PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 58, 18 September 1928, Page 13

PARLIAMENT

TS-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS j HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES • The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Mr. W. D. Lysnar (Gisbornc) gave notice to movo certain amendments to the Licensing Bill. Mr. J. M'Combs (Lyttelton) gave notice to. ask the Minister of Agriculture, whether his intention lias been drawn to a statement that fruit fly is prevalent' in tho Cook Islands and whether in. the interests of the industry in New Zealand he will tako steps_ to prevent 'the pest being introduced into the Dominion. A COAL COMMISSION. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. H. E. Holland) asked whether a Commission would bo set up to inquire into the shortage of time worked at tho State mine. The Prime Minister (the Eight Hon. J. G. Coates) said he had not had sufficient time to make any extensive inquiries into the subject, but he would do so. He pointed out that the State mines were iv no different position from other large mines, and that just the same difficulties were experienced in getting orders and shipping. All that had an effect on the amount of work in the mines. He would take the question into consideration, and give information to the House later. HEAVY TRAFFIC FEES. Mr. H. Atmoro (Nelson) asked the Prime Minister whether it was tho intention of tho Government to give effect to the recommendation of the Industries aud Commerce Committee and grant some measure of relief in the matter of taxation on commercial vehicles. Mr. Coates replied that the question involved, was an economic one, and a very comprehensive one, too. Whether it was necessary to reduce the minimum rate by legislation was by no means definitely established, to his mind at any time. The whole question of reduction of heavy traffic fees involved quite a number of local authorities in respect to their own finances. Iv tho case of Wellington a difficulty would occur at once. Many other local authorities had drawn his attention to the fact that whatever reduction was made in heavy traffic foes would have to be made up in the form of revenue. The Government, however, would carefully consider the matter. He was not certain that it was necessary to have legislation unless a fee of £5 was considered to be too heavy for a minimum fee. He himself did not think £5 could be considered too heavy. The matter could be dealt with by regulation up to an amount of &5.. No stated amount of reduction had been given, but the decision would have to be considered carefully in view of the ■fact that the finances of every local authority in New Zealand was affected. MENTAL DEFECTIVES. Tho Mental Defectives Amendment Bill was reported from .the Public Health Committee, with amendments. 1 The Leader of the Opposition said he did not know the nature of the evidence given; but unless the Committee had made very radical alterations in some "sections of the Bill ho would suggest that tho measure stand over until next session. It would be utterly impossible to give tho deliberative consideration to the measure that it deserved in the short space of time bo- ■ fore tho session is closed. . Very great changes were proposed in'the Bill, covering a wido range of important changes, and the House was entitled to ask for sufficient time for their consideration. He referred to legislation which he said had been brought down hurriedly iv the past, and said he hoped that if the Government would not allow the present" measure to stand over, tho House would speak in no uncertain voice when the measure reached the Committee stage. Replying, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr. W. J. Girling (Wairau), said the Bill had been very materially . altered. (Proceeding.)