PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 167, 16 July 1924, Page 8

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

«. » NOTES FROM THE GAIXERY. LAND SPECULATOR'S ADVICE. A PROHIBITIVE TAX (By Telegraph.—Special to " Star.") WELLINGTON, Tuesday. "For years I have earned my living by land speculation, but I have no hesitation in telling the Premier that until the Government deals -with land speculation it will not put an end to land troubles," was the frank declaration of Mr. A. Bell (Bay of Islands) in the House tonifrht. He believed a tax should be placed oil land sales, so as not to make it worth while dealing with land for speculative purposes. Till that was done they were only wasting time. Talking of the house shortage and reducing the cost of living, he said they should get down to the root of the trouble at once —the land speculation. "I was astounded," added Mr. Bell, "to find no proposal in the Governors speech to deal with land settlement." In his own district there were over 3,000,000 acres with a population of only 60,000, though the lands could carry a quarter of a million. He had seen the same thing iii Southland, and he hoped and trusted the Government would take immediate ste)>s to settle idle lands throughout is'ew Zealand and exercise greater care in the selection of immigrants. Meat Works Sale. It was suggested in the House to-day by the Hon. A. D. McLeod, Minister of Lands, that Mr. D. Jones (chairman of the Meat Export Board) could well defend himself against recent criticism when he returns to New Zealand, and is given a chance, which he no doubt will welcome. As one who had been closely concerned in the formation of the Meat Control Board Mr. McLeod added that, when there was agitation over the purchase of the works, a gentleman with unrivalled knowledge of this side of the meat business told him that where there was a capital cost for a works exceeding £1 per head of carcases handled they were getting upon dangerous ground. Judging by the output of the Gisborne works, which had been . the subject of criticism, the overhead charge was over 6/ per head, and no industry could stand that and pay interest on capital. Mr. W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne}: Nonsense; we paid our interest. League of Nations. An inquiry from Mr. G. W. Forbes (Hurunui) to the Premier to-day related to New Zealand's representation at the forthcoming meeting of the League of Nations. Mr. Massey stated that the Secretary of State for the Colonies had sent the Dominion an invitation, and the question of representation was before Cabinet. When Mr. Massey was asked by Mr. H. E. Holland if" the League of Nations' report would be presented to the House, a. member suggested that it might be discussed with Imperial Conference matters, but the Premier declared he wanted to separate those subjects. The report would be presented when the opportunity offered. For ami Agrainst "Bookies." The duties of Parliamentarians are not always to their liking, but nevertheless they have to be undertaken as cheerfully as possible. A typical instance' cropped up in the House this afternoon when Mr. L. M. Isitt (Christchurcli North), who is strongly opposed to all forms' of gambling, presented a petition advocating the licens-; ing of bookmakers. His fellow-mem-bers appreciated the humour of the situation, and a titter went round the House. Meat Control Board. Discussing the Meat Control Board, Mr. A. J. Murdoch (Marsden) said Mr. Lysnar had pointed out the iniquity of that board, and the great loss sustained by certain Gisborne farmers on the board. Was the Mr. Jones, who Mr. Lysnar had stated should be removed as he was "not. acting in the best interests of the producers of New Zealand," appointed by the Government* "Evidently Mr. Lysnar knows something, and he has either told this House too little or too much." Mr. G. W. Forbes (Hurunui) said:. "It is for the Government to institute an inquiry into the -workings of the Meat Board, and if there is anything to explain to the public it should be disclosed." The Farmer's Burden. Mr. A. J. Murdoch, speaking in the House this evening, dealt with the new Farmers' party, which he said included offsets from the Reform party. Despite the Hon. Mr. Nosworthy's denial, high land values created largely by the Government, were forcing up the market, and high rates of interest and taxes were some of the causes of the farming community being more or less disgruntled. He appealed for cheap freights for lime and phosphates, pointing out that the railways would get the benefit in the carriage of larger crops. It did not follow that the railways had to pay. They existed, not only for direct benefit, but also for indirect benefit, just in the same way as roads. Improvements Needed At Waitomo. Mr. J. C. Rolleston (Waitomo) spoke to-day of farmers' difficulties, and said the farmer had no redress if he did not get a return for his labour. He had to accept the market price, whereas in other businesses men could pass on the extra cost of production to the consumer. Dealing with loans to local bodies, he said that some county councils in his .electorate had been well treated by the Government, but bad been unable to raise their portion. Waitomo County had 418 miles of metalled roads and 1417 unmetalled, but could only get a £5000 loan from the Government, which was the amount that could also be obtained by four other counties which had 310 miles of road metalled and 21 miles unmetailed. Epsom School. f- The Hon C. J. Parr (Minister of Education) was given notice of a question by Mr. V. H. Potter to-day dealing with the Epsom School. The member for Roskill asked when the rebuilding of the school would be begun, and how long it would be before it was ready for occupation ? Deaths Under Anaesthetics. Mr. M. J. Savage has asked for a return showing the number, of deaths occurring under anaesthetics. • and the kinds of anaesthetics used during the five years ending December, 1924. A Pension Anomaly. An anomaly ■in the pension system, which allows that a British military pensioner may be eligible for the New Zea-' : land old age pension, whilst the recipient of a New Zealand Maori War pension is ineligible, was brought to the notice of the Minister of Pensions by Mr. V». J. Jordan (Manukau)." The Minister has replied that the matter has been noted, and will receive consideration when the pensions legislation is being reviewed.