HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 48, 5 September 1928, Page 11

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tho House of Representatives mot at 2.30 p.m. Mr. M. J. Savage (Auckland West) drew attention to the fact that a number of apprentices in Auckland had been dismissed by their former employers who had gone out of business, and asked the Minister of Labour if he would have inquiries niado with a view to bringing in amending legislation to protect apprentices who had already served portion of their time. ISSUE OF BONDS. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. H. E. Holland) asked tho Minister of Finance, whether ho has seen a cabled statement in the Press to tho effect that the £5,000,000 4$ per cent, bonds issued at £94 10s in May have appreciated in price to £97 10s, representing an increase of £150,000 on the price of issue; and whether he does not consider this fact to constitute proof that the price of issue was altogether too low? The Hon. W. Downio Stewart replied: "The market quotation of £97 10s for the last London issue of Now Zealand stock included about 19s accrued interest, which must bo deducted from tho premium for comparative purposes. Secondly, this quotation was made at the ond of August, whereas the New Zealand ■• London loan was raised _on 2nd May, when quotations for similar stock were lower. •In any case, while market quotations are an indication of the price at which parcels of stock can bo purchased on the Stock Exchange, it does not necessarily or usually mean that £5,000,000 can be obtained at that price. Comparisons with other States are generally invidious, but it may be mentioned that in March a 5 per cent, loan issued by the Commonwealth of Australia at . 9S, which would return to investors, £5 3s 3& in twenty years, was largely left in the hands of tho underwriters. In April, a few days before New Zealand came on tho market, Western Australia floated a loan also at tho above price, •which was fully subscribed, but as far as I know was not greatly oversubscribed. Our 4.1 per cent, loan at £94 10s returned investors only £4 19s Bd, anil reports in some financial newspapers indicate that the response greatly exceeded the expectations of the market generally. Further, the success of our loan had the effect of hardening the prico of other stocks. Even so, a further loan by the Commonwealth in July on tho same terms as the provious one, i.e., 5 per cent, at 9S, was also left largely in the hands of the underwriters. The facts referred to by the honourable tho Leader of the Opposition are no indication that the issue-price of the Now Zealand loan yras too low." OTAKI HOSPITAL ADDITIONS. Mr. W. H. Field (Otaki) asked the Minister of Health—(l) Whether the contract has been signed for the alterations and additions to tho Otaki Hospital? (2) Whether the people of tho Otaki district can now rely on their hospital, with eleven beds for ordinary patients and four for maternity cases, being fully equipped and brought up to date and conducted as a district or cottage hospitai, and that the ordinary beds shall be fully used for treatment of less serious cases of illness and accident, tho more serious cases going to the central hospital at Palmerston North? Tho Hon. J. A. Ydung replied: A tender has been accepted for tho additions to the Otaki Hospital. The hospital will contain eleven general and four maternity beds, and will be administered by the Palmerston North Hospital Board, in accordance with the intention of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act. I can assure the honourable member that the hospital will be utilised on lines sot out in his question. SUBSIDIES FOR MAIN HIGHWAYS. Mr. A. Bell (Bay of Islands) asked the Minister of Public Works whether he will considor an amendment of the Main Highways Act so that interest on loan moneys spent on main roads between 1917 and 1924, and which arc now declared main highways, bo calculated in making up maintenance estimates or charges; and bo subsidised on the same basis as ordinary maintenance, and that, tho sinking fund accounts be subsidised annually on the basis of £1 for £1. The Hon. K. 8. Williams replied: ''The Government is unable to consider an amendment on the lines indicated by the honourable member."' ACCIDENTS TO RELIEF WORKERS. Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Avon) asked the Hinister of Public Works whether he will give instructions that on all occasions when accidents are met with by employees of the Department, whether relief works or otherwise, that tho nearest relatives shall bo immediately informed. The Hon. K. S. Williams replied: "In all cases of serious accidents the nearest relative of tho injured man is always immediately notified by tho Department. It hardly seems necessary for the Department to advise the relatives in cases of minor accidents only, unless, of course, the workman is unable to do so himself." Mr. J. E. Hamilton (Awarua) asked tho Minister of Public Works whether ho can state whether county councils can only look for the S3 to ill subsidy to roads adjacent to boroughs if they aro prepared to tar-seal or tar-macadam such roads. Mr. Williama replied: "Tho £3 for £1 subsidy on roads adjacent to boroughs is payable on bituminous or cement-concrete roads, or any other typo of superior paving approved by the board." MOTOR REFLECTORS. Mr. Hamilton also asked the Minister of Public Works wlit'thcr he will take the necessary stups to withdraw the regulations requiring rid reflectors to be carried on motor-ears. Mr. Williams replied: "The question of reflectors is at present receiving the consideration of the Government. Tho motor regulations, including the one referred to by the honour;!bio member, Were submitted to all the principal putomobile associations, and were fully

