PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL By Talograph.—Press As»oclatlo» Wellington, Last Night. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Leader of the Council informed the Hon. (}. M. Thomson that he could not circulate among members during the ravss Bills postponed and which it is intended to bring down next session. To. do so would be to present metabers with the Government policy in advance.

Sir Francis Bell moved the second reading of the Rotorua Town Lands Bill, saying' the Government would neither save nor lose by the change in tenure.

The second reading was carried by '.24 votes to 0, the noes being the Hons. Barr, Earnshaw, Geddis, Grimmond, Hull-Jones, and Izard. After passing through committee the Bill was read a third time and passed. * Sir Francis Bell moved the second reading of the Legislature Amendment Bill, postponing tht* coming into force of the scheme under which the Maori elections of members of Parliament are to be conducted in the same manner as the European elections. The Bill also defined more clearly a section of the principal Act dealing with the disqualification from Parliamentary honors of a man who enters into a contract with the Government. Sir Francis Bell explained that the latter was necessary, as it had been suggested that the exception only applied to land taken compulsorily by the Government. The Bill made it clear that the Government might acquire lands or offices from a member or associations in which a member heltl a share without risking the disqualification of those concerned.

The Bill was read a second time, put through committee, and passed. The District Railways Amendment Bill, the Orchards and Garden Diseases Amendment Bill, and the Local Railways Amendment Bill were received from the House, put through all stages, and parsed. .Sir Francis Bell moved ,the second reading of the Bank of New' Zealand Bill, and traversed the history of the bank since the State .came to its assistance in 1894, and dealt in detail with the provisions of the measure. The Bill was read a second time without further debate, reported from' committee without amendment, read a third time, and passed. The Stone Quarries Amendment Bill was received from the; House and jead a first time.

The Council adjourned at 4.25 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

FREE RAILWAY TRAVEL. The Hortse of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Mr. J. A. Young (Waikato), Mr. Massey said the Government was still considering the advisability of raising tbo age for free travel on the. railways from three to five years, but he hoped to be in a position to make a statement on the subject in a few days. Consideration of the matter had been delayed by the pressure of other business. THE WOOL MARKET. Replying to Mr. E. Newman (Maimwatn), Mr. Massey said he had nothing to add to his last statement made on August 10 on the wool position in Lonlon, but lie would send a cable to the High Commissioner asking if the position had changed since his last statement.

NEW ZEALAND CROSS. Replying to Mr. W. H. Field (Otaki), the Hon. Sir Heaton Rhodes said Cabinet had not yet eouie to a decision in reference to the petition against the award of the New Zealand Cross to certain individuals. The evidence was very conflicting, and it would take a considerable time to sift it and arrive at a conclusion.

GOOD WHEAT PROSPECTS. Replying to Dr. H. T. Thacker (Christchurch East), the Hon. W. Nosworthy said the prospects for next harvest were good. Steps would be taken to see that there was sufficient wheat in the country till the new harvest comes in.