PARLIAMENT'S, WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 237, 7 October 1930, Page 3

PARLIAMENT'S, WORK.

MORE MIDNIGHT SITTINGS. P. AND T. ESTIMATES PASSED. LOXG DEBATE OX MIXES. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Monday. Before going into committee on the Estimates to-day, Sir Apirana Xgata, acting-Leader of the House, secured the adoption of a motion enabling sittings to continue till midnight each night except Friday, which showed that there was no possibility of completing the business this week. The Postmaster-General, the Hon. -J. B. Donald, before tha .Postal Estimates were finally passed, made an Important statement outlining the new radio broadeasting policy. Mr. A. Harris (Reform.. Waitemata), who revived the topic of the dismissal of the Auckland telegraphists by moving an amendment calling for a, Royal commission of investigation, found r less sympathetic House than on the former occasion, his motion being defeated by 29 votes to 22.

Several amendments on the mines policy were moved during the discussion of the Minos -Department estimates, which continued many hours. The Leader of the Labour party failed by 2S votes to 24 to carry a reduction of the vote as an indication that the distribution of railway coal contracts in the TVaikato should be revised, and Mr. W. P. Endean (Reform, Parnell) again brought up the leasing of the McDonald State coal area, moving a critical amendment, which was not pressed to a division. Just before midnight the estimates of the Department of Agriculture were reached.; Tests of Low Grade Ores.

The Minister of Mines announced in the House that the Mines Department is endeavouring to encourage the development of low grade ores at Thames, Waihi and other parts of that district. He had been urged by Mr. G-. C. Munns (Government. Eoskill), to give more liberal support to gold prospectors, because there was undoubtedly tremendous mineral wealth in the country wa'ting for discovery. He explained that he was limited in resources, but the Department securcd a small vote for investigat I ju of low-grade'ores of the Thames district, and its chemist had been instructed to procccd. It was also assisting in boring in the alluvial flats of the South Island. Altogether over £7000 was being provided for prospecting, and he strongly agreed with the view that the development of the Dominion's mineral resources was an effective way of assisting to build up national wealth. Barrister's Sainoan Practice. Compensation to the extent of £600 is claimed by a' Wellingtons barrister, .Patrick B. Fitzhcrbert, on the ground that he was • debarred from practising his profession in Western Samoa. Petitioner states that he obtained a license, and commenced practising in May, 1930, though the Administrator at

first demurred to giving- consent to the license, on account of petitioner having criticised the actions of the' Administrator in the Press of New Zealand. He was so successful in the Samoan Court that his income appeared likely to be £1500 to £2000 annually. He was requested to interview the. Administrator in July, 1930,' and was informed that his practising license would be cancelled, no reason being given. Petitioner declares he took no part in political meetings and discussions, but he endeavoured to improve relations between, the Samoans, the Administration and the New Zealand Government. ■'I believe that the Administrator imagined my success in defending > Samoans was inimical to his administra. tive plans," said the petitioner, "ty'lio, as an alter'riative to compensation, desires a suitable position in the Public Service. Y.W.C.A. Telephones. The .question of a rebate of telephono rates charged the Auckland Y.W.C.A. was raised in the House to-day by MivW. E. Parry (Labour, Auckland Central), who pointed out that the sum involved was £72 a year —a substantial sum for an institution performing valuable public and social service. There venue of the Y.W.C.A. was made up entirely of gifts from the public-spirited people and subscriptions from young girls. In view of the nature of the work done by the institution he suggested that* at least the telephone charges should be placed on the private rate fnstead of the business rate basis, as at present. The Postmaster-General promised to give the question sympathetic consideration in the course of a few days. Slot Machines. A strong , plea for the installation of slot telephones at Penrose, Onehunga, and Merrilands was made in the House to-day by Mr. W. J. Jordan (Labour, Mamikau), who asked also that a second postal delivery for Penrose be considered. The claims of certain members of (he staff for improved salaries were sponsored by Mr. Jordan. F. R. Field Society. The F. E. Field Scientific. Research Society, of Auckland, is petitioning Parliament with the request that Frederick Richard Field be given facilities to satisfy all as to the value a'nd soundness of the discoveries he has made. It is asserted that his research work is fundamentally new to science, exceedingly wide in its range, and of immense value to mankind. "We know (petitioners) state that Mr. Field has courted the most thorough and open discussion of his work, desisting only from his efforts to convince the Government's agents when, in despair, he found that in a secret inquiry they refused to accept the plainest possible evidence in his favour. In any case, his work has not been disproved, and no final reply has been given by the Government to the numerous appeals made." It is further asserted that Mr. Field's achievements in various research fields not only surpass those of any other scientist in New Zealand, but are unique.