PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1922, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

YETERDAY’S SITTING. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. PROGRESS Off BILLS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Fireblight Bill, the Auckland City anti Auckland Hospital Board Empowering Bill and the Invercargill Corporation Empowering Bill were reported without amendment. The State Fire Insurance Amendment Bill, the Post and Telegraph Amendment Bill and the Coal Mines Amendment Bill were read a second time pro forma and referred to committees. The Juries Amendment Bill, providing for majority verdicts, was passed without amendment. The Hauraki Plains Amendment Bill and the Canterbury College and Canter- • bury Agricultural College Amendment Bill were read a second time. The Council rose at 2.45 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. MAIN HIGHWAYS BILL. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Dr. H. T. Thacker (Christchurch East), Mr. Massey said that in all probability the Main Highways Bill would be introduced this session, and, if possible, passed. He hoped to see it brought down within the next few days. In reply to Mr. W. T. Jennings (Waitomo), the Hon. G. J. Anderson said it was not true that instructions had been issued by his department to the effect that immigrants should receive preference in Government employment over New Zealanders. The Hon. W. Nosworthy, speaking as Minister of Agriculture, said he did not now think there was going to be as large a surplus of wheat in the Dominion as he formerly had been led to believe. Replying to Mr. T. Seddon (Westland), the Hon. G. J. Anderson said he was willing to subsidise a scheme for prospecting the country behind Hokitika to the extent of £2 for £l. The Government offer was a liberal one, but. he thought local people should do something to assist. Sir R. H. Rhodes (Minister of Defence) informed Mr. D. Jones (Kaiapoi) that the Government had not yet decided to compensate storekeepers who held stocks of revolvers, the sale of which was interfered with by the Arms Act. but he would ask Cabinet to consider the pointA LEGAL MEASURE. The Judicature Amendment Bill No. 2 was introduced by Governor’s message and read a first time. The Hon. E. P. Lee explained that at the request of the Judges^provision was being made for two Judges sitting on the Court of Appeal, and provision was also made for adding the time served bn the Bench by a temporary Judge to his service on which,he was entitled to superannuation when he received permanent appointment. He thought it better to make these changes in the new Bill. At 2 a.m. the House was still sitting.