QUIET DAY IN THE HOUSE

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 257, 26 July 1930, Page 12

QUIET DAY IN THE HOUSE

Eventful Week Concludes

PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BILLS

Financial Debate Starts on Tuesday

Following upon the financial bombshell dropped into the House of Representatives by the Prime Minister on Thursday evening in the form of his Budget, the House spent a relatively quiet day upon private members’ Bills yesterday. It was an uneventful end to a week full of interest, for within the past few days there have been produced three most important items—the Budget, the Unemployment Bill and the Customs revision. x '

There are numerous private members Bills awaiting consideration by the House, but it is seldom that any of these measures ever appear upon the Statute Book. In recent years only three have stood out, namely Sir Thomas Sidey’s Daylight Saving, Mr. H. G. R. Mason’s Marriage Amendment and Sir John Luke’s Music Teachers’ Registration.

Yesterday saw the passing of the Rent Restriction Bill through all stages, a measure which one member claimed, was too little known throughout the country. Next week will no doubt bring the expected storm of protest upon the head of the Government as the result of its proposals contained in the Budget. Enough has already been said to show that the Financial debate will be long and bitter and opinion in the lobbies indicates that far from the Government being accorded facility to press ahead with business, it will meet with sustained opposition. The debate on the second reading of the Unemployment Bill will continue when the House meets again on Tuesday afternoon, and in the evening the Prime Minister hopes to be able to make a start with the'Financial debate.

VALUATION OF LAND No Change in Act Likely “It is not proposed to bring down during the present session any general amendment to the Valuation of Land Act,” said the Minister of Lands, Hon. E. A. Ransom, in answer to Mr. W. H. Field (Ref., Otaki) in the House Of Representatives yesterday. Dealing with further points upon which Mr. Field sought information, the Minister said that practical farmers could now apply for any vacancy in the staff of the Valuation Department, and the Government did not propose to interfere in the administration of the Public Service Act, under which the appointments were made. The proposal to submit disputed valuations to the arbitrament of experienced and independent farmers was not considered to be an improvement on the present law, which prov Zed for objections being heard by an Assessment Court consisting of a president, who must be a solicitor, and two assessors, one of whom was selected by the ratepayers, and both of whom were in practically every case men with farming experience. RATES ON RURAL LAND Relation to Motor Transport “The question as to whether the incidence of rural rates is, in view of the development of motor transport, equitable or not, is receiving the close attention of the Government,” sai the Prime Minister, Hon. G. W. Forbes, in reply to J- Polson (Ind., Stratford) in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr.. Forbes said that a departmental committee consisting of representatives from the Transport Department, the Department of Agriculture, the Treasury, and the Public Works Department had recently been set up to make a survey of all the data available on the question and to conduct investigations with the object of showing the actual relationship between primary production and the rural rates.

“RUSH TACTICS” Mr. Coates Objects “These rush tactics are likely to get us into serious trouble,” declared the Leader of the Opposition, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, yesterday afternoon when an attempt was being made to secure the second reading of the Rating Amendment Bill in the minute that remained before the House of Representatives rose for the day. The Bill is a private one and is being sponsored by Mr. H. G. R. Mason (Lab., Auckland Suburbs), “The time has arrived for the adjournment,” said Mr. Speaker, interrupting Mr. Coates. However, Mr. Coates raised a point of order to enable him to complete his remarks. “It would be in the public interest if the Prime Minister would set aside another day before long for dealing with private members’ Bills, he said. “It has been represented to me, and to the Prime Minister also, I believe, that private members are becoming concerned about their Bills.” Mr. E. J. Howard (Lab.. Christchurch South) You have just killed one. Mr. Coates: I cannot discuss that now, but I say that private members are entitled to reasonable consideration. Mr. Howard: You did not give Mr. Mason reasonable consideration. Mr. Coates: There is no man in this House I would rather give reasonable consideration to than the member for I Auckland Suburbs. j Mr. H. E. Holland (Leader of the Labour Party) ; God help him then. Mr. Coates: The honourable member has a reason for saying that, of course.

