PARLIAMENT.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19970, 3 July 1930, Page 9

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY DEBATE OPENS. (press association TELgGBAM.) WELLINGTON, July 2. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. to-day, Mr W. D. Lysnar (R., Gisborne) gave notice of intention to introduce the Meat Export Control Amendment Bill. Sir George Hunter (R., Waipawa) was granted one day's leave of absence on account of illness. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time—Census Postponement Bill (tho Hon. P. A. do la Perrelle), Apprentices Amendment Bill (the Hon. S. G. Smith), Scaffolding and Excavation Bill (the Hon. S. G. Smith), Nursos and Midwives Registration; Amendment Bill (tho Hon. A. J. Stallworthy), Workers' Annual Leave Bill (Mr D. G. Sullivan), Bank of New Zealand Amendment Bill (Mr J>\ Langstone). Answers to Questions. Replying to Mr R. McKeen (Lab., Wellington South), the Hon. S. G. Smith said the Apprentices Amendment Bill was designed to give effect to the decisions of tho recent conference on tho subject. Mr Forbes informed Mr C. Carr (Lab., Timaru) that financial exigencies would not permit of any assistance as sought by various women's organisations being granted towards the expenses of delegates to the Pan-Paciflo Conference. Mr Forbes, replying to Mr J. A. Young (R., Hamilton) said he hoped to make an announcement at an early date o:i the subject of the proposal that Sir Otto Niemeyer (who will shortly visit Australia on behalf of tho Bank of England to consult with tho Federal Government on tho matter of the exchange problem) should bo invited to extend his visit to the Dominion in a hope that' something permanent might be done to relieve the burden of exchange as between Great Britain and Now Zealand. Replying to Mr C. H. Chapman (Lab., Wellington NorTh), Mr Forbes said the rates of exchange between Now Zealand and Great Britain were not fixed by tho Government, but by the associated banks operating In the Dominion. The subjoct, however, was under consideration. Answering a question submitted by Mr W. J Jordan (Lab., Manukau), tho Prime Minister replied that a suggestion had already been made that tho subjoct of reciprocity in old age pensions might with advantage be included in the agenda of the Imperial Conference, and tho Government was. in communication on tho subject with tho Government in the United Kingdom. In reply to Mr H. M. Rushworth (Country Party, Bay of Islands), Mr Forbes said tho question of whether any animal foodstuffs other than bran and pollard could, bo admitted free of duty was at present receiving the Government's consideration. Mr Poison asked whether, having regard to the financial situation, the Government would apply the same method of investigation to the construction of new railway lines as it was now doing to tho working of the existing lines either by widening tho scope of the Railway Commission's enquiry or by creating an independent Commission for tho purposo. .... Mr Forbes replied that it was not proposed to widen the scope of the Railway Commission of Enquiry so as to include railway construction, iho Commission had been set up to investigate the working of the present railways with a view to suggesting methods by which tho position might be adjusted so as to reduce to a minimum tho call on tho taxpayer to meet railway losses. „ „ . Tho Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, replying to Mr H. S. S. Kyle (R., Biccarton), who asked for the withdrawal of tho restrictions on tho importation of such domestic birds as doves and pigeons, said that although tho main sourco of psittacosis infection was from parrots and allied species, there was evidence that other birds could contract the diseaso. Replying to Mr J. S. Fletcher (U*j Grey Lynn), the Hon. J. G. Cobbe said the question of extending tho right of appeal in tho Police Force was under consideration by tho Government. In response to Mr T. W. McDonald (U., Wairarapa), Mr Cobbo said it was probable the Arms Act Amendment Bill as passed by the House last session would be reintroduced this session. Mr Sullivan asked the Minister for Defenco whether ho would early in the session introduce legislation giving effect to tho recommendations of the Commission contained in tho report relating to the rehabilitation of ox-sol-diers.

