PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 37, 12 August 1930, Page 11

PARLIAMENT

TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The liouso of Representatives met at 2.30 ]■>.•/•!. to-day.

Mr, J. S. Fletcher '{Independent, Grey Lynn) intends to ask the Minister of Industries and Commerce if lie will have an inquiry made into the retail price of tea, as tlio disparity between the wholesale and retail prices seems to bo unduly harsh. Notice of his intention to introduce the Wellington City and Suburban Water Supply Amendment Bill was given by Mr. P. Fraser (Labour, Wellington Central^. Mr. "W. J. Jordan (Labour, Manukau) intends next sitting day to ask for leave to introduce the Painters' and Decorators' Health Protection Bill.

Mr. F. Langstone (Labour, Waimarino) gave notice to ask the Minister of Bailways whether it Was a fact that 1000 laminated springs bad been ordered from a Sydney firm, the springs to be supplied at the rate of 100 per week; what was the cost of landing these springs in Auckland under the tariff, and what would be the cost of manufacturing the springs in the New Zealand workshops. DUMPING- OF FOODSTUFFS. Mr. A. M. Samuel (Reform, Thames) drew attention to a cablegram in today's newspapers to the effect that the Russian Soviet was planning to dump large quantities of foodstuffs into England, including butter, thus affecting the produce imported from New Zealand and other Dominions. Mr. Samuel asked the Prime Minister as a matter of urgency whether, when he went Homo to. the Imperial Conference) he would, give this important question his attention, and sec what could be done to protect the New Zealand producer. The Prime Minister (tiie Hon. G. W. Forbes) said ho would be very pleased to go into the matter. It affected the question of preference to the Dominion, •which no doubt would come up for discussion at the, Conference. The Leader of the Labour Party (Mr. H. E. Holland): "Surely you would not take that cablegram to be anything more than propaganda?" , THE DEFENCE BILL. The Minister of Defence (the Hon. 3. G. Cobbe) gave notice to introduce the Defence Amendment Bill. Replying to the Leader of the Opposition, tho Prime Minister said he would endeavour to supply tho Hoxiso this evening with a statement showing the extra revenue received since tho passing of the Customs resolutions a month ago. .•■ . THE ESTIMATES. The Hoiis'o went into Committee of Supply on the Estimates. "I want to have a few words with the Postmaster-General said Mr. A. M. Samuel (Reform, Thames). He is no,t in his seat. It is the usual thing. He never is. (Laughter.) Mr. Samuel referred to tho dismissal of casual employees in the Post and Telegraph Department, and said the conditions under which these men were working were very harsh. Mr. P. Fraser (Labour, Wellington Central) hoped that the Minister of Health would give a definite reply to ths deputation which objected to the introduction of medical students into the St. Helens homes. He asked that the answer be given before the Public Health estimates were under' consideration, because if they received a reply ■before that time it would facilitate the passing of those estimates. ■ Mr. J. S. Fletcher (Independent, Grey Lynn) asked : if. the reductions niade in the Plunket Society and Karitano Homes votes were to be maintained.' . Colonel T. W. M' Donald (United, Wairarapa) asked the PostmasterGeneral to relievo the country telephone .subscribers of some of their lia-Tjilites,--as the burden they had. to bear at present was altogether too great. Mr: J. A. Young (Reform, Hamilton) expressed amazement at the reductions ■which had been made in the subsidies •to the :Plunket Society and the Karitano Home. He moved that tho salary of the Director-General of' Health be reduced by £1 as a protest against tho Government's action in reducing the votes. Mr. Young said that the society had collected £33,000 as-against the £15,000 voted by the Government last year. Parliament should give an instruction that whatever cuts" were made there should be no reduction in the vote for such a worthy object. The Chairman of Committees (Mr. 'TV. A. Bodkin) pointed out to Mr. -.Young that ho would have to wait until Hie Health Department vote was .reached before ho could move an amendment. (Proceeding.)