YESTERDAY’S PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 20592, 18 September 1930, Page 2

YESTERDAY’S PARLIAMENT

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL [Per United Press Association.] Tho Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Kirkpatrick Masonic Institute Empowering Bill was read a third time and passed. ■ Thg Dunedin Waterworks Extension Bill, the Dunedin District Drainage and Sewerage Amendment Bill, and the Waiapu Comity Council Empowering Bill were put through their final stages and passed. The Council rose at 2.40 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. The Managers of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Congregation (Oamaru) Bill was read a third time and passed. The debate was resumed on the presentation of the report of the Agricultural and Pastoral Industries Committee on the Meat Export Control Amendment Bill. Mr H. G. Dickie (Patea) maintained that the cost of the administration of_ the Meat Board in London was excessive and could be reduced. The hoard had done little or nothing to assist the producers in the fight against tho big combines at Home. Mr F. Waite (Cliitha) said the House should give very careful consideration to the subject before it proceeded to alter the system of election to the board. Mr W. L. Martin (Raglan) said the Bill sought to eliminate the trade and Government representatives from the board, and he hoped the House would give serious consideration to the proposals contained in the measure. Mr C. E. Macmillan (Tauranga) said he did not think the method of electing the board should be altered. Mr J. Bitcliener (Waitaki) stated that ho had_ never heard one producer in his district express any wish for a change in the ssytem of election. Ho thought there should bo a vote of those interested before any change was made. Mr T. D. Burnett (Terauka) expressed the opinion that there was no necessity for a change. There was ample protection under the present Act against the operations of trusts and combines. Mr W. J. Poison (Stratford) said there was a strong demand from a certain section of tho fanning community at all events for a change to a democratic method of election. The Farmers’ Union had definitely expressed itself in favour of a change in tho method of electing the board. Mr T. W. M‘Donald (Wairarapa) considered that if the Bill were passed it would go a long way towards making the board the success it should be. Replying to tho debate, Mr F. Lye (Waikato), chairman of the committee, said he did not think any reasonable objection could be taken to the method or election proposed in the measure. The Bill was set down for committal next sitting day. The Agricultural and Pastoral Industries and Stock Committee . recommended to the Government for favour able consideration a petition praying for the removal of import duties on cereal and vegetable stock foods. A number of members expressed approval of the report of the committee on the ground that tho recommendation, if adopted, would reduce tho cost of production, while others contended it would have a detrimental effect on tho New Zealand wheat industry and would increase unemployment. Mr D. Jones (Mid Canterbury) moved an amendment that the report bo referred back to the committee for further consideration. He contended that there was already an abundance of food on the free list for pig breeders in New Zealand. The amendment was seconded by Mr C. L. Carr (Timaru), who said ho was opposed to importing anything into this country that could be produced here at a reasonable price. Mr G. C. Black (Motueka) supported the recommendation of the committee. He claimed that there was every reason to anticipate there would lie a good market at Homo for the products of the New Zealand pig and poultry inclustides, and he believed their development would he of great value to the dominion. Mr H. E. Holland said that unless some other provision were made for the wheat industry in New Zealand it would bo seriously affected by the loss of protection. If the duties were removed they should be substituted by a bounty. It was essential in tho interests of the country that such an important industry should not ho endangered. The debate was interrupted by the adjournment of the House at 5.30 p.m. The Local Legislation Bill and the Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill were introduced by Governor-General’s Message and read a first time. _ The NurSes and Midwives’ Registration Amendment Bill was committed after long debate, tho House rising at midnight.