PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 170, 19 July 1924, Page 7

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY, MINOR BILLS DISCUSSED. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Keporter.l WELINGTON, Friday. The House of Representatives spent to-day in considering minor Government bills. The Minister of Justice moved the second reading of the Police Force Amendment Bill, providing for improved disciplinary methods in connection with the force. Replying to a suggestion that police promotion depended on the number of convictions, he declared that his I instructions were that there be no "pushing for convictions." The biU was read a second time. Copyright Amendment. Extradition Amendment, and Sale of Food and | Drugs Amendment were read a second time without discussion. Sir Maui Pomare explained that the Food and Drugs Bill strengthened the provisions to secure purity and prevent deception in regard to food and drugs, including medicines and soaps. I A Local Legislation Bill, which Mr Bollard explained sought to do away 'with rush legislation in the last measure of the session, aroused discussion, Mr. ■ Wilford suggesting that there should be some process of reviewing this class of legislation by a select committee. Mr. Witty considered the gazetting of legislation inadequate. He advocated newspaper advertisement. I The Minister agreed to submit the bill jto the Statutes' Revision Committee, and it was read a second time. Government Bills. Notice was given to-day to introduce the Rent Restriction Bill (Mr. Anderson), Legislative Amendment (Mr. Massey), Medical Practitioners Amendment ('Sir M. Pomare) Local Authorities Valuation of Land Act (Mr. Bollard). G-aming Amendment (Mr. Bollard), and War Funds Amendment (Mr. Stewart). Must Rely On Fruit Unless a fresh source of revenue is found by the Niue Island Administration, little proogress can be made, at any rate with works which mean added upkeep and expense in future years, as, for instance, more schools. This fact is stressed by the Administrator in his re- | port, and he state the establishment of , the fruit trade appears to be the only ] practicable solution of the difficulty. It ,is stated that growers throughout the | Cook Island Group are pleased with the I new alternate cargo service to Auckland • and Wellington, which gives them a : choice of market., which they have been ! asking for some years, but, on the other hand, they are apprehensive that, owing to the accelerate- .San Francisco mail service, they may he deprived of the . shippiilg space desired on mail steamers jto Wellington. This is considered a | most essential service, as it brings fruit quickly to what growers consider their • best market. For the year ended I December, 1923, the value of Imports was £131,500, and of exports £118,710. I For the previous year the figures were: Imports £110,T2G, exports __.. }802. During the year 138,857 cases of. oranges, ' 70,200 cases of bananas, and 24,578 cases of tomatoes were exported, and it is considered that with suitable shipping facilities for the coming, year the escort of these fruit wUI be increased- _~... Moratorium Legislation. "**■ It is the intention of the Prime Minister to postpone the second reading of the Mortgages Extension BUI until after the Financial Statement is presented on Tuesday night, as it will con- | tain a good deal of information of value Jto the House in coming to a conclusion I regarding the moratorium. After the second reading, the bill will probably be referred to a select committee if there is a desire that evidence should be submitted regarding the probable effect of its provisions. Rarotonga for a Holiday. - v ' The good climate of Rarotonga and other attractions, which make it a desirable holiday resort, were mentioned during a discussion on the Cook Islands report to-day. Mr. Wilford regretted that the Tourist Department did not make more of its opportunities in this respect, and suggested a quick steamer service at cheap fares. Sir Maui Pomare, Minister in charge, said the climate was particularly good, and not too hot. Rarotonga lent itself to tourist traffic, and perhaps more could be done in that direction. He could recommend anyone to go there. Down in the Islands. Some quaint details about the Cook Islands and Niue are contained in the annual report of the Administration. For example, the shortage of rain had a bad effect on the coast road to Tamakautoga, because the grass did not grow on it. This necessitated repairs, but now the whole length of the road is well grassed, and will give little I further trouble. The vital statistics show that in Niue the deaths exceeded the births by only 19 during the period from 1901 to 1924, but during that time there had been a drop of 219 in the population, and it is said the real danger there is not excessive mortality, but migration. Many natives, particularly young men, are anxious to leave Niue, as there is no work for them. In 1922 the Resident Commissioner at Rarotonga recommended that there should be ample power to prevent the natives from leaving without good reason, and it is said such an authority is urgently needed in Niue. It is admitted" that " such a step would doubtless be regarded ; by some as an unwarrantable liberty 1 with freedom of British subjects, but ■ personally the Resident Commisioner 1 regards the people as children in a 1 6tate of tutelage, and as yet unfit for f full freedom. J AU dogs should be destroyed is another statement in regard to Cook . | Islands. It is pointed out that a _ j disease known as ascaric lumhricoides . j exists amongst children and youths I only on islands where there are dogs. In regard to another disease, eats are " suspect, but meanwhile their lives are . not in danger. ti ° o j —