NO KEPRESENTATION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 268, 6 August 1920, Page 8

NO KEPRESENTATION

SAMOANS INELIGIBLE FOR PARLIAMENT. The Minister of External Affairs (Mr; Loo) stated yesterday that the Government has oome to a decision on the request for Samoan representation in the Now Zealand Parliament, and has sent a communication to the Faipitlea cf Samoa regretting that under existing conditions there was 110 power to give effect to their wishes. "The present constitutional pesition," said Mr. Lee. "is that Western Samoa is not an integral part of tho torritory of New Zealand, and until tho people of-Samoa, in exercise of the rights conferral by the Treaty of Peace, decide that their country shall bo incorporated into the Dominion, no native or British resident of Samoa is eligible for eloction to the House of Representatives or for appointment to the Legislative Council." motoFtraffic "DRASTIC ACTION" REQUIRED. Two questions'' affecting motor traffic Were asked in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr. Atmore (Nelson) drew attention to a complaint made by o hospital doctor in Christchureh that many accidents were caused by reckless motorists, who sometimes did not pause to attend to thoir victims Mr. Massey said the doctor jvas quite right. "I am strongly of opinion,";said the Prime Minister, "that some drastic action will have to he taken by tho Government to check the unscrupulous behaviour of many of the motor-car drivers." (Hear, hear.) * Mr. G. Forbes (Hurunui) asked what the Government proposed to do about tho tyre tax. Would people who were interested have an opportunity to give evidence in connection with the Bill promised by the Government? - Mr. Massey replied that Cabinet had decided that legislation should be. introduced during the present cession. Ho would be glad to have opinions from ail quarters on the subject. WELLINGTON'S "SLUMS" . _THB _ KINEMATOGRAPH VERSION. A picture film entitled "The Slums of Wellington" was mentioned in the House of Representatives by Mr.. P. Eraser (Wellington Central), who suggested that the Government should "consider the advisability of having the film exhibited throughout Great Britain as an advertisement.' for. tho Government's immigration scheme, particularly as regards the housing accommodation available for immigrants arriving in the leading cities of the Dominion."

"It is understood," replied tho Minister' of Immigration, "that tho film in question had been taken to assist the general town-planning movement, and mainly covers an area Tvliich is nctnnlly the a report by the Wellington Oity Council's engineer, who is contemplating a schemo for completely remodelling and improving the dwellings. There are no slums in the Dominion in tho English sense of the word, and the Government will riot take* any notion in the .direction of advertising! anything detrimental to ihis Dominion in' Ureat Britain or elsewhere." •

MOTOR SPIRIT, MANUFACTURE IN NBW ZEALAND. Replying to a suggestion that the Uov- . ernment should encourage tho manufacture in New Zealand of motor spirit or commercial- alcohol, Sir William Herries replied that apparatus for the manufacture of industrial alcohol had 'just been Imported, and it was expected in the near future that some thousands of gallons would bo turned out annually. Should the'process prove successful it was expected' that the annual quantity would eventually run into some hundreds of thousands of gallons. Imported spirits 'methylated in warehouses in New Zealand were liable to duty at Bd. thb gallon, plus 1 per cent, ad vnlorem (primage), while locally distilled spirit methylated in a distillery in the Dominion would be free of any duty. This was equivalent to a bonus of (Id. per gallon plus 1 per cent, ad' vnlorem on spirits made in New Zealand. WOKMCOAL Mr. W. T. Jennings (Waitomo) asfcea if the Governmentjvould consider a proposal by a practical Welsh miner to work coal measures on tho Mokau. River, situated on Molj"au-A\vakino Block, No. 1. "It is inferred from this question," replied Mr. 'Massey, "'that the Mokau-Awa* kino 'Block, No. 1, is owned by Maoris, and assuming thiat to be the case neither the Commissioner of Crown Lands no? the Government has any jurisdiction as regards granting Mr. Williams any coal rights. If Mr. Williams or any other person desires to work the coal on that land it is quite open to him to enter into an arrangement with the Native owners and lessees for the purpose of obtaining a lease or Ilc'enso to work the coal." 1