POLITICAL POINTS

Evening Star, Issue 19615, 22 July 1927, Page 11

POLITICAL POINTS

/ MEMBERS" USELESS PRIVILEGES [Feoh Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WI3LGINGTON. July 21. Though' he had. survived the point of order raised in opposition to the introduction of his Bill seeking to extend the benefits of workers’ compensation for accidents, Mr Howard (Christchurch South) was -frankly pessimistic about its final chances. “It Aviii go to the committee stage,” he said, “and he forwarded on to a select committee, which will report that it should ho allowed to proceed, and then it will go to the wastepaper basket. That is the end of all private members’ Bills, and it is just as well that people outside should understand that a private member has no power in introducing Bills such as this.” i * * * * PRICE OF STATE COAL.

There was no intention of increasing the retail price of State household coal at the depots, said the Minister of Mines in the House when replying to Mr Fraser (Wellington Central), who was anxious to know whether the Minister was aware 'hat the wholesale price had been advanced by Is fid per ton on Wednesday. Had this advance been made in collusion with the Westport Coal Company, and bad a policy “of assisting in exploitation ” been r-ttn Wished? Although the wholesale price had been increased by Is fid per ton there would ha no increase In 'be retail price at the depots, said the Minister; * * * * CENTRAL OTAGO ELECTRICAL LOAN. The Governor in Council has exempted the Central Otago Electric Power Board’s proposed loan from the procedure undei the Loeal'Government Loans Board Act, ana has approved of the loan of £IO,OOO for electrical works. The board has applied for permission to raise £2,000 immediately, and the Minister of Finance has fixed interest at a rate not exceeding 6 per cent .