HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Grey River Argus, 7 October 1914, Page 6

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

YESTERDAY'S SITTINGREPLIES TO QUESTIONS. PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 6When the House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m., in reply to Mr J, G. ' Coates (Kaipara) the Minister for Public Works said that he woujd bring' down the Public Works Statement as soon as printed, but he thought it would be some weeks yet. Mr. Massey introduced the Orchards and Garden. Diseases Amendment Bill, which was read a first time. Mr. Massey also introduced the Wages Protection and "Contractors' Lien Amendment Bill, which was read a first time. THE MYERS LOAN. Upon a financial return being laid upon the table, Mr. G. W. Russell (Avon) raised the question of Mr, Myers's short dated loan, and declared •that Mr. Allen had been able to consent to Mr- Myers's loan upon better terms than he could raise his own. Mr, Myers contended that circumstances justified him in raising rt loan for two years, and hi" action had turned out to be in the best interests, of the country. Mr. D. Buddo (Kaiupoi) contended that the Myers loan compared more than favourably with the Allen loan. Mr. G. Pearce (Pateaj said that it was amusing to listen to the statements made by the Opposition regarding the Myers loan. In reply Mr. Allen said that he admitted the difficulties which faced Mr.. Myers when he came into office. The Myers loan was not renewed nor converted. It was paid off absolutely. The large financiers in London had New Zealand by the throat ,and would not renew or convert, but held the money to collect brokerage and underwriting fees. The position in New Zeaand upon the London money market had steadily improved since the present Government had taken office The Myers loan had cost .£5 is, while the last loan raised by the Government cost £4 is 3d. STATE FIRE INSURANCE. The Hon F- M. B .Fisher read a statement received from the officer-in-charge of the State Fire Insurance Department, showing that there was no decrease in business, but an increase. The last two' years had been the most successful in the history of the office. BILLS INTRODUCED. " Bills were introduced by message from the Governor as follows : — Breeding Horses for Military Purposes Bill. Workers' Dwelling Act Amendment Bill. Encouragement of the Manufacture of Iron and Steel Bill. Education Act Amendment Bill. Cook Islands Bill. Shipping Bill. Imprest Supply Number Five- Bill. SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS I Mr. G- W. Russell (Avon) urged that in view of the avalanche of Bills coming down the Government should say what "innocents" were to be slaughtered so that members would know the position; Mr. Massey declared that he was quite prepared to make the number 26. • He pointed out that the corresponding session three years ago> saw them faced with a larger number of Bills at this time in the session. A large number of the Bills he proposed to bring down were non-contentious. There, were one or two other Bills — a loan Bill, a small native Rill ,and a short legislative Bill. He saw no reason why they shoud not do the work thoroughly. I Mr. Massey explained that the Worker's Dwellng Bill made several necessary amendments. In the first ! place it increased the maximum limn that would be lent for workers 'dwellings from £600 to £760. It also abolished the limit of half an acre m a borough and five acres outside a borough, instead of which it proposed to fix the value limit of The Rangitaiki Land Drainage Act Amendment was passed through committee without amendment. The House rose at 1.45 a.m.