Registration Amendment Bill (Hon. C, J. Parr); Land Drainage Amendment Bill (Hon. G. J. Anderson); Local Railways Amendment Bill (Hon. J. G. C'oates). Discussing the Nurses' Registration Amendment Bill, the Hon. C. J. Parr said it was his desire to cut as much of the drudgery as possible out of tlie work and life of nurses. Explaining the Local Railways Amendment Bill the Hon. J. G. Coate's said the Bill gave power to build railways on a less guage than 3 feet (i inches, but it would be for the Government to fix what the guage would be. The amount of money available under the Bill would be fixed by the Ministry of Finance. 30MINI0N NEWS.

GOLD MINE DISPUTE OVER; • By Telegraph,—Press Assn.—Copyright. Reefton, Last Night. The Waiutu wateri'eed drill dispute has boen settled. The men receive compensation for the full time lost, and the drill will be installed before the end of the year. The men consider they were well treated. The mine resumed this morning.