considered and discussed by them before they were passed." The Dangerous Drugs Amendment Bill was introduced and read a first time. LOCAL BILLS. The. Local Bills Coinmitteo reported tho Johnsonvillo and Makara Gas Supply Bill with amendments. The same Committee reported upon tho Wellington City Empowering Bill and recommended that it bo not allowed to proceed on account of non-eon-pliance with a formality in respect to publicity. Mr. E. M'Keen (Wellington South) moved that the report should be referred back to the Committee. He understood the chairman of the Committee (Sir George Hunter) was not averse to that course. Sir Georgo Hunter said there was considerable opposition to the Bill, and the Committee preferred to leave it to the House whether it should be reconsidered by the Committee in order to give the opponents of the measure an opportunity of stating their views. The amendment was agreed to on the voices, and the report was referred batk to the Committee. CASE OF AN IMMIGRANT. Mr. J. C. Eolloston (Waitomo) asked tho Prime Minister whether liis attention had been drawn to the cablegram in yesterday's '"Post" containing an extract published in the "Daily Herald," London, with reference to the death of a man named Dominic Nolan at Otaika, and stating that hundreds of starving men were walking about the roads-in New Zealand. Mr. Eolleston suggested that means should be adopted to prevent irresponsible individuals making false statements which would prejudicially affect thecredit of the Dominion, and that of the district from which they emanated. Mr. Coates replied that Nolan arrived in Wellington on 12th March, 1925, but ho was not an assisted immigrant. Notwithstanding this he was met by the Immigration Officers, offered assistance, advice, and work. He decided, however, to fend for himself, and proceeded, to the North Auckland district. Nothing further was hoard of him until October, 1926, at which date he secured employment with Mr. N. S. Nathan, farmer, Maromaku, where he remained until March, 1928. At this farm he was housed, fed, and paid well, and was never asked to work if he did not feel like it, and pleased himself at most times as to when ho left off. When he finally left this job ho had a plentiful supply of clothes, and drew the balance of wages due, £S 10s. He then went to work for 'Mr. Wallace,- farmer, at Towai, and left there on 26th April, 1928, drawing £1 12s 6d, balance of wages duo. It was known that he then proceeded to Whangarei, sponding his money, and that he evidently wandered a couplo of miles out of the town, and lay down in the scrub alongside tho road and died. With reference to tho statornent imputed in tho cablegram to the secretary of the Waitomo Labour Party, Mr. Coates said it would be advisable for Labour secretaries, before circulating damaging reports, concerning tho Dominion, to obtain the true facts. Tho Leader of the Opposition (Mr. H. E. Holland): "It is not denied that his letter was found.'.' Mr. Contes said he hud further information, but ho did not think it advisable to give it. The man had ■been arrested and convicted at Whangarei. Ho had also been an inmate of Whangarei Hospital for five weeks suffering from heart trouble. That was during the time ho had been employed by Mr. Mason. Mr. Holland: "Tho letter tho man himself left was sent to the "Daily Herald.' " Mr. Coates: "I'or every letter of complaint we have a number " Mr. Holland:."Was it not this man's own letter that was sent to the 'Daily Herald'?" Mr. Coates: "That I cannot say, but anyhow, information was supplied, according to tho report, to tho Labour secretary at Waitomo." The letter contained incorrect statements. As a matter of fact it was ridiculous nonsense. sense, to say that thero Were hundreds of men walking about starving." Mr. Holland: "It said 'hundreds of men.' That is quite true." Mr. Coates: "I do not think there are hundreds of starving men walking about this country. There were men who had had difficulty in getting work, it was perfectly true,.but when people say that there are hundreds of men walking about the roads starving, well, I think tho people in the country districts are the best judges of that." Mr. W. E. Parry (Auckland Central): "They are sleeping under the bridges in Auckland." Mr. Coates: "I say that the Labour unions have a duty. It ia not generally realised that the secretaries pounce on men on relief work for their dues." Mr. Holland: "That is not a fact. No union compels a man to. pay up when he is out of work." Mr. Speaker: "I am afraid that this discussion does not come within the scope of tho question." Mr. Coates said that ho had letters saying that the position was as he had stated, and he concluded by- saying that it would be just as well to throw out a broad hint that people should fall into line and help." WELLINGTON COLLEGE. Mr. T. Forsyth (Wellington East) asked the Minister of Education if he would say when it was proposed to provide adequate class-room accommodation at the Wellington Boys' College in accordance with Sir James Parr's promise of somo years ago. Tho Hon. E. A. Wright replied that plans and specifications had been prepared, and in the new building and re-cently-erected memorial hall, would be the central feature. It was proposed now to have two blocks, right and loft, with class-rooms on the pavilion system at tho rear. A certain amount of oxcavation would be required, and a basement would bo needed in tho front. He hoped to-make a start this financial year. Ho wished tho collego governors to understand that every effort would be made to erect the buildin duo course. WELLINGTON BILLS. Tho Lands Committee, reporting on tho Wellington City and Suburban Water Supply Bill stated that in view of tho report of tho Local Bills Committee it would be useless to proceed with the Bill, and that it had no recommendation to make. The same committee reported on the Hutt Eiver Board Empowering Bill recommending that insofar as it affects lands of the Crown it be allowed to proceed without amendment. SAWMILL WORKERS' WAGES. In reply to Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon (Westland), who asked whether a clause could be inserted in the Bankruptcy Act providing that all sawmill workers should nave first claim for wages up to one month in caso of bankruptcy or liquidation, the Attorney-General (tho Hon. 11.11. J. Eolleston) said that the law already provided for preference to be given in respect of salary and wages due in the event of bankruptcy, or insolvency. - The question whether sawmill workers should bo given tho same preference in regard to wages as coal miners was a subject on which lie- would j bo pleased to confer with tho Minister of Labour. (Proceeding.)

Tin: Italian Under-Secretory of Sluti; for .Justice announces that lie proposes to prohibit women from attending triiiln as spectators. The Courts, he says, must I cease to be made theatres whither women coinn in search of sensation and to display their toilettes.