POLITICAL POINTS

Evening Star, Issue 18021, 15 July 1922, Page 8

POLITICAL POINTS

[From Oto Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, July 14. PARTIES ON COMMITTEES. It is customary for members of the Opposition to complain on the setting up of parliamentary committees of the preponderance of Government members, and when these motions were submitted today there was the usual protest. In one instance, where fifteen members constituted the committee, twelve claimed allegiance to the governing party, and Dr Thacker asked Mr Massey if this favoring of his friends could be considered fair play. "To think that the whole of the brarna to the extent of twelve'to three are on the other side of the House is incomprehensible,” ha averred. The Labor Party’s lament came soon after. The personnel of the Minos Committee did not include Mr Parry’s name, and 13s colleagues eulogised his abilities as a practical miner. The Minister contended, however, that ho had chosen practical men, and refused to make any alteration. Thereupon Labor Party exercised its last resource, and called for a division on the motion, but was heavily defeated. * a ® o COST OP EDUCATION AND THE HARVEST. The Minister of Education confessed that of the total increase in departmental expenditure of recent years his department accounted for £2,760,000 for _ increased salaries. Ho was prepared to justify the expenditure, of which ho gave details, stating that ono reason, besides largo increases in salaries, was due to his desire when ho took office to encourage young people fo enter the teaching profession, so that teachers would be free from sweating conditions. Ho found teachers in charge of classes of between eighty and ninety children, but owing to larger staffs ho hoped next year to get _ the classes down so that none were over sixty, and eventually to reach the ideal of fortyfive per teacher. New Zealand’s educational expenditure from the Consolidated Fund had gone up, but nothing in proportion to that of many other countries. France had increased its education vot© since the war five-fold. Mr Howard: They will reap a rich, harvest. , , The Minister cordially concurred, declaring that only by education on right lines would the people bo able to think for themselves and sift the true from the false. Labor “ Hear, hears ” were so emphatic that the Minister was .provoked to eay he was looking for results not on the same lines as the non. gentleman. The Prime Minister, hard pressed as ho was, had not stinted him. « « * tf ARTERIAL ROADS. PROGRESS TOWARDS LEGISLATION Contrary to some reports, the Minister of Works indicated to-day that the Government is on its plans for legislation dealing with the main roads problem. He was asked by Mr J. R. Hamilton if local bodies would have an opportunity of considering any proposed measure. Members asked the questioner if he meant they should get a chance to kill it. Hou. G. J. Coates; “1! I remember aright the hon. member was not prepared to face a Main Roads Bill last session.” Ho explained that following the recent conference on the subject, it was intended to diraft a _ circular to_ local bodies and motor associations, but it was now felt that the draft of the actual proposals would bo better _ for their consideration aud the preliminary draft was ready. Discussion would now take place on the detoils. Ho felt they had got a great deal nearer towards what they were trying to do, and was vciy of beino* able to frubinit -sonicthing to the House with the object of providing a workable solution of tiio main roads problem. . .... . Sir John Lute: Are you holding on to the tyre tax? The Minister (with emphasis): Must assuredly. a«* # _ GUARANTEED MORTGAGES. IMPORTANT POINT FOR CONSIDERATION. The Prime Minister promised Mr Wilford to-day to refer lo < the Crown Law Office an important point in connection with the moratorium, as ho quite understood that guarantors of mortgages had in some cases found tthcmsclves in difficulties. Mr Wilford had explained that guarantors of mortgages usually expected that if they paid interest and arrears that their obligation wan completed until tho term of the mortgage expired, but there was a clause of the mortgage given to fanners wlio li&d been assisted by imandal institutions which provided that m the event of interest being unpaid for twenty-one days the principal tell quo* Many who had guaranteed mortgages were in ignorance of this clause, and they received no intimation of interest being overdue until they were notified to repay arrears of interest and tho whole of tho pn^P® l - * # * « SOLDIERS’ HOUSES. ORDER OF PREFERENCE. There must bo very general discontent over the returned soldiers’ failure io obtain assistance to build bouses, because so many members show interest mi he matter. At question time Mr Sullivan raised it to-day, and secured from the Hon. D. H. Guthrie a statement of the order of preference for these grams. There was only a small amount of money available, and the department was giving preference to three classes. It would give grants to soldiers who had been in hospital, and therefore had no previous chance of mailing application. It would also consider the cases of tubercular soldiers for tho same reason. The department also considered tho cases of kcmlhm-s who, from their gratuity or other private money, provided ilicmselves with .a seetion and wished to secure a grant lor a house. After them had to come me a whoso applications were on the books and who were considered on their merit-, special attention -being given to cases of hardship owing to tho difficulty of getting hemes, ... A demand from Mr Nash for specific reasons why a number of applications for grants for soldiers’ houses had_ been turned down was met by the Minister with the statement that some specifications were far too elaborate, and the Advisory Board had to return them for amendment, so us to secure a less extravagant dwelling. Mr Holland asked if the Government would guarantee to make the grants fully covering houses, as many men had to raise second mortgages at 10 per cent, to complete their contracts. Tho Minister replied that this touched on what ho had mentioned, as the department tried to induce soldiers to build houses within their means; but it was a difficult task. Ho held out no hope of increasing tho amount of advance. * * » » THE SOCIAL PERIL. According to the Minister of Health, there has been a bug rush for nomination to the special committee to consider and report on measures to mitigate venereal disease, cither hy legislation or other- ■ wise. He told Mr Sullivan, who asked for repreeentation for a woman’s organisation, that seven such bodies had sent forward nominations totalling forty-seven; but he assumed from this that they had strong views on one side, and he was not going to accept these nominations. _ The committee would lie wholly constituted from members of the Board of Health—viz'., Dr Volintine (Director of Public Health), Director-General Sir _ Donald M'Gavin, (head of the Army Medical Service), tho Hon. W, H. Triggs, Dr J. S. Elliott (representing the British Medical Association), Mr W. Fraser (representing hospital boards), and Lady Luke (who would represent the women of New Zealand)

