PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1922, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. AGRICULTURAL BANKS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Mr. G. Witty (Riecarton), the Hon. VV. Nosworthy said he understood there was a good deal of Danish cocksfoot seed coming into New Zealand, and he presumed this was because there was a demand for it. He would look into it and inquire whether this importation was justified. Replying to Mr. W. S. Glenn (Rangitikeij, the Hon. W. D. Stewart said he would consider the question of widening the law dealing with disposing of works of art by art unions. In reply to Mr. T. Seddon (Westland),, the Hon. Sir R. H. Rhodes said the report of the Pensions Commission was now before Cabinet and would probably be available in a few days.

Replying to Mr. R. P. Hudson (Motueka), Mr. Massey said he agreed that wherever possible returned soldiers should he appointed as returning officers at the general election, and he would give instructions to that effect. Replying to the Hon. J. A. Hanan (Invercargill), Mr. Massey said at present there were about 31)00 applications for permanent employment in the Railway Department, of whom 2850 were asking for employment in the second division. To these about a thousand would have to be added as applicants for casual employment. In departments under the Public Service Commissioners there were about 2200 applicants for employment. Tn reply to Mr. G. Mitchell (Wellington South), Mr. Massey said he understood that every application which Game about under the hardship clause in the Public Expenditure Adjustment Act had been dealt with by tho committee of investigation.

Replying to Mr. H. E. Holland (Leader of the Labor Party), the Hon. G. J. Anderson said the Minos Department was not prepared to pay any subsidy for coal prospecting, as it was not necessary.

Mr. Massey said he proposed to introduce the Rural Credits Association Bill.

In reply to Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition), he said it was the Agricultural Bank Bill under a more appropriate name. Replying to Mr. Holland, the Hon. J. G. Coates said ho was not inclined to put men employed on relief works on the same plane as permanent employees of the Public Works Department so far ns holidays were concerned. He did not think relief workers should be paid for Labor Day if they did not work.

“WASHING-UP” BILL. Further amendments to the “Wash-ing-Up” Bill were introduced by Governor’s message. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie stated that this 1 was the third instalment, and there would be another. PUBLIC WORKS. The House then went into committee on the Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Bill. On clause three, authorising the borrowing of £4,000,000, Mr. R. McCallum (Wairau) moved « reduction of the amount by £1,000.000 as a protest against what he called a scatter cash policy. This was lost on the voices, and the Bill was reported without amendment. Later the Bill was passed. ARBITRATION BILL. After a brief debate the second reading of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill was agreed to and ordered to go into committee next sitting day.

The House rose at 12.10 a.m. till 2.30 p.m.

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. PROGRESS OF BILLS. The Legislative Council met at 2 p.m., and after transacting some business resumed at 8 p.m. The Cemeteries Amendment Bill was taken in committee. Several members suggested that sub-clause (1) of clause 2 went further than was intended, and might give trustees the right to close a cemetery. The following clause was substituted: “The trustees of a cemetery may make regulations prohibiting the interment of more than one body, and prescribing conditions subject to which more than one body may be interred in one grave.” The Bill was passed as amended. The Crimes Amendment Bill was passed. The Government Railways Amendment Bill and the Fencing Amendment Bill were passed through all stages without amendment. The Council adjourned at 9.15 p.m.