PARLIAMENTARY

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 1036, 17 August 1911, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, j (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Last Night. The House met at 2.30 p.m. GUARDIAN TRUST BILL. The Guardian Trust and Executors Company Amendment ltfil was read a third time and passed. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, Ministers ! stated that the reports upon the claims J of old soldiers, heard by magistrates, I were now being compiled, and it was • hoped to have them Teady at aai early j date, when the Government will consider how best to give effect to them ; a vigorous policy of afforestation is be- j ing pursued, and a great extension of tree-planting operations i 3 contemplated; the Government was carefully observing the results of the State note issue in the Commonwealth; the demand for cordite and small arms at present are to small to warrant the heavy initial expense for plant, etc.; the question of establishing a State clothing factory will be considered; the whole question concerning the employment of shunters is at present engaging Ministers' attention; the basis on which the railways ruperannuation fund was established will not permit of the benefits of the fund being further extended, the proposal to allow persons to continue their contributions to the superannuation fund after their retirement from the service could not be entertained; the Government is not prepared to hand over to / three irresponsible men (two of whom are railway employees) the administration of the railway's, which is the largest of the State Departments; the freight on imported .timbers could not be reduced ; the question of pay of railway men was now engaging the Minister's attention; an actuary is at present engaged on an examination of the Public Revenue Superannuation Fund, and it is cxpeoted to have the . report ready next month ; tho educational syllabus is now under considers tion, and re-arrangement will follow, generally on the lines suggested at the last conference of Inspectors; it is not intended to make any money grant to members of Rifle Clubs from New Zealand who desire to attend the New South Wales meeting; it is not at preto remove the preferential duty from the plant and machinery required for boring for petroleum; a revision of the tariff for the purpose of equalising the tariff between Australia and New Zealand on agricultural -produce is not to be dealt with this session, but the question of adjustment will be considered with a view to entering into negotiations with the • Commonwealth Government during j the recess; the proposal to transfer to local bodies in'whose districts unoccupied Crown lands are situated, such lands as are inalienable endowments could mot be entertained; the question of extending the guarantee of Id per pound to next season's, shipment -of a-pples is under consideration. . CORONATION INVITATIONS. • Mr Herdman moved for a return of all correspondence relating to the invitation of members of Parliament to the Coronation. He said the whole matter was shrouded in mystery. Probably, as someone had stated, Sir Joseph Wa rd wished to be the only pebble on the beach. The Hon. J. A. Millar said there was no one in the House who could hand tho correspondence over. A portion of it was confidential. He was sure the whole matter would be properly cleared up. Publicity was given to till© correspondence when it was received. He was responsible for the invitations not being forwarded to members of the Legislative Council, because he thought it an insult to members to offer to pay their expenses. Further, it was an insult to the couni try. There was a condition that, though hospitality would be extended ixr members there was nothing to show that the same would be extended to their wives and da.ughters. The invitations did not Come from the Home Government, but from a Committee. This country should have paid the cost of sending members Home. As far as the Government was concerned, on Sir Joseph Ward's return the whole correspondence in connection with the invitations would be placed before the House. 1 Mr Massey said if the correspondence was to be laid on-the table, Ministers should vote for Mr Herdman's motion. He did not agree with Mr Millar's attitude in connection with the invitations to the Legislative Council. Messrs Arnold, Hanan, Hogan and Forbes desired the fullest information on the matter. The debate was adjourned.