PARLIAMENT RESUMES.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 January 1922, Page 5

PARLIAMENT RESUMES.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IMPORTANT WORK AHEAD. PREMIER OUTLINES PROGRAMME. By Telegraph.—l’ress Association. Wellington, Last Night. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. to-day to resume the session interrupted "by the Christmas vacation. Replying to Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition), who asked what the order of business would be for the remainder of the session, Mr. Massey said the Bill generally known as the “Washing Up” Bill would come down to-day by Governor’s message. He understood the Bill was the biggest on record, and he thought all the clauses were not in the Bill even now. There would be a Bill by the Minister for Public Health, and there were several Bills now before committee which would have to be dealt with.

Next week, added Mr. Massey, he hoped to bring down the Government’s retrenchment proposal’s. For some time they had been giving effect to economies, but there were some points upon which legislation would be required. Many of the estimates would also have to be finished, which would probably take another two sittings. There would also be the Public Works Statement and the estimates, which would certainly take a day to discuss. After that there would be an appropriation measure.

There would also be another Finance Bill. There was nothing startling in it, but it would have to be put through. Replying to a question, Mr. Massey said this Bill did not deal with the proposed meat pool, some of the details of which might have to be supported by legislation. The House, would probably be asked to sit on Mondays for the remainder of the session, but he would make an official statement on the Government’s proposals in the course of a few days.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. • Replying to Mr. G. Witty (Riccarton). the Hon. D. H. Guthrie said it was not a fact that over 5000 returned soldiers had' made applications for land and only 1087 supplied with, land. It always happened that the applications were duplicated many times over, and so the number of applicants looked-greater’in the total than was really the case. The discrepancy between the number of applicants and those supplied was sometimes made greater not by any action of the Government, but by the action of land boards in turning applicants down .as unfit.

Replying to Mr. W. T. Jennings (Waitomo), the Hon. C. J. Parr said he was not aware of any proposal to restrict the privileges of pupils who travel in the railways free to attend high or technical schools.

Replying to Mr. E. Kellett (Dunedin North), the Hon. D. H. Guthrie said the care of injured on the railways was provided for. Hie was not aware that there was a shortage of stretchers, but he would look into that point.

Replying to Mr. Jennings, Mr. Massey said he understood the negotiations for reciprocity with Australia were proceeding, but he was not yet able to report any finality in the matter. Replying to Mr. H. E. Holland (Buller), the Hon. E. P. Lee said he would ask the Board of Trade to look into the question of the price miners have to .pay for explosives. Replying to Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central), Mr. Massey said the Government had the question of unemployment in hand, and when the proposals were made public he thought they would be foud to be satisfactory.

Replying to Mr. Holland, the Hon. W. D. Stewart said he referred some of the proposed economies in connection with fire brigades back to Cabinet for review. He understood brigades had entered into certain obligations which could not be met if the full economies were carried out, and he did not wish to nut a brigade in that position. The Hon. C. J. Parr gave notice of his intention to introduce the Dentists Amendment Bill.

PROTECTION OF ANIMALS. The House then went into committee on the Animals Protection and Game Bill. x a Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton) contended that clause ten created a special privilege and class distinction for the land owner. This view was strongly supported by several members, but the clause was passed unamended. Mr. C. (E. Statham (Dunedin Central) made an effort to give the Minister power to prohibit live pigeon shooting matches, on the ground that it inflicted unnecessary cruelty.

Mr. Wilford defended this form of sport, on the ground that it was less cruel than many other forms of sport, and he quoted Mr. Justice Chapman in support of this view. The Statutes Revision Committee carefully considered the whole question after hearing evidence and decided that pigeon shooting should be regulated, but not prohibited. On a division Mr. Statham’s amendment to give effect to his view was defeated by 33 votes to 21. The Bill was then reported with formal amendments moved by the Minister. , . , .. j The Bill was read a third time ana passed. “WASHING UP” BILL. The “Washing Up” Bill was introduced bv Governor’s message. Tn reply to a question by Mr. Wilford the Hon. G. J. Anderson (Minister for Labor) said the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill to be introduced next week would provide for the continuance of the provision of the Housing Bill covering rents and tenancies. The Bill was referred to the Lands Committee and the House rose at 9.45 p.m.