VARIED DAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23830, 4 December 1940, Page 11

VARIED DAY

business in house POTHER FINANCE BILL JVIDE BAXGE OF SUBJECTS [BY TEEEG R A PIT —SPECT A L REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Tuesday The introduction of the Finance Bill '(No. 4). which contains an amendment to the Social Security Act providing for (Tpneral practitioner service on the ] 7a qs of mutual arrangement between doctor and patient, was the main item j n a varied assortment of business that came before the House of Representatives to-dav. The bill, which comprises 27 clauses dealing with a wide variety of subject-, will be debated later this week. Three minor bills were passed by tho JJouse to-day and there was a prolonged discussion to-night on the annual report of the .Marketing Department (Export DivisionL The only bill discussed in any detail was the Agricultural ( Emergency Powers) Regulations Confirmation Bill, which gave an opportunity for a debate on the Government's fruit marketing policy, with special reference to apples and citrus fruits. The debate to-night, on the marketing 0 f primary produce overseas was accorded urgency to enable the House to sit beyond the usual hour if desired. Opposition members were particularly critical of aspects of the guaranteed price scheme, which was detended by Government speakers with equal vigour. Two petitions will be discussed by the House to-morrow afternoon. This Tvil'l he followed by a debate on war regulations. The House rose at 11-45 p.m. until |.30 p.m. to-morrow. "ARTFUL DODGER" • INTERLUDE IN HOUSE A REMARK WITHDRAWN [by tet egrapit—special reporter] WELLINGTON, Tuesday A reference by Mr, D. C. Kidd —Waitaki) to the Minister of Marketing, the Hon. W. Nash, as "an artful political dodger," gave rise to a bright interlude in the House of j Representatives to-night. It also ; brought a protest from the Prime Min- i ister. the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser. ; 'I think the Minister can be well dubbed an artful political dodger." Mr. Kidd said, when recalling Mr. Nash's speech to the dairy conference. Mr. Fraser: Point of order. Mr. Speaker. That remark is a personal reflection noon the Minister. I ask that it should be withdrawn. The Speaker, the Hon. W. E. Barnard: It has rather a Dickensian j flavour. There was a character called an artful dodger. I do not remember much about it. A Member: He was a pickpocket. Mr. .T. Thorn (Government — Thames'*: A very bad character (la 'lighter - !. Toe Speaker: I am sure that if the Minister dislikes the term the lionourob'e member will withdraw it. Mr. Kidd: I can assure you. Mr. Speaker, that nothing was further from my thoughts than to cast, any reflection upon the Minister. guaranteed price

DEFENCE BY MR. NASH POST-WAR DIFFICULTIES [BY TELEGRAPH" —SPECIAL REPORTER] WFJ/LIXfiTOX. Tuesday A defence of the guaranteed price pclierne was made in the House of Representatives to-night by the Minister of Marketing, the Hon. W. Nash. He -aid he was satisfied on the evidence ot the years that the dairy farmer was better off under the guaranteed price procedure of the past four years than ]ie_ would have been without it. The testimony of New Zealand's competitors was that the organisation of the marketing machine was near perfection, and on that record he was content to let the farmers judge when they knew the facts. A detailed review of the scheme and its operation was given by Mr. Nash, who said that factory costs had declined. interest rates were not higher, rikl fertiliser costs were guaranteed. Discussing post-war difficulties, the Minister said that although New Zealand_ had some arrangement with the British authorities for the agreement to continue until there was an element of stability in the market at Home, the Dominion might be faced with abnormal output and abnormal supplies of marparine. Those were the days the Government would meet and when the guaranteed price wofild require again to be given some consideration. Mr. W. J Poison (Opposition—itraftord): What do von mean by that Mr. Nash: Tf there is an abnormal lall in the price of butter overseas we Would have to protect the dairy farmer against it by paying something to his Costs and his own living. miscellaneous items II URAL HO ('SING CHARGES [BY TELEGRAPH"- —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLIXGTOX. Tuesday A Hause in the Finance Bill (No. 41, introduced in the House to-night, deals with rural housing. It states that, advances made in respect of land leased j *' )f> ( rown are to he a charge on tlm lessee's interest in the land and i •have priority over any charge or loading ' "rising from the erection of buildings the making of other improvements. ■ L.iarges under the Rural Housing Act 111 respect of Crown leases are to he satisfied out of the value of improve- | Tnents pa id for by incoming tenants. : , '"''onie derived by the Canteen > Jj'urr] jv if) 1,,, exempt from income tax. i f f "'iai security charge and national security tax, Die Taupiri Drainage* and River: ■Hoard j.s authorised to borrow £IOOO. , J'he purchase of plant and inacinncry. There is. however, a safe- 1 guard by winch a poll may be demanded • ;i1 lea -1 o per cent of the ratepayer-, MOKAU RIVER TRANSPORT CONTROL OF THK HARBOUR ["V TH.EC It Al' It—SP ECIAL REPORTER] WELLIXG TOX, Tuesday H is recognised that the settlers ?P tne Mokaii River are entitled to some Kind of transport. and this bill is an t'tmrt. to meet their needs." said the luster of Marine, the Hon. D. G. '-'uhvan, when moving the committal the Mnkau Harbour Bill in the '"jise to-day. He added that the Harbour was formerly used to ? au * I 'xtelll, but for some years no °<"s bad there, "r. McM j]|;i n ' explained that it was Pjoposod t.) vest tbe functions of the -lokau Harboii'r Board in the Waitomo , o, inty (onncil. There would be transfrpd to the council the assets and "abilities oj the hoard. J aere wa- mo discussion in commitand the ! >:! 3 went thro null its final tages an j W;)S , Klsse j within a few Ininutes.