PARLIAMENT.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19724, 14 September 1929, Page 18

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. V DAY ON ESTIMATES. l+txtuaia i l **** ,»ai"CiATios utoiT.) \VI-;i.(.l N't M>.\, September 13. Th* lionet <'t K'-prescutatives met at 10..10 this morning, and resumed consideration hi '•nmmitteo of ttio supply ( ,f thii IVrVi.ce Department vote |, wuu'h was passed without further ducu.ML.m. The Department of Justice Estimate ( £ 1 H.4,7».'>'») \tu takcu next. Mr W. P. I.yanur find., Giabome) urged that the salaries of Judges should he increased. The Department "■'»' more thtiu paying it* w«y, uad he considered that then- should not be any difficulty iu the way of granting so.uc nifn'Hw. At tin- present time the salaries did not represent what a good practitioner could curn in [>rivate busi-Ilt-HM.

The Hon. Mr Wilt'ord, replying to Air Howard, stated that Judge*' salaries were not paid out of the income of the Department. .Mr Lymar asked the Minister what ♦.as the cost of the Justice Department to the State lust year, after allowing for Judge*' «i...ries.

Implying to Mr D. Jones, Mr Will",.rd agreed that Judges' salaries were included in the balance-sheet of the Justice Department, but not in the Estimates. The profit from the Department last year amounted to £!)500 r but Mr Wilftml pointed out that thin did not include allowance for interest charge* and depreciation, which this Department was not called on to pay. In reply to a point raised by Mr W. H. Field, the Minister stated that the system of serving summonses by post had been u. real benefit to poorer people, on account of the avoidance of paying mileage charges. Litigants had been saved £.71)00 in this way laat year. He agreed that service by post occupied a little more time. Mr \V. 11. Field (R., Otaki) suggested that there should be some means of re opeuiug Coronial enquiries, especially hi view of what had happened in the Elsie Walker case.

Mr Wilford: It would require legislation. Mr Field asked if such legislation would bo introduced, but the question was ruled out of order because it ■ floe ted policy. Mr F. Langstone {Lab., Waiuiarino) •aid the system of employing private persons as deputy official assignees was wrong. The duties could be carried out by the Justice Department. Several members requested that more Justices of the Peace should be appointed in the country districts, where, under present conditions, it was frequently necessary for residents to travel many miles merely to have a signature witnessed. Mr Tau Henare (R., Northern Maori) asked whether the Minister would consider appointing Maori Justices of the Peace. The Hon. Mr replied that he Would be pleased to do so. The vote was passed.

t The Crown Law Oftice Estimate. (JdtU-10) wan punned without debate, and the Department of Internal Affairs vote (£342,941) was then taken.

Mr P. Waite (R„ Clutha) urged that fur production, including the rabbit industry, should be encouraged. He advocated that the best variety of opossums should be liberated in New Zealand bushes, and lie claimed that investigations had failed to show that the apossum was a danger to bird life or to native bush. He further contended there was no danger of these animals becoming pests, aa they did not breed prolincaHy, and trappers had no diffi•ulty in keeping the numbers down. Mr W. J. Poison (United, Stratford) referred to the depredations of deer in New Zealand forests and even among crops. He suggested that the protection afforded these animals should be reconsidered. Mr W. E. Parry (Labour, Auckland Central) joined Mr Waite in an appeal for the introduction of opossums in greater numbers. The Hon. Mr de la Perrelle stated that tho Government had done much towards stamping out the deer pest, and had declared open seasons in some district*. Mr A. M. Samuel (Reform, Thames) asked tho Miuiater whether he would consider the granting of some of the revenue the Government derived from the totalizator for tho purpose of helping'the public to obtain playing areas en racecourses. Mr Samuel pointed out that many racecourses were used only • few days a year, and the rest of the time they remained idle. It was nnfair to request the racing clubs, out of heir own funds, to provide playing grounds on their courses, but he thought something could be done if the Government would make a grant. Mr d« la Perrelle promised to give the niatte- full consideration. Mr W. J. Poison (Independent, Stratford) described the damage caused by . goats in Kgmont National Park, and suggested that Hie Minister should substitute an Anipial Destruction Act for the Animals Protection Act. Mr de la Perrelle pointed out that the Egmont National Park Board had the matter in its own hands, and could adopt any course it desired. Replying to Mr D. Jones, Mr de la Perrelle said he would investigate the suggestion to provide a grant for the Boy Scouts movement in the Supplementary Estiniates. Mr 11. E. Holland (Labour, Buller) asked tho Minister if he could say on behalf of the Government who would be the next High Commissioner, and when he would be appointed. Mr W. J. Broadfoot (United, Waitamo) said he would like to know how many New Zealunders were employed in the High Commissioner's Office in London, lie said it was essential that roost members of the staff should have information about New Zealand at their finger tips. Mr Broadfoot further sug gested that New Zealand publicitv rilniw. especially if made on the "talkie" principle, would find a valuable market oversells and might easily become self support ing.

Replying to Mr \V. 11, Field, the Minister stated that there would be a vote for the Native Birds Protection Society iu the Supplementary Esti mates. Mr de Ma Perrelle said he was not in a position at the present time to male a statement in regard to the appointment of a new High Commissioner. Mir James Parr's time had been extended, ami he could not say whether there would be a further extension. He stated that there were 23 New Zealand* r« out of a atari" of 90 in the High Coniiimsioner'H Offlee. A scheme was under eonsideration for the exhibiting of New Zealand films in our schools. Th<- vote wits then passed, and the limine rose ut ".:t0 p.m.