PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 98, 28 April 1931, Page 10

PARLIAMENT

TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House of Representatives met at ! 12 noon to-day. , i Mr. J. T. Hogan (Independent, Rangi- ' tikei) asked the Prime Minister if he • was prepared to make a statement to '• the House regarding the Government's ■ proposals for (1) reducing or abolish- ] ing the import duties on wheat and ] flour; or (2) reducing the excessive cost • of converting wheat into flour in New ; Zealand; or (3) reducing tho price of • flour and bread. . ' The Prime Minister (the Right Hon. ' G. W. Forbes) replied that he was not < in a position to make a statement at ! present owing to the great amount of business he had had to do during the i session, but he hoped to be able to make a statement in a day or two, after : going thoroughly into the question and : having regard for the discussion in the House last week. Mr. W. D. Lysnai- (Independent, Gisborne): "Knock the duty ■ out.'' RETRENCHED EX-SOLDIERS. Mr. W. Nash (Labour, Hutt)'asked the Minitser of Defence whether it was correct that tho recently retrenched soldiers under the Defence Department had not been allowed their accrued leave or money to tho value thereof, to which they were entitled under tho provisions of General Order No. 416 of 1927 of the New Zealand Defence Forces. He said that a General Order was published upon the authority of a signed agreement between tho Minister of Defence, tho General Officer Commanding tho New Zealand Military Forces; the Public Service Commissioner, and tho Secretary of the Treasury. In reply, tho Minister of Defence (tho Hon. J. G. Cobbe) said that he had received very short notice of the question and preferred to give a written answer. DOMESTIC SERVANTS. Mr. W. Nash asked the Prime Minister, (1) Whether a representative of the Government is still travelling in Scotland for. the purpose of engaging domestic servants; (2) whether the Government representative referred to ■ is guaranteeing employment to experienced domestic servants; (3) whether in view of the serious financial stringency and unemployment prevailing in the Dominion he will immediately cancel all arrangements for free passages and ° The Prime Minister replied that the matter was news to him. He had been informed that immigration of tho form mentioned by Mr. Nash had entirely ceased, but he would have further inquiries made. FERTILISERS FOR FARMS. Mr. W. L. Martin (Labour,' Eaglan) asked tho Prime Minister whether he was in a position to make a further statement regarding the intention of the Government in regard to the supply of fertilisers to farmers. The Prime Minister said he had been in communication with thg Public Trustee as to the best method of granting assistance, and ho would make a statement as soon as possible. LAUNDRY CONTRACT. Mr. VV. Nash called the attention of the Minister of Railways to the fact that the transfer of the Kailway. Department's contract for laundry work to the Prisons Department had resulted in an extension of unemployment, and asked tho Minister whether he would, in the interests of the Dominion, arrange to place the contract with the lowest, tenderer in the, southern railway district. "The-contract was let to the lowest tenderer," replied the Minister of Railways (the Hon. W. A. Veitch), "but I will be glad to give further consideration to the honourable- gentleman's representations." . DUTY ON CHERRIES. ■Colonel M'Donald asked whether the Government would give urgent notice to the Australian Government that it intended to alter the duty on cherries, so as to operate in the season 193^. In reply, tho Prime Minister said that the reciprocal duties between Australia and New Zealand were at present under review. EARTHQUAKE-RESISTING SCHOOLS. Mr W. Nash also asked wJial. financial provisions were being, made by the Government to rcduco the dangers from earthquako in connection with schools and other public buildings. The Minister of Education (the Hon. H Atmore) said that immediately after the earthquake he had issued an instruction for tho suspension of work on school buildings under construction. The Minister of Public Works had agreed that work on every school building in the Dominion should be inspected by an officer of the Public Works Department. Quite a number of reports had been received, and steps had been taken to remedy defects which had been pointed out, with a view to making' tho buildings perfectly safe. That course would be pursued, and members could rest assured that schools throughout the Dominion would be made safe. So far as possible wood was being used in the construction of singlestory buildings right through New Zealand. A very fine, type of school was being designed, one of which would be erected shortly on tho old Terrace Gaol site, while others were, to be built in Hawkes Bay. ■ . Mr M. J. Howard (Labour, Chnstehurcii South): "Will the report iiT regard to buildings be available to school committees?" Mr. Forbes: "I will be pleased to show the report to any member."