PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 September 1922, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

YESTERDAY’S SITTING. the legislative council. DEATHS FROM ANAESTHETICS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Insurance Companies Deposit Bill was read a first time and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The following local Bills were passed: Wairau Harbor Board Empowering Bill; Gisborne Harbor Board Enabling Amendment Bill; Whakatane Harbor Amendment Bill; Wairau River District Loan Bill. In reply to the Hon. G. J. Garland, the Leader of the Council stated that the data used by Dr. Pitts in reference to deaths from anaesthetics had been compiled by the Health Department. The medical officers of the department were closely following the position, but as yet they were unable to draw deductions from the figures. At the end of this year a comprehensive report would be issued. The Council adjourned at 4.30 p.m. till Wednesday.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COST OF LEAGUE OF NATIONS. PLAN TO HELP MINISTERS. Sir John Luke (Wellington North) gave notice to ask if the Government intended to take steps to secure a revision of the amount to be charged to New Zealand as its share of the expenses of the League of Nations. He pointed out that the proposed allocation was out of proportion with those of other parts of the British Empire when regarded from a population standpoint. Mr. R. McCallum asked if the Government would, in view of the great increase in work devolving upon Ministers, consider the appointment of Parliamentary secretaries, as was the practice in England. At least four Ministers were so overburdened that such assistance should be afforded. It need not involve additional expenditure, as he felt sure sufficient members of Parliament would be ready to undertake minor Ministerial duties without an honorarium, since they would thereby . acquire valuable experience.

The Prime Minister replied that he was not prepared to give a definite opinion on the subject at the moment, but the suggestion was certainly worthy of considera-

The Hon. G. J. Anderson informed Sir G. Hunter (Waipawa) that the Meteorological Department’s daily weather forecasts, which were curtailed some time ago in the interests of economy, had now been restored in all country centres to which they were formerly sent. The department recognised the value of such forecasts to farmers, and he believed the position was now satisfactory to all concerned. Replying to Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Avon), i the Prime Minister said public servants deI siring to become candidates for Parliament i would have to obtain leave from the head ■of the department. There was. no intention that superannuation rights should be affected if a candidate, in not being suc- * cessful at the election, resumed his position in his department. Legislation was being prepared which would deal with the matter. It was also necessary to safeguard the positron of any department io which public servants were engaged in work of a confidential nature which should not be divulged. The Minister of Education informed Mr. J. A. Nash (Palmerston North) that, in order to clear up a misunderstanding, the department had decided to allocate a definite number of scholarships to lower-grade country schools. Notice was given by the Leader of the Opposition to ask if the Government will introduce legislation this session empower- ■ ing a Judge in chambers, on the application i of a trustee of a mortgagee (not mortgagor). ex parte, to modify or vary the terms of a mortgage or the interest thereon. THE ESTIMATES. Consideration of the Estimates was then proceeded with in Committee of Supply. The item -public buildings, domains, maintenance of roads and irrigation works (£168,444) led to a brief discussion on the subject of public buildings. The vote was passed. The committee then proceeded to discuss the vote for the Native Department (£20,9451, which was passed. Native land settlement account (£5733) and the native trustee account (£1365) were passed without discussion. Justice (£209,742), Crown Law Office (£5927), Police Department (£403,560), Mines Department (£35,000), Labor Department (£35,672) were all passed without discussion. The House rose at 10.40 a.m. till 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday.