POLITICAL POINTS

Evening Star, Issue 20310, 19 October 1929, Page 4

POLITICAL POINTS

PRIVATE FIRMS AND PROVIDENT _ FUND [Fjiojx Out! Parlumextxht Repo torn.] ■WELLINGTON, Octqbbr 18. When the National Provident’-and Friendly, Societies’ vote, was being considered hy the House to-day Mr Harris (Waitemata) asked how many firms had come under the National, Rrovi 1 ;dorit scheme since the recent amending ‘legislation had been, introduced. Mr Harris pointed out that the amendments made a session or two ago enabled private firms to bring their employees under the provisions of the scheme in a manner similar to tho ■privilege enjoyed by local authorities. - Thu.,Hon. J. B. Donald (Minister in - charge of the department) replied •that so.me forty firms had taken advantage of the privilege, and the department; had:;; done a great deal of work in' connection with the matter. It was hoped that a great many more firms would ;corc3 under the scheme in the near future. Mr Donald agreed with the member for Wellington Suburbs 'that is was very desirable that as many people as possible should be brought into the National Provident Fund .scheme, with a view to ensuring that - their annuities would render them independent of State assistance in; their old age. * * • • MAKING PIGS’ SNOUTS. Pigs’ snouts and the ease with which they, could be manufactured was the subject of a somewhat humorous little speech on the State Forest Estimate. 1 - by the Reform, member for Clutha Mi' F. Waite, who urged the Ministe not to increase the bonus on snouts i 2s; “If he does increase it to 2s In will be responsible for reviving a ven profitable industry,” explained M. Waite, who said that he had know) men,bn farms to employ wet days very profitably in the manufacture of snout: with a bit of pig’s hide and a gimlet There were some who could make a really good imitation , snout, which cbiild "bo‘ presented' for' payment of the bonus. He knew thnt it.could be done, and that it,, had been a profitable industry. (Laughter.) . A Reform- Colleague; - Were you one of the, ringleaders? . ... ,* ... • Mr Waite (laughing): Well’ if the Minister raises - the. ;. bounty to •2s •»« snout it... would pay me better, to go back to that than to conic here.’ (Laughter.J _ : Mr Kyle (Riccarton) also asked the. Minister not to increase -the bonus. Ha had: heard. it said that snouts ot pigs , killed at the slaughter houses had been passed off oh officers, Who paid the bonus, on - them as - those of wild’ pigs. _ Some of the slaughtered pigs had ringed shouts,- but Mr? Kyle was not sure that tho departmental officers could distinguish' between the wild pig and the animal fromHhb-’farm!

Mi Samuel (Thames) : .You- think it might .be a !base /of ;ringing-ini' (Laughter.) The Minister (Mr Taverner) said the extermination process was going to be expensive, and if Is a snout was not going to oe effective, then more would have to be paid. Investigations were being made into the general question now.