TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 32, 7 August 1923, Page 8

TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. ■ Mr. R. M'Keen (Wellington South) asked the Prime Minister if he was aware that, owing to the Wellington Farmers' Meat Company, Masterton, going into liquidation, a number of the employees had been deprived of certain moneys due to them,, and whether he would see that they obtained the moneys due.

The Prime Minister stated that he had only heard about the company going into liquidation. So far as the money to the employees was concerned, it was not his business to act as liquidator. The directors of the company were honouiv able men, and he did not think the men would lose a penny piece." He would see that the men suffered no loss in wages if he could help it. His impression was that the employees would have first claim in the matter of wages. Replying to a question asked by Mr. L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North) about housing.,in Christchurch, the Prime Minister gave an assurance that he would do all he could to assist the Christchurch City Council's scheme. Mr. L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North) gave notice to ask whether the Primn aiimster would introduce legislation providing that licenses of taxi-drivers convicted of drunkenness should be cancelled.

Mr. W. A. Veitch (Wanganui) gave notice to ask the Minister of Railways it ne will favourably consider the desirability of setting up a board of in vestigation to deal with matters in dispute between the General Manager of Railways and the departmental em ployess, and whether he will refer the matter to the Railways Committee.

TROTTING PERMITS. _ Speaking to the motion for the adoption of a trotting club petition, T m '-i^«dei^ of -the °PP°siti°n (Mr. i. M. Gilford) said that so far as trotting permits were concerned, Wellington had been unjustly treated, and he wished to ask the Minister if he would see the city was given better treatment in the matter. Only one day's trotting was allocated to the Wellington Trotting Club, and the revenue derived was not sufficient to enable the club to improve their course and buildings. The number of days sought was four, and he asked the Minister to give the Trotting Club what it was entitled to. Ha could see no reason why flat racing should be given preference over, trotting, and he hoped the anomaly would be set right and Wellington would get its fair share. Mr. J. A. Nash (Palmerston North) urged that there should be a more equitable distribution of trotting permits. Then there would be no complaints.

Mr. G. W. Forbes (Hurunui) thought it absurd that it was not possible for clubs to have their permits altered from one class of racing to another, and suggested an amendment giving the Minister the necessary power.

(Left Sitting.)