PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 October 1921, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES APPROPRIATION MEASURE. EXCEEDS THREE MILLIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Mr. J. Edie (Bruce), the Hon. W. Nosworthy said he was not yet certain whether the Noxious Weeds Bill would be introduced this session. Much would depend upon the progress of the business before the House. Replying to Mr. E. Kellett (Dunedin North), the Hon. W. Nosworthy said every possible step was being taken to prevent the spread of fireblight from the North to the South Island. Mr. R. McCallum (Wairau), gave notice of his intention to introduce the State Control of Licenses Bill. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time: Rabbit Nuisance Amendment Bill (Hon. W. Nosworthy), Betterment Bill (Mr. McCallum). The Imprest Supply Bill was introduced by Governor-General’s message. On a motion to go into committee of supply to consider the BiU a discussion ensued on the* marketing of New Zealand produce (reported in another column). . Mr R. Masters (Stratford) criticised the Minister of Education for the reduction of organising teachers throughout the Dominion. Any country that had to practice economy by retrenching in education of the back-block children would be m a desperate state indeed. The Hon. C. J. Parr repudiated any idea of retrenching in back-block education. The taeching of children in isolated families was now being conducted by a system of correspondence, which, the Director of Education reported, was giving satisfaction. , , Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton) contended that a reduction in wages’ was not the remedy for the financial depression, because while the increase in the cost of living had risen by about 85 per cent, wages had risen only about 60 per cent. Until there was a reduction in the cost of living no reduction in wages could take place. Mr. W. A. Veitch (Wanganui) criticised a circular issued by the Acting Minister of Railways during the absence of the Premier, in which he lamented that expenditure had over-reached revenue, and therefore retrenchment must take placfe. The facts on which this decision was oorafP to were misleading, because expenditure increased largely because the department had been compelled to -purchase quantities of material,’coal, etc., which could not be procured during the war years. Mr. H. E. Holland (Leader of the Labor Party) combated the contention that wages should be reduced in New Zealand. He explained that the Labor Party was not hostile to immigration, provided there was work and homes for immigrants when tlfty come. Mr. G. Mitchell (Wellington South) contended that the remedy for the hard times was, not to reduce wages, but to increase the efficiency of labor. We had all gone slow, and what was needed was that we should all put a shoulder to the wheel and work harder. The shortening of hours and s the lessening of effort was the road to ruination.

Mr. S. G. Smith (Taranaki) dealt with the proposed reduction in the number of organising teachers. The House, then went into committee of supply, and the Bill was introduced, read a first time, and put through all stages. The amount appropriated by the measure is £3,835,255, the Premier explaining that there had been very heavy expenditure this month, and there would be further heavy expenditure next month, particularly for railway material. Consequently the amount included some £700,000 to £BOO,OOO more than usual. The House rose at 12.12 a.m.

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. RACING DEBATE DEFERRED. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 pm. The Order-in-Council covering the recommendations of the Racing Commission was laid on the table. Sir Francis Bell expressed the hope that the Council would not express an opinion until the House had fully considered the matter. Tie Law Practitioners Amendment Bill was committed, read a. third time and passed. The Council rose at 2.43 p.m.