THE DAY IN PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 27, 1 August 1923, Page 5

THE DAY IN PARLIAMENT

The outstanding event of yesterday in the House of Representatives was the introduction of the most important Bill of the session, which will empower the Government to grant relief to soldier settlers who, mainly through the sudden drop in the prices of the Dominion's staple products, have found it impossible to meet all their obligations. The principal creditor is, of course, the Crown, and it will be generous. The House had been discussing various smaller Government Bills in the evening, when the Prime Minister interrupted the even tenor of the proceedings by introducing, by way of Governor's Message, an amendment of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act. The measure itself is not so complete a revelation of the Government's policy as was the Prime Minister's explanation, which was all the more ample because he took care to answer every relevant interjection—and there were many. Soldier settlement is to be controlled by a Dominion Board, with the Under-Secre-tarv of Lands at its head. This beard will work in close association with district valuation committees, who will comprise men with good knowledge of the land and local conditions. Some of those who acted on the eleven investigation committees, whose reports have helped the Government to frame its policy, will be asked to act on these local committees, but land agents are expressly disqualified. Applications for reduction of rent, or for revaluation of hnd so as to secure reduction in the mortgage wiU be reported on by the local committee, whose recommendations will be considered and finally dealt with by ihe Dominion Board in conjunction" with the Minister of Lands. A revaluation will l* roUow'ed by corresponding reduction of the Crown mortgages' There are lands subject also to private mortgages. In these difficult cases, the board will negotiate with the mortgagee for reduction and it the mortgagee consents, his interest may be taken over by the Crown in return for 5 per ceiit. debentures. Soldiers who are in arrears with their interest and rent payments will be given ten years' respite as from Ist July, 1921 and no interest will be charged. The revaluation provisions are also to be retrospective from that date. Questions pu6 to Mr. Massey, and patiently answered, showed that there are still other phases of the problem. Storekeepers have given credit to the soldiers, and are ' participating in the returns to the Land Board. Ihe Prime Minister expressed the opinion that these business men might obtain relief through the medium of further loans which may be made to the soldier settlers, and it is intended to secure authority to raise a sum of £300,000 which will, it is thought, amply meet the need for fresh capital. The Prime Min«*th {*§ gih'e *■ very roUSh Suess at the probable loss in capital through the revaluation process, because it may take six months to complete, but ho hazarded ap estimate of two millions sterling, which a member suggested Would mean getting off lightly. The Bill has been referred to the Lands Committed, and to-day another measure of importance to the soldier will be introduced. It provides for the further relief of the incapacitated men. Discussion centred for thb first part of the afternoon upon the.annual report of the National Provident Fund Board, the Prime Minister stating that superannuation and pension charges had grown so enormously that they were causing the officers oi the Treasury particular uneasiness. Ihe House then settled down to the committal of a number of Bills., which were passed through in quick succession with comparatively little discussion. These were the Savings Bank Amendment Bill, the Look Islands = Amendment Bill and if-?i 0" Restriction Amendment - ■ t,-,! 16 of Aliens .Suspension Bill and the British Nationality and Status of Aliens (in New Zealand) Bill were discussed at greater length, the tormer being passed through its final stages, and the latter being read * second time. The Samoa Amendment Bill was deferred for possible amendment, me Chattels Transfer Amendment Bill was read a second time, and referred to tiie statutes Revision Committee.