YESTERDAY’S PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 19614, 21 July 1927, Page 10

YESTERDAY’S PARLIAMENT

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL fPf.R United Press Associatios.J WELLINGTON, July 20. Scum days’ leave of absence was <:raiited to .Mr J. (1. Gun- ami. throe days to Mr E. i.L Clark on account of illness. The Justices of the Peace Bill was received from the House and road a first time. • The Captive Birds’ Shooting Prohibition Bill was put through its Huai stages without discussion and passed. The Council adjourned at 2.50 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr W. A. Veitch (Wanganui) gave notice of his intention to introduce the Agricultural Bank Bill. Replying to Mr P. Fraser (Wellington Central), Mr A. ID. AHLeod said the Department of Industries and Commerce was not aware of any proposed increase in the wholesale and retail price of coal from Monday next. Inquiries were, however, being made, and if the facts were as stated the Government would consider what steps (if any) should he taken, in a further reply to Mr Fraser, Mr Anderson said it was not intended to increase the retail price of State coal. The following local Hills were introduced and read a first time;—Whangarci Harbor Board Vesting and Empowering Bill (Mr W. Jones), Wellington City Empowering and Amendment Bill (Mr R. A. Wright), Matai Road Water Race District Bill' (Mr Macmillan), Wellington City' and Suburban Districts Ambulance Transport Service Bill (Sir John Luke). Mr P. Fraser (Wellington Central) objected to the Wellington Ambulance Transport Service Bill, on the ground that it- was a wanton multiplication of local bodies.—Sir John Luke (Wcliington North) said he was as much against the multiplication of local bodies ns anyone, but this was a case of necessity, the urgency of which- he would explain on the second reading. The remainder of the sitting was occupied in discussing answers given by Ministers to questions .put since the session opened. Amongst others, Ministers gave the following answers to questions ;

That the matter of amending the Rating Act in the direction of providing that all property occupied and used by the Royal Society for tho Promotion of the Health of Women and Children in connection with Plnnkct work shall be exempt from local body rating will be taken into consideration- when any amendments to tho Rating Act are in contemplation. That tho Government has under consideration proposals with the object of facilitating farmers’ and a statement of the Government’s intentions will be made to the House in due course. That the Government considers that what is being done by the State and local bodies should suffice to Die present unemployed difficulties. That it is not intended to amend either the old ago pension or the pen sions for the blind law this session. The Government is _ considering the question of an Invalidity Pension Bill. That the question of contributory pensions is before tbo Government noiv. It is not proposed to amend the Act ia the direction of establishing orphans pensions this session. That the question ol introducing legislation this session to impose a tax on petrol to meet the cost of the upkeep of roads has not yet been considered by the Government. That it will be impossible t-o grant any salary increases to head teachers during this financial year. That it- is not considered necessary to appoint an assistant Public Service Commissioner at present. That although the State Advances Department is continuing to receive a large number ol applications tor loans to erect dwelling houses, it i.s not correct to state that the housing problem is-still acute throughout the dominion Applications are being dealt with by the Advances Office as expeditiously a.s possible commensurate with the hinds available The question _of providing further finance is receiving the consideration of the Government.

That a parliamentary committee will be set up to consider tho Royal Commission’s report on rural finance as toon as certain proposals now in course of preparation have been completed. That tho opportunity of considering the question of taking a referendum on the licensing question in _ tho King Country will arise on tho introduction of tho Licensing Bill. That it is not. proposed to amend the existing land law in the direction of giving Crown tenants larger representation on land boards. That the Government will give a subsidy of £ for £ up to £SOO to the Girl Guide movement. That it is considered Hie present i.s an inopportune time to consider tho making of any increase in the amount of “ unauthorised ” expenditure allowed to loeal bodies. The House rose at. 0.47 a.m.