COMPULSORY UNIONISM. Two aspects of compulsory subscription to unions were ventilated in tho House this afternoon as a result of Mr Nash renewing his question to the Minister of Labor asking whether tho latter would investigate a statement made in a recent court case that, before a man could commence work on the wharf ho had fo pay £2 Ss to tho union. Tli© Minister explained that the sum was made up of an entrance fee of ss. annual subscription fee in advance, and sundry levies. He understood that the authorities were satisfied that the charges were according to rule, and perfectly legal. Pressed by members, thei Hon. G. J. Anderson mentioned that sundry levies included £1 as a general fighting fund. Mr Nash : Now we are getting to It, Mr Anderson ‘added that ho understood that the same rules held in other unions, but concluded significantly that h® had nn idea that hon. members would have the opportunity _of expressing an opinion on. it later on in the session. Mr Parry immediately asked tho Minister if ho would have inquiries made late charges which wore made on members of the Land Agents’ Union,’and ff it were true that those not joining werro victimised in consequence. An Hon. Member j That was Bottled by Bill last session, Tho Minister said that tho matter did not coma under tho jurisdiction « his department. * # » ft ' MORE ABOUT UNEMPLOYMENT 1 Is it the intention of tho Govenunenti to more fully absorb tho unemployed, and when? was the question put to Mr sey by Mr Mitchell to-day. The qa»» tionor pointed; out that In Wellington there wexo at least over 500 cases of gen' nine unemployment. Ho was ©ware that the Government had 4CO men on relief work in tho district, hut ho wished to draw tho Prime Minister's attention to the fact that while some local bodies" were doing something to assist, others, were doing nothing. Did ho not think eoa® pres* sure should bo brought on the latter. “I can’t promise that tho Government will bo ablei to do very much mono,” replied! Mr Massey. As ho had mentioned yesterday, the ‘Government had 7,000 men in, its employ, 2,000 being on refief work, and it required a very large sum of money to pay them. Ho would like to see come local bodies doing more, A Member: Tho law restricts them, because they cannot spend money without taking a loan poll. Mr Massey i Well, I think there Is something in that. Mr Nash: They have nearly all taken loan proposals, and can spend money as they like. Dr Thacker interjected that as it was the Government’s policy to help those who help themselves, why had the Prime Minister not done something for Christchurch ? Mr Massey i I havo yet to learn that Christchurch has done anything. Dr Thacker -. The Christchurch City Council spent £1,500 in relief work. _ Mr Massey: “I am glad to hear it.” He continued that he thought it better to provide work only under Government control, and to allow local bodies to cany out work that they thought most suitable to themselves. That was the lino the Governuient intended to take, and he did not think it would go very far wrong. « « « * AMUSEMENT TAX LEGISLATION. Tho Prime Minister gave tho House assurance to-day that it will havo tho opportunity of dealing with the amusement tax legislation this sessiS-i. Ho had been asked by Mr Nash io exempt a competition society which carried on a valuable educative work. Tills member explained that in Palmerston North there was a big musical competition, and it would take the promoters all their time to meet expenses without having to pay the tax. Mr Massey said he could only repeat the promise that the House would ho given the opportunity _ of amending tho amusement tax legislation this session. * * * ■» FREIGHT ON LINSEED. Tho Prime Minister has advised Mr Forbes that the associated shipping companies have reduced the rate of freight on linseed exported to England from 150 s per ton weight, plu® 10 per cent, primage, to 60s per ton weight, plus 10 per cent, primage. .