PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 250, 21 October 1924, Page 8

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY. A GOOD EVENING'S WORK. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.'") WELLINGTON", this day. The House was In working mood tonight, and passed several measures. These included the Motor Vehicles Bill, Trustee Amendment Bill, Land Transfer (compulsory registration oi titles) Bill, and the Poultry Bill. The Native Trustee Amendment Bill was read a second time, and referred to the Native Affairs Committee, and progress was reported on the Chattels Transfer Bill after the short title was passed. Tlie House ifdjourned at 12.-0 a.m. "He Wired, He Came, He Left." Mr. T. W. Rhodes asked the Minister of Marine whether it was a fact that, the recent visit of the Chief Inspector of Fisheries to Thames was of such a hurried nature that not one-fourth of the fishermen were aware of his coming or able to lay their view-; before him. He quoted a correspoondent, who summed up the position thus concisely: "He wired, he came, he left." Stopping Heavy Borrowing. "Steps have already been taken which it is hoped will have the effect °f preventing excessive borrowing' by local bodies," stated the Prime Minister, in reply to a question asked' in the House of Representatives, by Mr. G. Witty (Riccarton), who asserted that excessive borrowing by local authorities is to the detriment of the producers of the Dominion, who cannot hope to compete with the high rate of interest allowed to be paid by City Councils and other local bodies. Bank of England Notes. In declining to accept Mr. R. A. Wright's suggestion that, to overcome, exchange difficulties, the Government will promote legislation permitting the free circulation in New Zealand of English Bank notes, the Prime Minister replied that an official circulation of English bank notes—which are not legal tender —would create economic anomalies and affect control of our own currency. These notes would replace New Zealand Bank notes now issued, otherwise inflation and increased prices would follow. More Honours for M.P.'s. "If v it is desired that honourable members shall be justices by virtue of their membcrfhip of the House," says the Minister of Justice, in reply to Mr. F. N. Bartram (Grey Lynn), "the Legislature Act would require to be amended so that members would bo on the same footing in regard to appointment to the commission of the peace as are the Mayors of cities and boroughs and county chairmen. I can see no objection to such a course being adopted." i Directors' Loans and Guarantees. In advocating legislation to prevent directors of co-operative companies from borrowing from concerns in which they are interested. Mr. Witty (Riccarton) stated that some companies' lend large sums of money to their own directors on insufficient security, and so associations are thus led into financial difficulties. The. Prime Minister replied that the Government has recently had under consideration, legislation to prohibit the practice of directors personally guaranteeing advances made to institutions they control, and will during the recess, consider also, the converse subject of-prohibiting.loans hy such institutions to their own directors. Freight on Bitumen.. , The Minister of Railways states that tar used by local bodies for roadmaking is carried on the railways at a special rate, which is unremunerative to the Department, which cannot agree to increase its loss by extending the special rate to cover commodities not hitherto included therein. While, therefore, it is not considered that the Department will be able to reduce the rate on bitumen to the same rate as that charged on tar consigned to local bodies fotr roadmaking purposes, the rate on bitumen will be reviewed in connection with the reissue of the tariff, with a view to making such reduction as may be found possible. New Borstal Institute. The Hon. C. J. Parr, Minister of Justice was asked by Mr. Rolleston (Waitomo) whether, before deciding on a site for the new Borstal Institute, he would inspect that large area of land lying to the east of Te Kuiti, with a view of acquiring, some 4000 to 5000 acres of this country for the purposes of the institute, and land development scheme on lines of that at Hautu. Mr. Parr said if Mr. Rolleston would supply the requisite information as to the situation and boundaries of the block of land, instructions will be given for the inspection at an early date. A Queen Street Purchase. Replying: to Mr. J. H. Lee' (Auckland East) the Hon. R. H. Rhodes stated that the building at the corner of Queen and Wyndham Streets in Auckland, formerly occupied by the Bank of Australasia, was purchased by the Government on the recommendation of a former general manager of the State Fire Office, for the purpose of providing accommodation for the Auckland branch of the Department. Subsequently, the premises proved unsuitable. , Workers' Weekly Tickets. A suggestion was made by Mr. W. J. Jordan (Manukau) that workers weekly tickets on the Auckland suburban railway lines should be made available for freezing works employees and others who start w-ork at irregular hours has been considered by the Minister of Railways. In replying, the Hon. J. G. Coates points out that concentrated traffic, which alone enables the Department to make the very great concession involved in these tickets, is confined to early morning and evening for those workers who require to travel. At other times workers twelve-trip tickets are available, which, though charged at a somewhat higher rate than the worker weekly ticket, represents a very generous concession on ordinary fares. The Loan from the Bank. The Prime Minister replied to Labour criticism of the recent loan negotiated with the Bank of New Zealand, and pointed out that the bank would find £1,125,000 at five and a quarter per cent by issuing new shares, of which the Government was entitled to take up onethird. It was quite a simple transaction. It had been arranged to take up these shares, but the money would not be paid till towards the end of the year. He intended that cash should be paid for them, and, from appearances he judged that could be done. The borrowed money would be lent out to settlers at 5J per cent, and there would be no difficulty in disposing of double the amount. As a matter of fact, the Government might be able to lend double the amount, but he would not discuss probabilities.