POLITICAL NOTES

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20026, 6 September 1930, Page 14

POLITICAL NOTES

[THE 7SESB Special Service.] WELLINGTON, September 5. London Bank Bill. Permission to suspend the Standing Orders to enable the introduction of the London and New Zealand Bank Amendment Act will be sought J r A. M. Samuel (8., Thames) in the House of Representatives next Tuesday. The Bill is a private measure and has the simple object of seeki g extension until July 31st, 1932, of the period within which a capital of £1,000,000 is obtained prior to tne proclamation of the bank. The P n% Act of 1928 gave until J 4£ n 3l ' for that purpose, and the Bill no* p posed will accordingly seek to extend the period by two years. The Maori Bace. The economic survey of tho Maori race, for which £6OO .is provided in this year's Estimates, has been commenced, according to a statement by the Minister for Native Affairs (Sir Apirana Ngata) in the House of Representatives to-day, when replying to questions on the subject. The Minister said two officers were now at work finding out what lands were owned by Natives, the conditions of the Native villages, tho manner m which Natives were living, and so on. The work had started in tho district between Wellington and Foxton, and the services of a former Judge or the Native Land Court had been obtained. It was hoped that the results achieved in that district would serve as a model for the continuation of _ the survey in otheri parts of the Dominion. Dr. Valintine's Position.

Curiosity as to the position of the retiring Director-General of He&lth, Dr. T. H. A. Valintine, whose appointment as an advisory officer to the Department has already been announced, was shown by several members when the Estimates of the Health Department were before tho House of Representatives for consideration this afternoon. When replying, the Minister for Health, the Hon. A. J. Stallwortliy, said that Dr. Valintine's salary would be £SOO per year, and that ho would be called upon when his advice was required. "The present Director-General of Health is due for retirement," said Mr \V. Lee Martin (Lab., Raglan). "I think it advisable for the Minister to indicate to members in some way what is proposed in connexion with the retirement. I understand the DirectorGeneral does not come under the superannuation scheme, and I believe it is suggested that he be retained in hi 3 position in an advisory capacity to compensate him for the fact that he is retiring without superannuation." The Minister said the DirectorGeneral had been head of the Department for 24 years. Dr. Valintine had given 30 years of his life to the service of the public in this respect, and he felt, and the Government felt, that there was an obligation on tho people of this country to make some provision for him. It was considered this could be most effectively given effect to by giving the Director six months' leave of absence on full pay and appointing him as advisory officer to the Department, to be called upon when his services were required. His salary would be £SOO per year. The Government felt that that was the least it could do after his long years of service.

Vandalism in House. Maori treasures and works of art in the Native Affairs Committee room at Parliament Buildings have been engaging the attention of a section of the large number of people wbo go there every year to see them. The normal person finds it beyond him to account for the mentality of the vjyidal who receives enjoyment, in damaging those handsome pieces of Maori craftsmanship, but unfortunately this sort of thing has been going on., Attention to it was drawn by Mr K. S. Wijliams (R., Bay of Plenty) when the Estimates of the Native Department were under consideration in the House of Representatives this morning.

"The Native Affairs Committee room has suffered damage by people going to look at it and when there picking the pawa shells out of the Maori carvings," said Mr Williams. "Members of Parliament treasure that-room, and I want to draw the attention of the whole of the House to what has been going on. I think Mr Speaker should have his attention drawn to it, with a view to stricter supervision being exercised over people going there. Irresponsible people should not be allowed in the room unless under proper supervision." . The Leader of the Labour Party, Mr H. E. Holland, supported the remarks of Mr Williams.

The Minister for Native Affairs (Sir Apirana Ngata) said he would consult with Mr Speaker with a view to greater control being exercised over visitors.