PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 78, 1 April 1936, Page 13

PARLIAMENT

TODAY'S PROCEEDINGS

;: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. today. Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Nationalist, Riccarton) gave notice of his intention of asking the Prime Minister whether he

would consent to legislation dealing

■ with currency control, the 40-hour ■i mi week, guaranteed prices, and other ,-,.,. matters going before a Parliamentary ..".', Committee, so that the evidence might "" be taken from those persons affected. Mr. A. C. A. Sexton (Independent

.•".■ Country Party, Franklin) gave notice *-<♦ of his intention to ask the Prime Mm!- --.'.» ister whether the Government would, '"". in view of the increase in the cost of ■'v' poultry feed, introduce a payable \\ ; guaranteed price for poultry farmers' "* products. Mr. W. A. Bodkin (Nationalist, Cen- '':"' tral Otago) gave notice to ask whether '■''": it was the Government's intention to '"!'' provide Coronation grants for local v bodies. , , _. • Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Nationalist, Riccarton) gave notice to ask the Minister of Mines iif the Government would abolish the gold export tax. Mr Sexton gave notice to ask the Minister of Customs if in view.of the low stocks of maize further shipments would be allowed in free to assist the poultry farmers. Mr. Sexton asked the Prime Mm- '■ ister (the Hon. M. J. Savage) whether, in view of the great uncertainty that. now exists among both mortgagors and mortgagees, he will "indicate whether the Government will • extend beyond April 30, 1936, the date within which notices must be given - under the Rural Mortgagors Final Ad- *» justment Act, 1934-35. Mr. Savage replied: "It is clearly indicated in the Statute, and has been publicly stated on several occasions, that the opportunity for taking advantage of the provisions of the Act would expire after twelve months from the date of the commencement of the Act. The nature of the legislation makes it desirable that there should be finality

in this respect. There is provision in < the existing legislation for the Court of """'.■Review to grant leave to apply after the expiry date in special cases where the Court is satisfied that the circum- . stances justify an extension of time, * and it is considered that, for the time '"'■■ being, this provision should adequately -;; me et the position. In.case the uncer- -■"••■• tainty relates to the question of - - whether or not mortgagors by filing '"J" an application under the Rural Mortgagors Final Adjustment Act would lose their rights under the Mortgagors and Tenants Relief Act, it may ■ be stated that the Government's proposals include the making of provision that such rights shall not auto- , matically lapse as at present by " reason of the filing of an application under the Rural. Mortgagors Final Adjustment Act. In any case it is not '■■• proposed to introduce legislation that " will prejudicially affect the rights of parties who utilise the existing legislation." The Wellington City Reclamation ■ and Empowering Bill was read a first *-'■■• time and referred to the Local Bills

-.'••.Committee. Z~ ■■ The Prime Minister moved that Mr. ""'■ E. J. Howard (Government, Christ- '"" church South) be appointed Chairman "■■'• of Committees of the House. This was '■■•-■ agreed to unanimously. Mr. Howard ■■- briefly returned thanks and he was ■■"■ congratulated by the Leader of the Opposition (the Rt. .Hon. G. .W\ , *" Forbes). .•■'...' . '.'.-'..'

UPPER HOUSE APPOINTMENT. - • A Bill was introduced validating the '"" appointment of Mr. Michael Connelly »-• as a member of the Legislative Coun- ...-- cil. The Prime Minister explained that the Bill was necessary as Mr. Con- -"••" nelly had been a civil servant, and ~- ". was not eligible for appointment. "I .'. knew that the Civil Service was leg- .,, roped," said Mr. Savage, "but I was not aware that it went to that ex- ~' - tent." He accepted full responsibility "' for the position. /;. Urgency was accorded the Bill. -~ Mr.. Savage explained that the ap- ".':. pointment would be validated as from """'■'. March 9. * " The Bill was passed. . ■ . (Proceeding.)