HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 27, 31 July 1924, Page 8

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m.

The Hon. J. A. Hanan (Invercargill) gave notice of his intention to introduce the Elections of Ministers and Party Government Reform Bill.

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. T. M. Wilford) stated his intention of asking the Minister in Charge of the Valuation Department whether he proposes to make a revaluation of the Hutt County ;.nd when, if it is done, from what date it will take effect.

Mr R. M'Keen (Wellington South) asked whether the Government had received an invitation to be represented at the Imperial Conference convened for October, and, if so, whether the invitation would be accepted. In the absence of the Prime Minister tha Hon. W. Downie Stewart replied that he had not had an opportunity of seeing the dispatches that might, have been received in connection with the matter. If Mr. M'Keen would repeat his question to-morrow afternoon he would try to find out the position in the meantime.

Mr. R. Masters (Stratford) asked the Minister of Lands whether it was the policy of the Lands Department to demand that an applicant for an abandoned soldier's section should put down 13^ per cent, deposit on the capital vaiue of the land.

Ihe Hon. A. D. M'Leod replied that it was not the policy to fix 10' percent in all cases. Where abandoned sections were put up to auction, he believed that tJis Department had carried out the policy of fixing 10 per cent., otherwise •applications were subject to investigation by the Lands Board, and if satisfactory proof could be produced of the aoihty of the soldier to successfully iarm the land, the 10 per cent, deposit was not always asked for. (Proceeding.)