TELEPHONE TOLL CALLS Differing Types of Service Removal of the unfair charges to telephone subscribers in connection with short-distance toll calls, was urged by Mr. W. Nash (Lab., Hutt), in a question he asked in the House of Representatives. Mr. Nash pointed out that a subscriber to the telephone service at Lower Hutt, Petone, and Eastbourne, who desired to communicate with Wellington, was charged 4d. per call, against 3d. charged to non-subscribers for a like service. The Postmaster-General, Hon. J. B. Donald, replied that a toll message from a subscriber’s telephone and a call made from a public slot machine were entirely different types of service. “Due to public demand.” he said, “slot machines situated approximately ten miles from the central exchange have been erected at Auckland, Dunedin, and Wellington respectively. The charge for the use of such machines should have been 4d.. but, as the installation of apparatus suitable to be operated by coins to that value would have been complicated and costly, it was decided, in view of the small number of such machines, to fix the charge I at 3d. per call. The minimum charge for a toll call from a subscriber for any 1 distance not exceeding twenty miles is I 4d., which compares more than favour-1 ably with the minimum charge fixed by I other countries. As a reduction of the | minimum charge for toll messages from , subscribers from 4d. to 3d. would result in a loss of revenue of over £20,000 annually, I regret that I am unable to' make any alteration to the present rates.”

MEAT EXPORT Private Member’s Bill Discussion on the second reading of the Meat Export Control Amendment Bill took place in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. The sponsor of the Bill, Mr. W. D. Lysnar (Ind., Gisborne), said its objects were to make the board representative of the fanners. At present that was not so. The Bill proposed to do away with the commercial representatives. It also proposed to do away with Government representatives until the Government was financially interested in the'operations of the board. It was proposed to divide the Dominion into nine districts for the election of members of the board, each district to elect a producers’ representative. There was a clause preventing new freezing companies securing any further interest in any freezing works in New Zealand. The Prime Minister, Hon. G. W. Forbes, said that at a time like the present there was bound to be a certain amount of feeling that all was not right, and when reasons for the fall in prices were not apparent it was felt that some influence whs at work. Mr. Forbes suggested that the matter could be investigated by the Agricultural and Stock Committee He thought the committee a better place to thresh out the question than the floor of the House. There would be another opportunity of going into it when the Bill had been investigated by the committee.

Mr. Lysnar: That is quite satisfactory to me.

The Prime Minister: I am glad to hear that. The matter is one of expert knowledge. The Bill was read a second time and referred to the committee as Mr. Forbes suggested.

GOVERNMENT STORES Tenders Confidential The publication of all tenders submitted to the Stores Control Board was advocated by Mr. J. S. Fletcher (Ind., Grey Lynn), in a question he asked the Minister of Public Works, Hon. W. B. Taverner, in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr. Fletcher also asked the Minister whether in the event of his declining to do this, he would give reasons why the tenders should not be published in the interest of both the taxpayer and of the tenderers. “It is,” replied the Minister, “proposed to reserve the right to disclose or treat as confidential the prices paid for stores according to the circumstances of each case. The principal reasons are: (a) Some tenderers stipulate that their quotations are to be treated as confidential; and (b) in some instances trade combinations attempt to fix prices to the disadvantage of the State. These combinations desire to know the accepted price in order to discipline members or to exert undue pressure on suppliers outside the combinations. In such circumstances the board does not propose to assist the combinations to effect their object.

STATE ADVANCES Policy Maintained According to a statement made by the Prime Minister, Hon. G. W. Forbes, when replying to Mr.,R. A. Wright (Ref., Wellington Suburbs) in the House of Representatives yesterday, the State Advances Department has not abandoned the policy of advancing to workers 95 per cent, of the value of the land and building offered as security for a loan. The Department was not aware that many applicants for loans were offered considerably less than 95 per cent, of their security,_ he said. In every case where a valuation had been made and the security offered had been considered satisfactory the board of the office authorised the full amount of the advances allowed by the limitations of the State Advances Act. When asking his question Mr. Wright said that when the workers’ homes scheme of lending 95 per cent, of the value of their properties was launched it was, as a rule, consistently observed, but now this policy appeared to be abandoned. In some cases applicants who should receive at least £l2OO were asked to accept £lOOO.

