HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 55, 13 September 1928, Page 12

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House of Eepresentatives met at 2.30 p.m. Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon (Westland) gave notice to ask whether a memorial would lie erected to the airmen who had been lost, in crossing the Tasman. Sea, also to those who were successful. Mr. J. G. EHott (Oroua) asked tho Minister in Charge of the Electoral Department whether the ballot papers for the forthcoming licensing poll had, yet been printed, and, if so, had provision been made for the submission to the electors of two or three issues. Tho Hon. A. D. M'Leod thanked tho member for giving him notice of the question. Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Avon): "Why, it's pretty easy, isn't it?" ' Mr. M'Leod said he had not had sufficient time to get a Departmental reply to the question, but he had been in touch with the Department by telephone. He understood that, in accordance with law, tho absent voters' ballot papers had been printed, but the printing of the largo number of papers that would be necessary for the General Election had not yet been undertaken. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. H. E. Holland): s J'How many issues are there on tho papers that have been. printed?" Mr. M'Leod: "That I can't say." Mr. \V. D. Lysnar (Gisborne): "You need not ask the question." Mr. M'Leod reiterated that only absentee voters' papers had yet beeu printed. The Leader of the Oppositioli (Mr. H. E. Holland) asked whether it was not a fact that the.whole of the ballotpapers had been printed, that they contained three issues, and if it was not a fact that the'orcler had beeu placed with a privately-owned printing establishment. Mr.' Holland asked, if this was so, would the Minister state tha Government's reason for diverting so large an order from the Government Printing Office, and was -it part of the Government's surrender to the propaganda of the "1928 Committee." The Hon. A. D. M'Leod replied that not 5 per cent, of the papers had been printed. No orders had been given to outside firms. According to custom, preparations were made with the Government Printing Office, and the Government Printer stated that unless a considerable amount of time was available the office would probably not be able to undertake the work. After the Licensing Bill had be"n disposed of it might be necessary to have the work done outside. Mr. W. E. Parry (Auckland Central): "Have not 100,000 been printed?" "About 100,000," replied the Minister. "The total number to be printed will be in the neighbourhood of 1,500,000. "The work of printing the ballot-papers had always been done at the Government Printing Office, and it would be done there again if tima permitted. The Industries and Commerce Committee reported on a number of petitions asking for the abolition of the cash-on-delivery system, and recommended that they should be referred, to the Government for favourable consideration. TAXATION ON HEAVY VEHICLES, The Committee also submitted its report on a, number of petitions asking; for relief in tho matter of taxation ou heavy motor vehicles. The Committee recommended the petitions should be referred to the Government for. favourable consideration, and expressed the view that the petitioners were entitled, to some relief. Mr. F. Waite (Clutha) said he did, not see how relief could be granted to owners of heavy motor vehicles unless ther* was an increase in the petrol taai He believed that those who used the roada should be made to pay for their upkeep. The present fees were the only remedy local bodies had against the owners of heavy vehicles. During the Committee proceedings he had voted against the report. Mr. J. S. Diekson (Parnell) congratulated the Committee on its report, and was surprised at Mr. Waite's speech. Not all of the heavy trucks were employed, and some of the firms owning them were losing money. The heavy; trucks used 25 gallons of petrol a day, and ft 2 10s a week had been paid on. these vehicles in petrol tax. The heavy; traffic fees should be reduced by half. Unless the heavy trucks ran long distances and were fully employed both' ways money was lost on them. The big cars did not pay for the upkeep of the roads, and they should be made to do so because they ran at a higher speed than the truck. A man who was struggling for a living by running a truck was penalised by having to pay such a heavy tax. Mr. J. A. Lee (Auckland East) commended Mr. Diekson on having turned round to rend legislation which he had voted for two years ago. Truly thero was more joy over one sinner who re* pented than over tho ninety and nine who needed no repentance. (Boars of! laughter.) He hoped Mr. Diekson's admonitions would not fall on deal; ears. (Proceeding.)