PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 August 1922, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ALIEN ENEMY SUBJECTS. DUTIES OF POWER BOARDS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Mr. T. Seddon (Westland), the Hon. W. D. Stewart said he had under consideration a series of recommendations which he proposed to put before Cabinet dealing with the position of alien enemy subjects under the war regulations, with a view to removing injustices. Replying to Mr. J. Craigie (Timaru), the Hon. J. G. Coates said the Electric Power Boards Act was on its trial, and he did not propose to make any alterations to it until aftwr a conference of power boards, which was to be held in Wellington shortly. The function of these boards was purely to arrange for the reticulation and sale of electric power, and there was no reason why they should interfere with the functions of other local bodies. The Hon. Sir R. H. Rhodes informed Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition) that, aeroplanes made gifts to New Zealand by the Imperial authorities were still on loan to three companies trading in New Zealand. The Painters’ Health Protection Bill (Mr. W. A. Veitch, Wanganui) was introduced and read a first time.

The annual report of the Agricultural Department, was tabled by the Minister, the unfinished discussion occupying the whole of the remainder of th® afternoon sitting. Several members took advantage of the opportunity to advocate the establishment of an agricultural college in their respective districts.

The opening of the debate on the Financial Statement occupied the evening sitting, and the House rose at 9.30 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. to-day.