PARLIAMENT.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20036, 18 September 1930, Page 15

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. YESTERDAY'S BUSINESS. (ABBIPQBP PBMB 4.SSOOUTIOH BJsPOM.) WELLINGTON, September 17. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. The Managers of St. Paul's Presbyterian Congregation (Oainaru) Bill was read a' third time a&d passed. In reply to questions asked by Mr H. E. Holland (Leader of the Labour Party), the Hon. E. A. Ransom said the policy of the Government in the matter of the number of men employed in the Public Works and ltailway Departments had not been altered, and there was no present intention to make reductions of the staff in them. It wust, however, be recognised that it was impossible for the Government to give an undertaking that no reductions would take place under any conditions that might aris*. that b«mg entirely dependent on the available funds and the economic value of the work to be carried out. Mining Industry. With regard to the present coal situation, Mr Ransom said it was recognised that the new conditions created in Australia necessitated action for the protection of the New Zealand coal mining industry. This question, however, was involved in the reciprocal tariff agreement now current between this Dominion and Australia, no departure from which could .be made without six months' notice being given. The que-stion would shortly be considered by Cabinet with a view to deciding whether such notice should be given. Duty on Cereals. The Agricultural and Pastoral Industries and Stock Committee recommended to the Government for favourable consideration, a petition praying for the removal of the import duties on cereal and vegetable stock foods. Mr D. Jones (R., Mid-Canterbury) moved an amendment that the report bo referred back to the Committee for further consideration. He contended that there was already an abundance of food on the free list for pig-breed-ers in New Zealand. The amendment was seconded by Mr C. Carr (Lab., Tiraaru) ; who said he was opposed to importing anything into this country that could be produced here at a reasonable price. Mr G. C. Black (C. Motueka) supported the recommendation of the Committee. He claimed there was every reason to anticipate that there, would be a good market at Home for the products of the New Zealand pig and poultry industries, and he beli«v«d their development would be of great value to the Dominion. Mr H. E. Holland said unless some other provision were made for the wheat industry in New Zealand, it would be seriously affected by the loss of protection. If the duties were removed they should be substituted, by a bounty. It was essential, in the interests of the country, that such an important industry should not be endangered. The debate was interrupted by the 5.80 p.m. adjournment.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (taxaa *.asocuno* csxxqsax.) WELLINGTON, September 17. Tlie Legislative <Ctroncil met at 2.30 p.m. The Kirkpatrick Maaooic Institute Empowering Bill was read a third time ami passed. Tie Dunedin 'Waterworks Extension Bill. jDunedin District Drainage and Sewerage Amendment Bill, and Waiapu County Council Empowering Bill were put through their final stages and passed. The Council rose at 2.40 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.