HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 149, 27 June 1930, Page 11

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House1 of Representatives met:,at 2.30 p.m. to-day

A petition was presented by Mr. K. M'Keen (Labour, Wellington South) on bohaff of John Miller, of Wellington, in regard to the law relating to land agents. Arguing1 that tho law as interpreted by lawyers docs not sufficiently safeguard moneys entrusted to land agents, the petitioner asks that tho law be so amended that moneys paid to a land agent by way of deposit for the purchase of a property may not bo appropriated if the land agent or his principal is unable to complete the transaction, and where the prospective purchaser complies with his part of thfi "contract and is not at fault.

Captain' H. M. Eushwdrth (Country Party, Bay of islands) gave notice to ask the Minister of Customs 'whether, following'the precedent recently established by the removal of duties from bran ruid pollard, ho'will now arrange for thd removal1 of duties from all crop foods. ' ■ '

RAILWAY DISMISSALS^"

Mr. J. A. Nash (Reform, Palmerston North) asked whether the Minister of Railways was aware that about 30 casual hands had been dismissed at the Palmerston North station, and whether •the' Minister would make provision for other employment for them. ■ The Minister .(the Hon. W. A. Veitch) said that he regretted very much that the railways at Palmerston North .had teen forced to dispense with tho services of these men. There was no work for-them, but he would see what could be done in the matter. Mr. ?W. E. Barnard ( Lai)., Napier) gave notice to introduce a Bill to amend the EamUy Allowances Act.

MAINTENANCE ORDERS RECIPROCITY. ,

Mr.'Barnard'asked the Minister of Justice whether, in view of the fact that no reciprocal arrangement exists between New Zealand and Scotland for the enforcement of maintenance orders, he will take immediate steps to secure such an- arrangement. • The Minister (the Hon. J. G. Cobbe) replied that no such steps ■ could be taken between New Zealand and any, other part of the British Empire unless there is a. similar Act in force in that other portion of the Empire. As no such Act was in force in Scotland no arrangements could be made to secure such • reciprocity with Scotland. In 1914 a Bill was introduced in the British House of Commons which included England, Ireland, and ■ Scotland. Itwas- held up for six years and finally was passed in 1920, but Scotland had not yet enforced it.

■' Mr. "W. E. Barnard (Labour, Napier) gave notice to ask the Minister of Labour whether he. is taking steps to increase the staff of the Labour Department. My. Barnard stated that the work of registering and placing the unemployed- had placed a heavy burden upon the officers of the Labour Department, and in one case at least the officer in charge of the loaa!. labour bureau was acting as secretary to an unemployment committee. «

Mr. H. T. Armstrong (Labour, Christehurch East) give notico to ask whothcr it is intended to introduce legislation extending benefits to settlers occupying sections in deteriorated land areas. ■

Tho Bating Amendment "Cill was introduced by Mr. 11. G. I?. Mason (Labour, Auckland Suburbs) and read a first time.'

(Proceeding.)