LEVY ON WOOL Funds for Research Information as to when the Government intends to give effect to the promise given last session to the combined sheepowners and Farmers’ Union representatives to introduce a Bill providing for a small levy on wool in order to advertise and promote further research in wool in conjunction with other portions of the Empire, was sought by Mr. W. J. Polson (Ind., Stratford) in a question addressed to the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. A. J. Murdoch, in the House of Representatives. The Minister said the Bill referred to was prepared last session, but was not gone on with consequent upon the fact that the necessary co-operation could not, at the time, be established with other countries interested. Such co-operation did not yet seem possible, and consideration was now being given to the question of whether provision should be made meanwhile to enable wool-growers to provide a fund, by men ns of a levy, for research work in New Zealand alone.

RESTRICTING RENT Legislation Renewed HOUSING IN CITIES Differences of Opinion Although the Rent Restriction Bill was put through all stages and passed by the House of Representatives yesterday, unexpected differences of opinion were voiced during the second reading. Several members took exception to the fact that the Leader of the Opposition, Rt Hon. J. G. Coates, opened a discussion on the measure when it was thought an arrangement had been reached between the tl'ree parties that the Bill should be passed without debate. It had been previously promised by the Prime Minister that yesterday should be devoted to private members Bills in consideration of the House agreeing to continuing the debate on the Unemployment Bill last Wednesday. When the House met yesterday afternoon Mr. Forbes asked that other measures should be stood down in order that the Rent Restriction Bill, which is being sponsored by the Minister of Labour, Hon. S. G. Smith, could be dealt with. The Prime Minister explained that it was essential that the Bill should be passed by August 1. Mr. H. E. Holland, Leader of the Labour Party, said he would agree to the measure being accorded preference, although there were others on the order paper before it, and he said that his party would be willing to refrain from discussion. In view of that, the Minister formally moved the second reading without comment.

Explanation Sought.

“It is all very well moving it without an explanation, but I think we are entitled to ask whether there ,is any real reason for a continuation of this class of legislation,” said Mr. Coates, who had previously said that as far as he was concerned the Government could “give the Bill a go.” Mr. Holland: I thought you agreed to let it go through without debate. We would not otherwise have agreed to private members’ Bills being waved for it f Mr. Coates said he could not help what t the Leader of the Labour Party thought. • He bad not made any promise that the Bill would be allowed to progress with- • out discussion. • Mr. Smith: Has the honourable mem- ■ ber not read the explanation attached to I the Bill? > Mr. Coates said he had read it, but at the same time he desired to ask whether 1 there was any reason for a continuance of the law. He said that statements had 1 been made in Auckland that there were between 1000 and 2000 empty houses • there, and that persons with capital invested in property were willing to allow ' tenants to remain in houses at nominal 1 rents merely in order to get some return, s It was inevitable that capital would be ' restrievted in this class of investment as long as restricting legislation remained , on the Statute Book. He believed there ' was some difficulty in regard to housing in Wellington. The member for Gisborne '' (Mr. W. D. Lysnar), who had interrupted him, would no doubt agree with what he ■ had said. 1 Mr. Lysnar (pointing at Mr. Coates): You should have said that before. You should have said that you were going to oppose the Bill. ' Mr. Coates: Nonsense. I never made any promise that I would not discuss the Bill. Labour’s Attitude. f , Mr. Holland said he understood that 1 the Prime Minister had suggested that the Bill should be put through without a debate, and that he had agreed to the introduction of the measure on the understanding that there would be no discussion on it in order that it might be put through expeditiously. He would not have favoured the Bill receiving prefer- , cnee over private members’ Bills had he i thought there was going to be a debate on it . The Act had been on the Statute Book for years. Everybody understood it, and the position could not be altered unless there was an alteration in the provisions of the Bill. Mr. Coates had certainly allowed members to understand that he would let the Bill go through i without discussion. Reform members: Nothing of the kind. “A Real Need.” The Minister said the Bill merely aimed at the continuance of legislation passed by the House last session. From information carefully compiled by the officers of his department, it was clear that there was a real need for the maintenance of legal protection for tenants. The greatest need apparently existed in Wellington, Christchurch and Napier, and in saying this he was backed up by figures supplied by his department. Applications made under the Act last year totalled 109 in Wellington, 22 in Christchurch, and eight in Napier. Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Ref., Riccarton)said that there was no need for the legislation as far as Christchurch was concerned. One had to pay 30/- a week in Wellington for a room in which it was not possible to swing a cat, whereas it was possible to secure a five or seven-roomed house in Christchurch for the same price. The Rev. C. L. Carr (Lab., Timaru): What is the use of a seven-roomed house to a worker? Mr. Kyle: He does not want ten rooms, does he? Measure Necessary. Mr. R. McKeen (Lab., Wellington South), congratulated the Minister on bringing down the measure. He said it was still necessary that tenants, especially in the slum areas, should be accorded protection against landlords. Mr. H. T. Armstrong (Lab., Christchurch East), said the position in Christchurch had been misrepresented by Mr. Kyle. The restriction of rents in that city again this year was necessary. It was quite true that there were empty houses in Christchurch, but it was ridiculous to suggest that a seven-roomed house could be had for 30/-. He said he would like to see the Act made permanent, in. order that they could do away

