THE ESTIMATES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 269, 7 August 1920, Page 8

THE ESTIMATES

SUPERANNUATED PUBLIC SERVANTS SOME RELIEF PROMISED The Departments of Finance received first I consideration when the House of .Representatives "went into Committee on. 'the Estimates, yesterday. -. . Mr. Wilford (Hutt) made an appeal for increased superannuation allowances for retired public servants. "There are only a few hundred of these people," said Mr. Wilford, "and some of them are actually starving. They cannot live on the allowances paid to them at present." _ "Mr. Massey said that lie was as anxious as anyone else to assist these people. Their position was. very hard, owing. to the decline in the valne of the sovereign, and the matter would- be considered before the end of the sessira. If anything were done it would be in the direction of bringing all allowances up to a fixed minimum. , . : After several other members had urged the claims of the superannuated public servants, Mr. Holland (Bttller) moved that the first item should be reduced by vfil as an indication of the desire of ths Honso that ample provision should be made for these people. Mr. Massey said tlio question was simply one of financial ability. Tho Gov ernment had to watch every item of expenditure carefully, but it would dosomething for the old civil servants this session. Ho would refuse to accept the imotion as an instruction on a point ;of policy. The Chairman ruled that Mr. Holland could move the reduction, but could not treat Jt a* an indication to the Govern-ment-on a point of policy involving legislation. The motion was rejected by 35 votes,to is; and Mr. Massey pointed out to members that the member for Buller had merely succeeded in placing on record a vote which could 'be interpreted .as an indication that'the Government should not increase the superannuation allowances. What was the Government to do? Members: The-right thing. Mr., Massey: The Government will do the right thing. ■ . Mr. Fraser: What is tho right thing? Mr. Massey: To make, some provision in accordance with the' financial position in which-we-find.ourselves, six weeks or two months from now, or perhaps at all earlier date. .

• depreciated bonds • AN. INVESTMENT FOR NEW NEW ZEALAND. \ . Mr. J. P. Luke drew the attention of the Government to an opportunity for the profitable investment of sinking funds. -He said that owing to conditions .unconnected with the credit of the Dominion, Now Zealand bonds were being offered at a discount in London. The Government could save millions of pounds for. the country by buying these bonds. Could not the sinking funds be used for this .purpose? . Mr. Massey replied that the'sinking funds could not lie used in such a way -without an amendment of the law. Tho proposal had been discussed. TRADE wiTAMERICA UNITED . STATES SHIPPING LAWS. The votes for the Department of Industries and Commerco included a Daymen!: for steamer services. Mr. Wilford asked, if the Government _ was keeping in touch with the operations of tho American Shipping Board,_ which_ had wide powers to assist American shipping at tlie expense of Britain and other countries. He had been warned by ■n' correspondent that, it was necessary for New Zealand to- keep in close touch witn the decisions of the Shipping Board,which would be varied at very short notice. Mr. Wilford suggested that .New Zealand ought to have adequate trade representation at San 'Francisco. Mr. Massey replied that tho Government was watching carefully tho proceedings of tho United States Congress in tho matter of shipping. When the time came for New Zealand to make representations, they would not be mado through any commercial representative Thev would be made fhrough the Imperial Government, and the British Ambas.. Bador at Washington to the Government of the United States. He believed that ns trado increased it would be necessary for New Zealand to have representatives in tho principal centres of the United States nnd Canada.

THE WEKA AND THE RHINOCEROS • BEETLE It is just possible that some day the New Zealand wcka will come to deathgrips with the rhinoceros beetle of Samoa. Mr. J. Horn (Wakatinu) yesterday asked the Minister of External Affairs whether he would send a few pairs of wekas to tho Islands to see whether they would prove useful, in combating tho pest. Tho Hon. E. P. Lee replied that he would be very glad to adopt any practical suggestion. He did'not know, though, whether tho welca wonid bo of any use, or whether its introduction into >> Samoa would bo advisable. HARD ONIHTTRADERS Recently two traders in the Taranaki district were charged by the Board of Trade with profiteering. The cases wero heard in Court, and. wero not proved, but. tho defendants were involved in heavy,costs.,. Mr. S. G.-Smith (Taranaki) asicwl in the Houso of Kepresentatives if the Government would refund some part of the costs to these men, who obviously had suffered an injustios. The Minister of .fustieo (Mr. Lee) replied that ho could not accede to the suggestion, "The costs of . defendants who are successful on. Crown proceedinga are never allowed, - h© stated