PARLIAMENT YESTERDAY

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3993, 28 July 1915, Page 6

PARLIAMENT YESTERDAY

THE HOUSE. (Press Association Telegram.) WELLINGTON, July 27. Tho House met at 2.130 p.m.i Leave was granted Mr Myers to withdraw the Shops and Offices Amendment Bill. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time :< Springs County Council Reclamation and Empowering Bill (Mr Rhodes), Lyttelton Borough Council Extension (Mr McCombs). The Minister for Defence road a report from Lieut.-ColonoL Essen as to the provision made for sick and wounded in Egypt. Sir Joseph Ward suggested that the •Government might .provide a sum to assist troopers who found themselves in difficulties in Egypt. In reply, the Minister said lie would be pleased to confer with Sir Joseph. Ward on the matter of providing homos for men who were in difficulties.

An Imprest Supply 'Bill providing for £903,000' was introduced by Governor’s message. On the motion to go into committee of ways and means, Mr Payne urged the necessity for decreasing the cost of living, and suggested that the Government should provide a lino of steamers to carry coal from the State coalmines to the various ports of the Dominion. Ho stated that a saving of 35 per cent, might be effected. Ho also suggested a course by which tiie cost of mutton and butter might be cheapened to tho consumer. Mr Walker advocated putting into effect .Professor Prince’s report on the fisheries with a view to providing people with a supply of cheap lisli. Mr Webb 'urged the appointment of a Royal Commission to investigate eases'of alleged victimisation on the waterfronts of tho Dominion, and also a commission to consider the working of the State coal mines. Mr Wilford said that unless the cost of’ living was decreased wages must increase. The wage earners had given more in .proportion to their incomes to the mtriotie funds than any other class in the community. Men who had derived large increases for their produce owing to the war had not contributed anything to the war funds. The purchasing power of the sovereign, as at last August, did not now equal fifteen shillings. lie urged the Government not to wait for Royal Commissions,_ but to do something at once- to reduce the cost of living. Mr Hamm followed in similar strain and urged that a day should he set apart to discuss the question and so show their constituents that they realised their responsibilities in this matter. The Bill was put through all stages. The Cook Islands Bill was read a third time and passed. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7-30, - and went into committee to consider proposed amendments in the War Pensions Bill. Sir Joseph Ward asked the Minister for Defence if anything could be done in the direction of issuing a war souvenir medal. These distinctions should be issued to fathers and mothers and possibly sisters of men who had lost their lives in the war. Mr Allen said he had matters already under consideration. Pit' would make inquiries in the Home country and do what he could. Considerable discussion took place upon Sub-Section A (defining dependents). It includes tne wife of members of the forces at the time of death or disablement, but does not include a woman who'may marry a member of tile forces after the date oi his disablement. Sir Joseph Ward argued that this was unfair to a woman who had children by a soldier, but_ who was not married to him until alter he had returned disabled. several ocner speakers supported this view. Mr Allen said that at the request of the committee, he had enlarged the scone of the measure. He urged the House not to make the doors too wide. After further debate, at the .suggestion of Sir Joseph Y\ aid, the Minister agreed to report progress on the amendments with a view to referring the whole of them to the Secret Defence Committee for consideration and report. The Expiring Laws Continuance Bill was read a second time without debate. The Second Land Amendment Bill was considered in committee and reported to the House without amendment, the third reading being fixed for next sitting day. The House adjourned at 9.10 p.m.