Mr Cobbe replied that legislation giving effect to the Government's proposals following the consideration of the recommendations of the Commission, would be introduced in due courso, Mr Stallworthy informed Mr P. Fraser (Lab., Wellington Central) that ho proposed to take immediate steps to provide suitable and sufficient sleeping accommodation-for patients in mental hospitals. There were at present 174 improvised beds being used throughout the Dominion. Proper mattresses and bedding were used in every instance. No attempt had been made to retrench at the expense of the inmates. In his auswer to a further question submitted by Mr Fraser, the Minister for Health said arrangements were first made in 1918 for medical students to receive instruction in midwifery in St. Helens Hospitals, and these arrangements had continued since that time. Experience had proved that the training of student doctors in St. Helens Hospitals interfered in no way with the main purpose for which these hospitals wore established, namely, as maternity homes for mothers of moderate means, nor in any material degree with tho training of midwives. The Government had no intention of allowing this purpose to be changed. The Minister for Labour (the Hon. S. G. Smith), replying to Mr Fraser, said legislation to extend tho Bent Restriction provisions for a further period would be introduced in tho House. The Address-in-Reply. In moving that a respectful address be presented to the Governor-General in reply to his Excellency's Speech, Mr C. H. Clinkard (U., Eotorua) said reference had been made in the Speech to the loyalty bf the Maori race. This could very largely be attributed to the high standard that had been maintained by his Majesty's representatives in New Zealand. Tho mover then referred to the expressions of regret at the illness of Sir Joseph Ward, in which he participated. He added that Sir Joseph Ward's work would not terminate with his relinquishing office. He had cast his mantle on his colleagues, who should be ablo to continue the policy which the leader had initiated. Mr Clinkird then mentioned the Prime Minister's recent financial statement, which he said had been described as unduly pessimistic. In tho case of a financial statement he asserted it was not a matter of optimism or pessimism^,

but one of accuracy. Tho Prima Minister was well advised to take careful note of the state of tho country's finances. Referring to land settlement, Mr Clinkard applauded the system of land classification that had been introduced, and he outlined the steps taken in land development, but added that if the country were depending on land settlement alone to solve the unemployment problem it would fail in its objective. The great mass of the men employed by the Public Works Department _ would not always be able to find work in that quarter, and railway construction work must at gome time come to an end. Further, there were children leaving school who would have to be provided with means of earning a living. To achieve this it would be necessary to turn attention to developing the productive industries of the country. There had recently been a very serious decline in the output and the number of men employed in the timber industry, while importations of timber from foreign countries as well as from Canada were increasing. Something must bo done to protect our own industry. Ho urged that some substantial protection should bo givon, and that any soft woods required should be obtained from Canada under some reciprocal arrangement affecting, for instance, the importation of Now Zealand butter into Canada, Mr Clinkard also advocated tho encouragement of the New Zealand motorbody building industry on the lines of insisting that a fixed percentage of tho chassis imported should bo fitted with New Zealand-built bodies. The Seconder. The motion was seconded l>y Mr E. W. Hawke (U., Kaiapoi), who expressed gratification at the improved health of the King, and extended a welcome to Lord and Lady Bledisloe. He went on to express a hope that Sir Joseph Ward would soon be able to return to the House, and once more give his colleagues the benefit of his counsel. He supported Mr Clinkard's references to the recent statement on tho country's finances, which he considered was the action of a man who was determined to do what he thought was right and in tho interests of tho people. Mr Hawke referred to the more peaceful state of affairs in Samoa, and paid a tribute to tho Minister for Defence (the Hon. J. G. Cobbe), whose visit he considered had been largely responsible for the im* proved conditions. He believed that if any mistake had been made in regard to Samoa tho present Minister for Defence would be able to rectify it. Mr Hawke next dealt with tho position of the railways. He declared it would be impossible to-day for the railways which had originally been constructed for the transport of grain to pay their way, because much of that land had now been turned to different uses. He felt that when the Commission now sitting had completed its work there would be a clamour from some quarters for the retention of certain railways, although it would bo known they could not pay. Ho believed that under the conditions of today there should be very careful consideration before anyone recommended tho construction of branch lines. Touching on unemployment Mr Hawke expressed appreciation of tho efforts of tbe Minister for Public Works, and he also acclaimed the wisdom of the policy of afforestation that was being carried out. Ho supported the remarks of Mr Clinkard on the subject of the development of productive industries, and ho urged that attention should be given to the woollen and the boot trades. Mr Hawke expressed approval of tho policy of bringing pumice land into productivity, and said it had been shown to be possible to prepare this lar.d for occupation at something over £7 an acre. In reference to the purchase of land for settlement, he urged tho Minister never to hesitate to pur--chase good land, but to take care not to pay too high a price for it. Settlers should never bo placed on land incapable of producing a fair return for their labour. The debate was adjourned on tne motion of the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, and tho House roso at 8.35 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.