HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 76, 27 September 1927, Page 11

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

- The House of Representatives met at 3,30 p.m.- to-day. Mr. T, M, Wilford.(Hutt) gave nptice to ask the Minister for Customs whether, in constructing his Tariff proposals, he -will provide a separate item under the heading No. 353, Hardware, Holloware, etc., so that all imported cast iron porcelain enamel baths and enamelware should have an increase of at least 15 per-cent. on the British pre-, ferential tariff. "Cast iron porcelain enamel baths and articles which can-be manufactured in conjunction. with works of that description are being made in the Dominon, and New Zealand manufactured pig iron is being u»ed in-producing the same," said Mr. Wilford.

Th!e .Minister of Justice (the Hon. 3?. J. TJolleston) gave' notice of his intention to introduce ,the Magistrate's Court Amendment Bill.'

Me E. J. Howard (Christchurch South), asked' the Minister of- Labour' if his attention had been called to a statement made by the Prime Minister in the. North yesterday that all immigration had ceased until next December, •*hen the. question would be further reconsidered whereas an immigrant ship with 300 immigrants on' board had arrived at Auckland yesterday. Tho Prime Minister had stated that the immigrants were all proceeding to employment. * Could ' tho Minister say where that employment was to bo found, and why New Zealand unemployed had not been sent to it?

The Minister of Labour (the Hon. G, 3t Anderson) asked for tho question to M put on the Order Paper.

PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE,

Ob the presentation of the annual report of. .the Public Trust Office, Mr. i 0. W. Forbes (Hurunui) said that, although the Public Trust .Office had been criticised, he, thought- it- enjoyed the confidence of the, public. , There had been no signs of dissatisfaction or discontent during tho last few years. A great deal of. expedition was now used I in. the administration of estates, and he thought Now Zealand should be proud of tho work that the institution was accomplishing. Mr. ,W.-D. Lysnar (Gfisborne) suggested that the time had arrived when some provision should be mado for the State to^reeeive some consideration for its guarantee" of the' Public Trust Office. Mr, Wilford thought tnat the amount payable by ; benpficiaries of all estates on the. collection of insurance moneys which'fell due' on the. .death of rdministratora should be reduced. He thought that wise selection had been shown in the appointment Of agents of the Public Trust Office in tho various towns. No complaint mado to him regarding the Public -Trust Office had ever been, substantiated.--Ho did not think the. Public Trustee would over make losses on loans, as tho office was a most conservative institution. tL^BP^V o'* 'OT"» the ■PubUo rrust, Qfljea it would-bo a. blow which would seriously 'affect New Zealand., The Office dealt in millions, and they should all be careful as to how they criticised it.

T.^* wXV- Eh°aea (Thames) said tho Public. Trust Office w,as most admirably managed,'and it showed evidence of most capable administration. Mr. J. A. Nash (Palmerston North) considered that the present administration of. thc-Officef-'was-all tKat could be desired. It had done remarkably well in reducing the cost of local body loans. i

Mr E. J. Howard (Christchurch South) gaid it was pleasing to hear one member after another . praising what the State could do in tho way of a Socialistic, institution'./Tho Public Trust Offioe Had not been made a party football, and_ it showed' what could be done on Socialistic lines if they only attempted it. " .

The Minister of Labour (the Hon. G. J. Anderson) said there was no trouble betwoen ■ the banks and the Public Trust. Office. A nominal foe only was charged for colecting insurance moneys.

(Left sitting.)