THE ESTIMATES

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 11322, 27 September 1930, Page 5

THE ESTIMATES

NO REDUCTION IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS VOTE AIUST BE KEPT TO CERTAIN STANDARD fPi-psq Association.) WELLINGTON, Sept, 26. The House of Representatives todav went into Committee of Siipply to‘deal with tlie estimates. Tlie vote of £139,600 for public buildings and domains the maintenance, etc., ot roads, and irrigation works. was passed Afr Fiwser (L.) asked the Alinister whether it would not he possible to reduce the votes for expenditure in a- number of He_ stated that economies in this direction would he preferable to wage reductions. _ . , , The Hon. W. B. Taverner pointed out if maintenance were allowed to fall below a certain standard it would involve increased expend toreat a later date. He added that reducing votes on maintenance would also tend to increase unemployment.

POLICE DEPARTMENT/- ; WATCHFUL EYE OX “BOOKIES” The, estimate of £450,00Q. for the Police Department Avas submitted-. Air Wright (R.) ashed the Minister what Aims the'position in regard to hookmaking. There dieuld be some finality one way. or the other. Either bookmakers should he suppressed. or they should be nlaeod on a proper legal footing. Air Kyle (R.) said he noned the neiv Commissioner would endeavour to stimulate -the police wLh a view to getting more convictions of bookThe Hon. J. G. C-ohhe said the number of convictions last year indicated that the police ivere fully active in dealing AA’ith bookmakers. Air Waite (R.) said lie was glad to he able to say that valuable..progress, had been made \i\ the ondeayour to eliminate sly grog selling in Southland. He hoped the new Commissioner. woulfl keep up the pressure in this direction. The sum yas granted. defence VOTE 000 OFFICER'S AND N.CUVS AND 2000'MEN STILL IN SERVICE . The estimate of £275,000 for the Defence Department was submitted. Air Waite (R.) , asked ivhethor adequate supplies of small arm. ammunition ivere being maintained. Air J. A. Nash (R.) asked for details as to officers placed on superannuation, and tbore transferred to India. Mr Coates said many people ivere concerned oiving to the undefined attitude of the Government towards defence. He asked ivliat form military training Avould take in the future. The Hon. J. G. Cobbe said 600 officers and n.c.o.’s and 2000 men would- be kept, in trailing this year, also tho secondary school cadets. ■ In reply to Air Waite the Minister said the ammunition retained would be an amount sufficient for a w.ir reserve. He was not in a position at the moment- to ansiver the question asked by Mr .J. A. Nasli. Mr Jordan (L.) urged, that facilities should he given for men to go into camp if they., desired to do so. It seemed to him the pendulum had Sivung right from compulsory military training to the other extreme. Progress ivas.r reported and the House rose at 5.30 till 2.30 on Afonday.