RECESS OVER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 305, 2 October 1940, Page 8

RECESS OVER

SITTING OF PARLIAMENT.

PETITIONS AND URGENT QUESTIONS.

(Abridged from Press Association). WELLINGTON, October 1.

After a month’s recess, the House of Representatives met again at 2.30 jp.m. to-day.

An immediate increase in the monthly allowance of petrol to at least 7,000,000 gallons to all who use motor transportation was sought in a petition by 1017 motor mechanics and others engaged in the motor industry, all of Christchurch, presented by Mr S. G. Holland, . who asked that the petition be read in the House. This was agreed to, but the Clerk of the House had not proceeded far when Mr Fraser objected, suggesting that as the petition contained propaganda, it was outside the scope of a petition. Mr Speaker agreed that it would be advisable to discontinue the reading and Mr Holland agreed to' this course. The petition pointed out . that loss of employment resulted from the restrictions and expressed the opinion that the present severe restrictions would have the effect of spreading unemployment far beyond the bounds of their own trade.

Mr Speaker later announced that the petition would be received by the House. A number of urgent questions was asked Ministers by- members of the Opposition during the afternoon. Factory Suppliers. Replying to a question by Mr F. W. Doidge, who referred to the Order-in-Council providing for the transfer oi suppliers from cream factories to cheese factories, the Hon. W. Lee Martin said the Hon. W. Nash had already pointed out that if at the end of a given period a supplier changing over had not reasonably recovered the value expended on dairy equipment the Government would be willing to take the equipment he had at its assessed residual value. No cases had been reported of share milkers walking off farms rather than submit to the change-over, and he intimated that farmers who were able to prove that labour was unavailable

would be considered eligible for exemption. Provisions also existed for granting exemptions from the operation ol the order dealing with 'the disposal oi dairy herds. Exemptions were also provided for in cases of hardship. Replying to another question on the. same subject by Mr H. S. S. Kyle, Mi Martin said he know of no creamery which had been converted into a cheese factory in order to increase the production of cheese, but certain cream suppliers who it was considered

could change from cream to milk I delivery without undue hardship had been ordered to deliver their milk to the cheese factory. If the supplier considered there was hardship he could appeal and in some cases appeals had been granted.

Hours of Shops. A proposed amendment to the Shops and Offices Act, which was withdrawn from the Statutes Amendment Bill after considerable criticism when that measure was before the House in August, was reintroduced in identically the same form in the Shops and Offices Amendment Bill to-day, which contains only this clause. It empowers the Arbitration Court to fix the opening and closing hours of all shops, hut provides for appeal to” a magistrate for exemption from any hours fixed by an award. At the same time the Court is given power to make any exemptions Avhich it considers desirable. "While the closing hours of shops are fixed by an award, it is not possible for shopkeepers to fix the hours by requisition. The Bill was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Labour Bills Committee. An expression of appreciation of his groat services to the Dominion, and sincere sympathy with his relatives was expressed in connection with the death of Mr A. E. Jul.l, member for Waipawa. Moving that a resolution expressing these sentiments be sent to the relatives, the Prime Minister traced Mr Jull’s wide career of service, and said his sudden death had come as a shock to every member of the House. He had been a prominent figure in the local body and Rational life of the Dominion. A similar motion was also carried in connection with the deatli of Mr John Anstey, a former member of the Legislative Council and also a member of Parliament.