PARLIAMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 November 1931, Page 8

PARLIAMENT

SATURDAY’S SITTING. [PEB PBEBO ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, November 7. The House of Representatives met at 10.30 a.m. Replying to Mr. J. A. Nash, Mi. Forbes said he had seen a reported '-•tatement by Mr. Holland, that the evidence of the bankers before the Economic Committee had indicated it would be possible to raise a sum which he considered would be sufficient to place. New Zealand on its feet, Mr. Holland having referred to a sum of twenty-five million spread over three years. Mr. Forbes said that no statement of the kind had been made by the bankers. The amount to which reference had been made had been five millions, and the opinion had been expressed that it would be impossible to raise this amount, if the purposes were not sound, productive and likely to lead to permanent undertakings. Mr. Holland, rising to a point of order, said ho had been speaking of the sum spread over three years, which would have meant seven or eight millions a year gross. In replying to a direct question from Mr. Savage, the bankers had said there would be no difficulty in raising live millions. The Local Legislation Bill was reported from the Lands Committee witli on 1. a m end tn e nt. The Education Committee reporting on the Religious Instruction in Public Schools Enabling Bill, recommended •hat. it be not allowed to proceed, the Committee expressing the opinion that the question could be met by insertion in the Education Act of a clause permitting accredited persons, if they so desired, to give moral and religious instruction of a voluntary nature, opportunity being given for half an hour’s instruction per week, so long as it did not result in the statutory time for secular instruction being reduced. Mr. Holland (Christchurch North), member in charge of the Bill, said it was recognised it would be inadvisable to endeavour to proceed with the measure at this late stage of the session. Mr. Stallworthy submitetd that the report of the Committee was not consistent with the right evidence presented. He alleged that the Committee was equally divided on the question of supporting the bill, but one member who was giving at least modified support, had been absent, when the vote was taken, with the result, that the decision went against the measure by 5 to 4 votes. Mr. Fraser expressed the opinion that at a time of economic and financial depression it would be unfortunate if the country were to engage in a sectarian struggle. Mr. Atmore said that the Nelson system had been a great success in Victoria. He considered that no one would object if it were adopted in New Zealand.

Mr. Harris and Mr. Lysnar said they regretted it was not intended to proceed with the Bill this session. The report was tabled.

RAILWAYMEN’S PETITION. The Railways’ Committee reported favourably on the petition of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, asking for amending legislation to abolish the actuarial basis for fixing the rates of superannuation granted to men compulsorily retired on completion of thirty years’ sei’vice.

Mr. Hogan, presenting the report, said it was admitted that superannuation on acturial basis was in itself a concession, because until the recent Finance Act was passed, the men would only have been entitled to a refund of the amount of their contributions, in the event of their being retired before they had completed thirty-live years’ service, or had reached tiie age of sixty. The committee, however, was of opinion that men with thirty years’ service were entitled to better treatment than they were receiving. It had been found that the superannuation fixed on an acturial basis had meant a substantial reduction of the amount they would receive had they been permitted to complete the remaining five years of service.

Other Members urged that effect should be given to the committee’s recommendation. The report was tabled.

Mr. Hogan also presented similar recommendations relating to petitions from individuals and other branches of the railway service. The reports were tabled.

The Railways Committee, reportingon a petition from a number of construction workers at Waipapa Camp, on the South Island Main Trunk, asking that the work be continued, referred the matter to the Government for consideration. In the case of a petition from 8,400 residents in Gisborne, praying that the work on the Waikopuku section he resumed, the Committee referred the matter to the Government with a view to investigation of any offers of a financial guarantee from the district.

The reports were tabled. The Finance Bill (Number Four) was introduced by Governor-General’s message and read a first time. Mr. Stewart said the Bill was a financial washing up measure. There were sections dealing with public revenues and loans, amendments to the Unemployment Act, Education Amendment and Superannuation Funds. The House proceeded to deal with local Bills. The Auckland War Memorial Museum Maintenance Amendment Bill was put through committee without amendment. LOCAL BILLS PASSED The following local Bills were passed in the evening session. The Auckland War Memorial Museum Maintenance Amendment Bill, Wellington City Empowering Bill, Auckland Harbour Board and other Local Bodies Empowering Bill. Mr. McKeon, Member-in-Charge of the Wellington City Milk Supply Amendment Bill, intimated that he would withdraw the measure.

Moving the second reading of the Scientific Industrial Research Amendment Bill, Mr. Forbes said the measure appointed two additional members to the Council of the Scientific and Industrial Research. The purpose was to avoid the overlapping that arose at the present time in respect to the activities of the Departments of Agriculture and Scientific and Industrial Research. Two separate Boards would be appointed, one to deal with the industrial side, and the other to deal with the agricultural side of research, and the members of these Boards would constitute the council. The two additional members to be appointed would be the Director General of Agriculture, or his deputy, and the Secretary of the Department of Industries and Commerce. There would be the closest co-operation as the result of the passage of the mea-

sure. The Boards would report to the council, which would decide on all problems. Mr. Savage said the Bill was a step in the right direction, but at the risk of being considered a doubting Thomas. he wondered whether the appointment of the Boards would merelj 7 amount to further reports. The country 'was looking for something more than committees and reports. The Bill was read a second time, put through the remaining stages and passed. The Reserves and Other Lands Disposal (Washing Up) Bill, Mountain Guides Bill, the Counties Amendment Bill, the Mining Amendment Bill, and the Local Legislation Bill -were put through the remaining stages and passed. The House agreed to the amendments made by the Legislative Council to the Broadcasting Bill and the Transport Licensing Bill (No. 2).

The Prime Minister stated that the Mortgagors Relief Amendment Bill, and supplementary estimates, would be introduced on Monday. It should be possible to deal with these and remaining Government Bills on the order paper, and get through the session’s business by Tuesday. The House rose at 9.20 p.m. till 2.30 on Monday afternoon. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WELLINGTON, November 7. The Legislative Council met at 11.15 a.m. The Council agreed to the amendments made by the House in the Chattels Transfer Amendment Bill. The Imprest Supply Bill was received from the House, and put through all stages and passed. The Education Reserves Amendment Bill, and the Land Laws Amendment Bill were received from the House, and accorded urgency. The Transport Licensing Bill was reported from the Statutes Revision Committee, with amendments, put through all stages and passed. The Education Reserves Amendment Bill and the Land Laws Amendment Bill were read a second time, and set down for committal on Monday. The Council rose at 12.40 p.m. uptil 11 a.m. Monday.