PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1922, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

YESTERDAY’S SITTING. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. PROGRESS OF BILLS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Hon. G. M. Thompson gave notice of his intention to introduce the Animals Protection Amendment Bill. The Defence Amendment Bill and Land Drainage Amendment Bill were both read a second time pro forma and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The Land Tax (annual) Bill was received from the lower House. - Standing orders were suspended and the Bill put through all stages and passed without amendment. The Local Bodies Loans Amendment Bill was committed, and the amendments made by the Statutes Revision Committee agreed to. Sir William Fraser stated that the Government intended to fix the amounts that might be raised by individual local bodies for the relief of unemployment. The Bill was read a third time and passed. The Council adjourned at 3.35

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CIVIL* SERVANTS’ RIGHTS. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Mr. H. E. Holland presented a petition from members of the Post and Telegraph Association praying for redress. In reply to Mr. Holland, Mr., Massey said that some two years ago he had naesed through the House a Bill conferring full civil and political rights on members of the public service. Unfortunately, that Bill was not passed by the Legislative Council. He had given instructions some time ago to have a similar Bill .prepared, and, if opportunity offered, he would again ask the House to pass it.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie informed Mr. Statham that there was absolutely no truth in the statement that the district railway traffic manager for Otago had been appointed the railway commercial adviser for the South Island. No appointments had yet been made, but as soon as they were made he would make them public. In reply to Mr. G. Witty, Mr. Massey said the main electoral rolls were now being printed and would be available at an early date. Replying to Mr. H. E. Holland. Mr Massey said he would give the House full opportunity to discuss Sir John Salmond’s report on the Washington Conference after it had been laid on the table. Mr. Massey informed Mr. R. A. Wright that there would be a Bill this session amending the amusement tax. when some consideration might be given to those societies which admittedly did not give entertainments for profit. Replying to Mr. V. H. Potter, Mr. Massey said he would instruct the department concerned to take precautions to prevent the introduction of the Borneo borer into the Dominion. In reply to Mr. R. A. Wright, the Hon. W. D. Stewart said the reciprocal customs treaty with Australia had not yet passed Parliament in either country, but as soon as it had passed, it was only a matter of fixing a date convenient to both countries on which it would come into operation. < On the motion of the Hon. W. D. Stewart, the amendments made bv the Legislative Council in the Local Bodies Amendment Bill were agreed to. COAL MINES BILL. The coal Mines Amendment Bill was - introduced by Governor’s message. The Hon. G. J. Anderson explained that the measure consisted entirely of amendments suggested by the department for the better workine of the Act. The evening sitting was devoted to the Financial Statement.