PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 28, 2 August 1927, Page 11

PARLIAMENT

TO-DAY'S BUSINESS

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. to-day. Replying to the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. H. E. Holland), tho Prime Minister said that after tho presentation of the Budget to-night, there will be answers to questions to-morrow, followed by private members' Bills tomorrow and on Thursday. On Friday the debate on the Financial Statement would be commenced.

The Hon. D. Buddo (Kaiapoi) asked •whether tho Minister of Public Works would pass legislation to provide for additional representation of the South Island on the Main Highways Board. The Leader of tho Opposition gave notice to ask the Prime Minister whether he was aware that American redwood weatberboarding was being used in the latest batch of workers' home's at Lot. .i Hutt, and whether he considered this was fair to the large number of timber workers in tho Dominion who were out of employment. Mr. E. J. Howard (Christchurcii bouth) asked the Minister of Finance whether legislation was being brought down validating votes from public bodies for unemployment purposes. The Minister (the Hon. W. Downic Stewart) said he understood that under the Harbours Act the revenue of a harbour board could only be applied for' shipping purposes, for improvements to the harbour, and for improving conditions in regard to" shipping. The range of expenditure allowed to harbour boards was very restricted. The subject of validations of votes from public bodies for unemployment purposes might require to be discussed at a conference of harbour, boards.

Mr. V. H. Potter (Boskill) raised the question whether British typewriters were to bo used in New Zealand Government Departments. At present, he aaid, foreign machines were used. He also asked whether British motorcars would be given preference to foreign cars. He also wanted to know whether New Zealand timber could not be used in Government contracts. Mr. Potter said he wanted to know the fees and conditions of appointment of the Government Inspector of Stores in the United Kingdom.

Mr. J. A. Lee (Auckland East) remarked that the goods iv the railway refreshment rooms were imported, and he considered that preference should be given to the New Zealand products. Mr. E. J. Howard said we could Jake a point from the Australian stations in that • matter. There illuminated signs indicated that the goods sold in the refreshments rooms were locally made, and he thought something like that should be done in New Zealand, especially in respect to jams, confectionery, biscuits, etc. Local manufactures could be exploited much better than they were at present. Mr. G. W. Forbes (Hurunui) asked for an assurance that proper check was kept on the distribution of Government stores. There had been criticism on this matter in the past, and they re-membered-what the Government Auditor had said. Wherever possible, the Government should purchase goods made locally. Mr. F. F. Hoekly (Rotorua) enumerated the advantages of the board system of controlling stores.

The Minister of Public Works (the lion. K. S. Williams) said that British typewriters were now being adopted in the Government Departments. The Departments had.found, that in some parts o'£ New Zea]and it was more economical to use American ears, but tests T^ere being made to ascertain whether British cars could not be employed. "Wherever possible New Zealand manufactured articles were used in railway refreshment rooms.

_ The Auditor and Controller-General, added the Minister, had expressed complete satisfaction at the system of stores eontro'..

The Minister of Internal Affair's, the Hon. B. P. Bollard, laid on the table the annual report of the Internal Affairs Department.

Mr. J. A. Nash (PaJmerston North) complained that loans could not be obtained from the Government for the erection of fire stations. There was no reason why they should not be in any different position from other local bodies.

(Left Sitting.)