with the necessity of passing legislation each year. The Minister said the Bill did not affect houses erected after 1920. Investors were not prevented from putting capita] in to houses, as the number of people affected was so small. It was quite true that there were unoccupied houses in Christchurch, but these were of a type which workers could not afford to rent. The Bill had been considered carefully by Cabinet, and the Government was not agreed that the time had arrived for a withdrawal of the legislation. The Bill was accorded urgency, put through all stages, and passed. IMPERIAL CONFERENCE Economic Agenda The Government is awaiting definite advice as to the agenda for the ImpeiVl Economic Conference, according to a statement by the Prime Minister, HoiX G. W. Forbes, when replying to a question by Mr. W. J. Polson (ind., Stratford) in the House of Representatives yesterday. “As soon as possible the agenda will be communicated to the House,” said Mr. Forbes, “and it is intended to afford the House an opportunity of discussing all the questions which will be brought up for consideration at the Imperial Conference.”

Mr. Polson had asked whether, in view of the great importance of the subject of Imperial preference, and the anxiety and unanimity of the primary producers of the Dominion concerning it, the Prime Minister would give the House an early opportunity of hearing and discussing the policy of the Government regarding preferential trade at the forthcoming Imperial Economic Conference.

“OF THAT OPINION”

“The Charge of the, Light Brigade is nothing to the charge of a lawyer.”—Mr. D. McDougall (U., Mataura).

“The people who control the pursestrings control all others; the money monopoly controls all monopolies.”—Mr. M. J. Savage (Lab., Auckland West).

“The only thing missing in the wealth of the people is the lack of financial medium.” —Mr. F. Langstone (Lab., Waimarino).

“I think the time is not far distant when problems created by private financiers will be settled by State action.”— Mr. M. J. Savage (Lab., Auckland West)

“Doctors, lawyers, professional men and sinners—they are the men who are holding land for speculative purposes.”— Mr. D. McDougall (U., Mataura), when complaining of the lack of control . of noxious weeds on unoccupied sections.

“I am beginning to wonder if we have a Government; it seems to me the Government is a case of the tail wagging the dog.”—Mr. D. McDougall (U., Mataura).

POSTAL FACILITIES

Needs of Newtown District

When the provision of improved facilities for the Newtown district is warranted, the question of establishing a central post office will have consideration the Postmaster-General, Hon. J. B. Donald, informed Mr. R. McKeen (Lab., Wellington South) in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr. McKeen had asked whether the Minister would, take immediate steps to have a new post office established at the intersection of John and Riddiford Streets in order to meet the convenience of the business and residential community iq Wellington South.

Mr. McKeen said that the present post office situated in Adelaide Road was totally inadequate and inconvenient for the largest section of the community in this locality. It had been recognised by a former Postmaster-General three years ago that there was urgent necessity for such postal facilities to be provided in the district, and a promise was given accordingly. Mr. Donald, however, stated that there was no record of any of his predecessors having given a definite promise to establish a post office at the corner of John Street and Riddiford Street.