PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

SATURDAY'S SITTING.

, END OF SESSION IN SIGHT. By Telegraph,—Press Association. WfelMgton, Oct. 30. The House of Representatives met this afternoon at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Mr. R. McCallum (Wairau), the Premier said lie could not say if the session would finißh by next Friday, but he hoped so. He would be able to say by the middle of the week if it would be necessary to sit in the following week. NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL. Replying to Mr. G. Mitchell (Wellington South), the Minister of Defence said he could not announce what was proposed to be done in the matter of a national war memorial, because it may be necessary to take certain land for the purpose, and if knowledge of the possible site got abroad it would result in ihe value of the land being unduly raised.

CHANGING SCHOOL INSPECTORS. The Minister of Education, replying to Mr. J. P. Luke (Wellington North), »aid the system of shifting school inspectors from one district to another would be beneficial by tending to produce uniformity in the teaching systems of the several districts. It would'also enlarge t\e experience of the inspectors themselves. PROTECTING THE PUBLIC. Replying to questions by Mr. 0. Hawken (Egmont) and Mr. G. Witty (Ricearton), who complained that the people were being robbed through shortages in the contents of canisters used for various foods and other commodities, the Minister of Internal Affairs said it was not intended to bring down legislation this session dealing with the matter. He woukl, however, go fully into it during the recess, and steps would be taken to see that the consumers were given the fullest protection possible under the law as it stood, and if further power was needed a Bill would be introduced next session for that purpose. 1

Mr. Hawken mentioned that tins ostensibly containing one pound were found to have anything from eleven to sixteen ounces of contents. So-called two-ounce tobacco tins contained only 1J ounces. NEW MEASURES. The NatiVe Amendment Bill and the Native Land Claims Adjustment Bill (the Hon. Sir "William Herries), and the Aviation Amendment Bill (the Hon. Sir Heaton Rhodes) were introduced and read a first time. The former was read a second time pro forma, and referred to the Native Affairs Committee.

THE HOUSING BILL. The Minister of Labor moved that the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Housing Amendment Bill be agreed to. Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central)' moved that the Council's proposal eliminating the liability of a newspaper to a penalty up to £IOO fine for publishing an advertisement stipulating or demanding a bonus or a premium for obtaining the occupation of a house, be disagreed with.

Sir William Herries paid disagreement might jeopardise the Bill, and he hoped the House would accept the Council's amendment. Mr. Fraser's amendment was lost by 47 votes to 15, and the Council's amendments were agreed to. BILLS PASSED. The Nurses' Registration Amendment j Bill was read a second time, put | through committee, read a third time, and passed. ! The Land Drainage Amendment Bill was also put through its final stages and passed. Mr. Massey moved the second reading of the Incorporated Societies Amend" ment Bill, which, he empowered societies, such as Farmers' Unions, guilds, and tfther bodies, to establish branches. The second reading was carried, and the Bill was put through its final stages and passed. THE RAILWAY BILL. The Governmest Railways Bill was introduced by Governor-General's message, read a fir* time and referred to the railways committee, after being read a second time pro forma. The House adjourned at 5.46 p.m. till 2.30 on Monday.