PARLIAMENT TO-DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1921, Page 5

PARLIAMENT TO-DAY.

THIS WEEK’S BUSINESS. MR. MASSEY AND THE CONFERENCE. Parliament resumes to-day. The business this week is not likely to be of very great importance. About a dozen private members’ Bills are on the Order Paper, and they are expected to receive a share of attention. The Prime Minister has had scant time yet. to overtake accumulations of work, and to acquaint himself "with the details of legislation that was prepared during his absence. He may be able, however, to make his promised statement regarding the work of the Imperial Conference and the other matters that occupied his attention in London during the week. Three important Government measures, the Local Bodies Loans Amendment Bill, the Motor Vehicles Bill, and the Mortgages and Deposits Extension Bill, are awaiting their second reading, but they are not expected to proceed immediately. THE WASHINGTON CONFERENCE.

The Prime Minister hinted last week that he might have an announcement to make within a few days regarding the Washington Conference. It has been stated since then that Sir Francis Bell may go to Washington on behalf of New Zealand, but there is no foundation for this report. The leader of the Legislative Council is required in his present place during the strenuous period that is ahead of Parliament. Mr. Pearce is going to the conference as the representative of Australia, and it has been suggested in Melbourne that he may be delegated to speak for New Zealand as well as for his own country. This arrangement might work well enough, since the interests of Australia and New Zealand are closely allied as far as the international relationships of the Pacific are concerned, but definite information is not yet available on the point. In fact, no official announcement has yet been made of any change in the original arrangement, which debarred Australia and New Zealand from direct representation at the conference. The United States Government, which issued the invitations, seems to have taken up the attitude that there should be only one delegation from the British Empire. AIR COMMUNICATIONS. The development of air communication is one of the matters to be mentioned by the Prime Minister in the course of his report to Parliament on the work of the recent Imperial Conference. The Prime Ministers of the Empire gave much attention to this subject while they were in London, and it is understood that they approved of certain proposals for submission to the various Parliaments. Recent cables have indicated that an important scheme of aerial transport is awaiting the sanction of the Dominions. It appears that the recent airship disaster in Britain has not discouraged the experts who are working under the Air Ministry. The big airship that failed was of a specialised type designed for war purposes, and the experts are confident that they can build strong and relatively safe airships capable of covering the distances that separate the Dominions of the Empire. The problem is regarded as one of cost, and it may be assumed that any scheme for the establishment of an Imperial airship service will involve payments by the Dominions in the way of grant or subsidy. “THEATRE MONOPOLIES.” Dr. Thacker (Christchurch East) has asked the Minister of Internal Affairs “whether he has decided what he is going to do about the theatre monopolies of the Dominion.” The member .dates that theatres in important centres are held vacant if they cannot get their “monopoly prices.” Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton) is asking the Minister of Justice: (1) Whether, as there is apparently nothing in the Justices of the Peace Act which would prevent womeri being appointed Justices of the Peace, the Government will follow the example of England, Australia and elsewhere by making appointments of suitable women; (2) whether, if there is a legal impediment which prevents women being appointed Justices of the Peace he will state what the legal difficulty is, and whether he will introduce legislation to have it removed.”