TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 32, 6 August 1930, Page 11

TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House of Representatives met nt. 2.'60 to-day-Mr. W. Nash (Labour, Hutt) intends tv ask the Prime Minister when he proposes to set up the Basic Wage Koyal Commission in accordance with the intention expressed by Sir Joseph Ward. Mr. J. S. - Fletcher (ludependont, Groy Lynn) gave notice to ask the Minister of Public Works if it was a fact that there was only sufficient water at Waikaremoana during the recent dry spell to drive two .of the turbines; whether the Wellington City Council had been called upon to supply power, to make up tho deficiency-; and whether the consumers would bo charged for the extra power. He Maintained that it was unfair to ask the Auckland consumers, who had boon put to great expense with Arapuni, to make further payments. The Hon. W. Downie Stewart (Eeform, Dunedin West) intends to ask the Minister of ' Internal Affairs whether he was aware of the growing dissatisfaction with regard to the wholesale issue of art union permits, and whether the Governmnefc has any policy in regard to the matter. Mr. Stewart also intends to ask the Prime Minister whether in filling the vac.-uiVy on the directorate of the ' Bank of New Zealand he will appoint a representative of-Dunefiin in view of the large number of financial _ institutions with managers in that city. Mr. Fletcher, asked the Minister of Internal Affairs whether he would have the picture now being shown at the Regent- Theatre, "Anna Christie," withdrawn, on the ground that it might h;ive a pernicious influence. The Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle said ho had not seen the picture, but he would have inquiries made. Mr. P. Fraser (Labour, Wellington Central): "Anna Christie'! What rot!" Mr. E. J. Howard (Labour, Christchurch South): "It's the .finest picture ever put on." The Wellington City Betterment Bill was introduced, .and read a first time on the motion of Mr. E. M'Keen (Labour, Wellington South). Tho Wellington City-Milk Supply Amendment Bill was introduced and read a first time on tho motion of Mr. W. 11. Field (Reform, Otaki). The allegation that no notice was given of the closing of the rolls of the lri\-ercargill by-election, and that between 500 and GOO voters were defranchised was made by Mr. A, Harnil'ton (Beform, Wallace). : In reply, the Minister, in Charge of the. Electoral Department (the Hon. If. Atmore) read an advertisement from a local paper notifying the closing of the rolls. He said that ,with compulsory enrolment it was not really necessary, to notify the closing of the rolls. It was not right to say that between 500. and' 600 people were affected. ; It was. decided that to-day's sitting be: extended iintil midnight. FINANCIAL DEBATE. The Financial Debate was resumed. Mr. E. F. Healey (United, Wairau) said that it was certainly unfortunate that the Government had had to impose an "increase in taxation, but tho increase had been warranted by the drop in the price, for..primary products. It was essential that.the. .Budget-..should balance,- "and the Prime -Minister was to be congratulated on tho way. he had spread the burden. The allowing of free barley into the Dominion would seriously affect many of the farmers in. his*-constituency, because of the competition from Tasmania. Wheat could bo grown on much of the land, but taijey.'took less out of the ground, and this. was a big consideration. ..;.-■ (Proceeding.)- . ; ."