PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1921, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES YESTERDAY’S SITTING. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The House of Representatives met at 2.20 p.m. Replying to Mr. H. Poland (Ohinemuri), the Hon. W. Nosworthy said that the charges in connection with the health resorts of the Dominion had not been revised since 1903 until he recently obtained the consent of Cabinet to do so. The time for econoiny had come, and the Government could not continue carrying on these resorts at a heavy loss. Replying to Mr. G. Witty (Riccarton), Mr. Massey said he was sorry to eay that so far no settlement had been arrived at in connection with the wool difficulty. He, however, hoped that within the next few days a settlement would be reached. Replying to Mr. Poland, Mr. Massey said he had noticed the frequency with which pedestrians were being run over by motorists. What was happening was not only A breach of the law, but a breach o-f the borough by-laws. That, however, did not seem to be enough, and he would consult with his colleagues before the session came to an end with a view to seeing what could be done to check the danger. Personally he thought the penalties would have to be increased, but in any case what was happening ought to be put a stop to. Replying to Dr. H. T. Thacker (Christchurch East), the Hon. E. P. Lee said he would ask the police to watch for the present practise of owners permitting children to drive motor cars, such a practise being dangerous to other traveller/.

Replying to Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton), the Hon. E. P. Lee said he would look into the practise of tobacconists charging the newly-imposed duty on tobacco which had not paid that duty. He., however, thought the decision of the Supreme Court regarding replacement value might prevent anything being done to check the practise. Mr. Massey gave notice that he would move that on and after Monday next the House should meet for the transaction of Government business at 7.30 p.m. On the motion of the Premier it was agreed that on and after Wednesday next Government business takes precedence. On the motion of Mr. f*. Fraser (Wellington Central), the Shops and Offices Amendment Bill was introduced and read a first time.

A; REPORT HELD UI. On th,e Hon. D. H. Guthrie bringing down a report on soldier settlements, Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition) and other members, asked for information regarding these settlements, and as a protest against the Parliamentary practice of Ministers bringing down reports before member' had an opportunity of seeing them Dr. Thacker moved an amendment to the motion that the papey be laid on the table and that the deflate be adjourned. Mr. Wilford seconded the amendment. He said for years he had considered that members should have an opportunity of seeing reports before they dis* cuss them. Mr. L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North) said that during the period of the National Government there was a feeling that these party tactics should be dropped. This was an opportunity for Government members to be magnanimous and not vote on party lines. Sir William Herries said that if the amendment was carried it meant that the paper would not be laid on the table. and members would deprive themselves of the opportunity of seeing the paper and getting information they want. The Government supporters would vote against the amendment, because they wanted information which the paper contained. Mr. H. E. Holland (Leader of the Labor Party) said he always protested against the existing practice. Either members should not be allowed to debate papers on the motion that they be laid on the table, or they should see a paper before it was laid on the table. The Premier said he could not understand the tactics of the Opposition. The paper contained more information regarding soldiers’ settlements than he pad ever seen brought together, and he wanted to know what the opponents of the Government thought they were going to gain by delaying it being laid on the table. The paper would certainly not come before the House again until he was satisfied it would be received as a Parliamentary paper ought to be received. On a division the amendment was lost by 34 votes to 26. The Mortgages and Deposits Extension Bill (the Hon. W. D. Stewart) was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The House rose at 12.18 a.m. until 2.30