POLITICAL NOTES

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19724, 14 September 1929, Page 16

POLITICAL NOTES

[THH PBSM Special Service.] WELLINGTON, September 13. Mr Hatcher and his Party. "There is not the slightest truth in it," declared Mr J. S. Fletcher (United member for Grey Lynn) to-day, when his attention was called to a rumour that, arising out of his stand in the House of Representatives on Wednesday night, he had definitely decided to leave the Government Party and adopt the role of an Independent. Mr Fletcher said he had made his oosition clear in the House. The Government would not have his support if it failed to tackle problems because thev were big. That did not mean that* he was leaving the United Party. "The main consideration in my mind is tho prompt relief of unemployment," he added, "and I am determined to Lse every endeavour to help the Government to arrive at an early solution, but an attempt at this by the Government mast be made, and made quietly."

"On .Bankruptcy Business Only." Objection to letters being sent out from the Official Assignee's office bearing the stamp mark "On bankruptcy business only" was taken by Mr T. Waite, Beform member for Clutha, in the House of Eepresentatives to-day. Mr Waite said he did not know whether the letters were branded for the selfglorification of the officials in Wellington, but he did know that in some districts, particularly where the storekeeper acted as postmaster, the credit of the settlers had been prejudiced. He hoped that something would be done in the matter.

The Minister for Justice (Hon. Mr Wilford): I will see that it is cut out in future.

Advertising New Zealand. An assurance that the Government will see that New Zealand is thoroughly advertised overseas was given by the Minister for Internal Affairs (Hon. Mr de la Perrelle) in the House of Eepresentatives to-day. Members had advocated the expenditure of more money on the work, and the Minister agreed to bring the matter under the notice of the Minister in charge of publicity. Mr W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne): Make the amount available three times as great, and you will hit the mark. The Minister said he agreed that there should be more co-ordination of the activities in New Zealand, and he hoped in the near future to have a conference held on the subject. The suggestion that a member of the Maori race should be sent abroad in an official capacity to advertise the beauties of New Zealand was advanced by Mr J. A. Nash (Palmerston). Mr Nash said that such an appointment would be most advantageous to the Dominion. There were many highly qualified and cultured Maoris who would be eligible for the work. "This suggestion appeals to me very much indeed," replied the Minister, who added that he would be pleased to go into the matter. Beer and Opossums.

The depredations of deer, and the prospects of the liberation oi opossums in New Zealand, were the subjects of a long debate in the House of "Representatives to-day, when the Estimates for the Internal Affairs Department were under consideration.

In the. course of his reply, the Minister v (Hon, Mr de la Perrelle) expressed the opinion that the - time was coming when the Government would have to give permission to shoot deer in any part of the Dominion. (Hear, hear.)

"And let it be soon," said Mr J. A. Nash (Palmerston). Dealing with opossums, the Minister said that investigations were now proceeding to ascertain what effeet the animals had on native bush and bird life. Already the stomach content of 150 animals had been examined, and no evidence had been found of bird life being affected. The investigations were being continued, and at their conclusion, provided he was satisfied that bush or bird life would not be injured, he would, if possible, allow the liberation of opossums.