POLITICAL POINTS

Evening Star, Issue 21820, 8 September 1934, Page 18

POLITICAL POINTS

NATIVE LAND INQUIRY [From Ouu Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, .September 7. That tbe Government should have accepted the resignation of Sir Apirana Ngata, Native Minister, when it was submitted to tlie Prime Minister prior to the initiation of the investigation mo the Native land settlement operations, was the opinion of Mr J. W. Munro (Dunedin. North). Speaking in the Financial Debate in the House this afternoon, Mr Munro declared that he was obliged to say this, though he had the highest admiration for the Native Minister. However, he had met large numbers of all sections of the community, who had asked him why the Opposition did not do its duty in, this respect. He had promised a number of individuals that at the first suitable opportunity he would raise the question in the House, expressing his opinion as a member of. the Opposition. “1 consider I have done my duty,” concluded the Dunedin member, “ even though it is an unpleasant one.”

The mortgage corporation plan fore : casted in the Budget is so favoured by Mr Munro (Dunedin North) that he suggested that it ought to take legislative shape this session, even if it meant Parliament sitting till Christmas. To achieve results, this institution ought to be operating early, because the farmers were in difficulty, and promises would not help them. He believed the Coalition Ministers would get the surprise of their life if they went a hit further along the lines of tho Labour Party’s policy, and financed the Mortgage , Corporation through the Reserve Bank. If the Labour Party reached the Treasury benches he was sure they would do it successfully in this way. He would not talk of costless credit, but believed that the Reserve Bank could raise the money at 1 per cent, on Government security. If the Government would undertake to find money for local bodies at this rate he was confident that every local body in New Zealand would start a housing scheme. Tragedy figures in the annual report to Parliament of the Marine Fish Hatchery and Biological Station, Portobello. Two lobsters died. These strangers, in a strange land (for they were European lobsters), have achieved a fame never given to them in their life times. “During the year,” states the report. “ two lobsters were lost, one female being killed by its companions when easting its shell, and the other (a male) dying apparently from old age. Another male spends most of its time in lying on its back. This specimen shows no signs of injury, hut may have an internal growth. The remaining seventeen are in good, healthy condition, and have cast their shells.’’