PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 304, 22 December 1921, Page 9

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY. (By Telesrfnph.--Pafl_mentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. FREEHOLD AT HOROPITO. The possibility of a debate on the vexed issue, freehold versus leasehold, eventuating when the Washing-up Bill is submitted, was evidenced"by a statement made by the Minister of Lands when replying to a question by Mr. R. W. Smith (Waimarino). The Hon. D. H. Guthrie said that legislation was being prepared for the Washing-up Bill to provide for the freehold being granted to certain lessees in Horopito town. TAUMARUNtJI REVALUATIONS. The Minister of Lands was asked by Mr. R. W. Smith what was the position regarding revaluations in Taumarunui. Some months ago, he explained, application was made for revaluation, and several inquiries had since been made. It was understood that the. Valuation Department had completed its wjork, and that the matter was held up by the Lands Department. Sir. Guthrie replied that instructions for revaluation had been gazetted months ago, and he promised to inquire into the matter. SUGAR AT ROTORUA. Some time ago Mr. T. M. Wilford drew the attention of the Minister of Public Health to a statement published that some seven tons of sugar had been transferred from Rotorua military hospital to Wellington at a time when there was a dearth 6f sugar in Rotorua. To-day the Minister of Defence admitted to Mr. Hockly that sugar had been transferred to Wellington. Sir R. H. Rhodes stated that if this referred to a quantity of sugar that was shipped to Wellington it was correct. The sugar was offered to the Health Department when it took over control, but as the latter had stores of its own, and as the Defence Department required sugar at Wellington, it was agreed to purchase it. AUCKLAND PETITIONS. The case of J. J. Meikle, of Auckland, was reported upon by the M to Z Committee to-day in connection with his claim for further compensation for injuries sustained by him by reason of his imprisonment on a false charge. The committee referred the petition to the Government for favourable consideration. With a suggestion that it should consider granting to the petitioner the sum of £4 a Week for the remainder of his life. Favourable consideration was recommended in the claim of Thomas S. Waitt for refund of deductions made from his superannuation whilst temporarily occupying a Government position. The Defence Committee, reporting on the claim of Captain W. T, Beck, D.5.0., for adequate compensation in recognition of his long service iv the Defence Department, stated that it was of opinion that Captain Beck should Tcceive the same treatment as was afforded to officers retired in 1920-21, and therefore recommended the petition to the Government , for favourable consideration. I DEATH DUTIES. The Death Duties Amendment Bill was introduced by the Premier. Mr. Massey said the amendments were of a technical nature. The principal one fixed the date on which duties became payable under •the retrospective clause of the bill, viz., one month after the donor of the gift has been notified of a reassessment of duty. The other amendment raises the amount of the gift which must he notified ; from „100 to £300. The amendments were agreed to. RAILWAYMEN'S HOLIDAY PAY. As the result of extension of the Christmas holidays some uncertainty has arisen over the rate of payment to railwaymen who work next Monday. Mr. T. M. Wilford asked the Acting Minister of Railways if they would be paid double time. Mr. Guthrie replied that under an arrangement with the railwaymcn the Department would pay extra rates to those who worked on Boxing Day in accordance with their agreement. CLAIMS .OF THE BLIND. Members of the House have been addressed by Mr. J. S. Bloomfield on the subject of pensions to the blind. The member for Auckland Central presided. Mr. Mackenzie, who suffers from blindness, gave a very informative statement regarding the earnings of blind persons from the limited range of occupations open to them, and quoted the financial result of his own efforts to show that unless there was a pension for blind persons they could not by their unaided efforts place themselves in a sound eco» nomic position. A vote of thanks to Mr. Bloomfield was moved by Mr. Savage, seconded by Sir G. Hunter, who remarked that this very deserving cause had been neglected too long, and he hoped members would take it up with a view to securing pensions for the blind as early as possible.