PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 January 1922, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

YESTERDAY’S BUSINESS.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS.

By Telegraph—Press Association.

Wellington, Last Night. The House of Representatives met at £3O p.m. Replying to Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton), Mr. Massey said he did not think he would be able to give an opportunity to discuss the Proportional Representation Bill this session, but he would take the matter into consideration.

Replying to Mr. T. K. Sidey (Dunedin South), Mr. Massey said he was not able to say whether or not the Government would go on with the Main Highways Bill and the Motor Vehicles BiR this session. It had not been decided whether or not Parliament should continue the sitting for a montji, but as soon as a decision was reached he would let the House know.

Replying to the Hon. J. A. Hanan (Invercargill), Mr. Massey said amalgamation of the public departments was under consideration, but all details were not yet complete. It was proposed to combine the two coal departments, the land purchase department to be joined to the land department, and the fire insurance departments to be brought under one head. It was not yet definitely decided whether the tourist and railway departments would be amalgamated. Replying to Mr. McCombs, Mr. Parr said he was having inquiries made as to the treatment of T.B. soldiers at the Pukeora Sanatorium. He had noticed adverse comment in the Press, and he could assure the House it was the desire of the Public Health Department to do everything possible to make these men happy and contented. HOURS IN SHOPS.

The Hon. G. J. Anderson moved that the House disagree with the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Shops and Offices Bill, and Mr. J. 8. Dickson (Parnell), Mr. Sidey, and the mover were appointed managers to confer with the Council.

The House took special exception to the amendment which increased the hours of employees in or about hotels and restaurants from nine to ten. LEGITIMATION fcILL.

The Hon. W. D. Stewart moved the secona reading of the Legitimation Amendment Bill, which he said extended the privileges of the Act of 1908. He explained that many cases of hardship were known to exist, and this amendment was intended to meet these cases. The Minister promised to give consideration to several points raised during the discussion, and the Bill was read a .second time on the voices. MINISTERS’ REPLIES. Replying to questions Ministers stated:— That it was impossible during the present session to make an amendment of the valuation of Land Act, 1908, making alterations in the valuation rolls date back to the date when the valuation objected to was entered on the roll. That the Government does not think the Canadian sales tax could be applied in New Zealand. That no amendment of the licensing laws was proposed to be made this session. That no reduction in telegram rates could be made at present. z