PARLIAMENT

Grey River Argus, 8 October 1941, Page 3

PARLIAMENT

POLICE AND E.P.S. Questioner out of Order [Per Press Association] PARLT. BLDGS., October 7. In notice of a question to the Minister of National Service when the House met at 2.30 to-day, Mr. Plarker (Nat., Waipawa), asked whether the Minister would take steps to see that the Police Force was supplied with necessary equipment to carry out the duties allotted it under the E.PJSScheme. He contended that the Police Force in Wellington was without adequate supplies of stretchers, disinfectants, rubber gloves, steel helmets, overalls, and other necessary equipment. Speaking to a point of order, the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, submitted that it was not th e proper use ,of either a question or of a note to a question to make such a statement. As a. matter of fact it was not a proper Use to make of a noie to a question when something was contained ii; it that was not supported byfacts. The Speaker, Mr Barnard, said that statements should be carefully checked, and it was not correct for a questioner to include in a question something that might be a matter of hearsay, or that he could not personally vouch for. WAR PRISONERS’ LETTERS. A number of letters which had been sent to members of rhe Second N.Z.E.F. who are now prisoners of war as the .result of the campaigns in Greece and Crete, are being returned to senders through the Dead Letter Office, stated Mr. F. W. Doidge (Nat., Tauranga), in an urgent question to the PostmasterGeneral, and he asked whether these letters could not be sent io Geneva for delivery to the prisoners, instead of being returned to S this country. Replying on behalf .of the Post-master-General, Mr. Fraser explained that letters for prisoners of war were subject to certain restrictions, and verv few of the letters which had been returned complied with these requirements. \ SILK STOCKINGS. The' supply of silk stockings in the Dominion was raised in an urgent question by Mr. W. J. Broadfoot (Nat., Waitomo). to the Minister of Customs, Mr. Nash. Mr. Broadfoot wanted to know if sufficient import licenses would b_e granted immediately to enable the shortage to be overcome or considerably reduced. Mr. Nash, in replv, said that the Government, through the flign Commissioner in London, was trying, at present, to obtain from Britain the maximum quantity of silk stockings that could be made available from that quarter to augment the locallymanufactured stockings. A shortage in local supplies, he said, was caused through the manufacturers being unable to produce the quantity that had been estimated. This position was due to the sinking of a consignment of additional machinery, and to the fact that some fifty per cent, of the skilled operatives in the industry had enlisted in the services. TOBRUK GARRISON. The Prime Minister, in a brief statement, intimated that he had sent the following message to the General Officer Commanding in the Middle East, expressing admiration of the stand of the Tobruk Garrison: “During a discussion in the New Zealand House of Representatives on the progress of the war. I was asked to convey to you and, through you, to all concerned, our warm admiration .tof the stand being made by the* troops in Tobruk. The suggestion) received unanimous approval from] all sides of the House, and I have great pleasure in conveying to you their testimony of our appreciation ,of the magnificent spirit displayed. Supplementary estimates, including Annual Appropriations totalling £711,151; Separate Accounts £186,649; and Public Works Fund, £305,150, were introduced oy the Gov-ernor-General’s message. . “This is fust an annual Bill . to confirm and • validate Regulations made under the Agriculture (Emergency Powers) Act, 1934,” said the Minister of Marketing, Hon J. G. Barclay, when the Agricultural Emergency Regulations Confirmation Bill was introduced by the Governor’s message. The Bill was read the first time. The Minister explained that each vear the Regulations made must be confirmed during the session, or they expired at the end of the session. Tim Bill comprised only one operative clause, confirming seven sets .of Regulations set out in a schedule. WAR DAMAGE INSURANCE Moving the second reading of the War Damage Bill, the Minister o. Finance, Mr. Nash, said the Bill provided for insurance against war damage on property that could be insured against fire. Mr. H. G. Dickie (Nat.. Patea) Suppose it is not covered at all'.' Mr. Nash: If it is not covered against fire, it may stay out, but d it is covered, it must come in. Mr. W. J. Polson (Nat.. Stratford) : Suppose a man has a valuable horse th.at is killed by a bomb, now would he get on? . . Mr. Nash said there was provision in the Bill for other property to be covered. He added that every Mass of damage 1 , except damage to land and personal injury, could be covered, and there might be a Bill later to cover personal injury. ine Minister also stated that insurance companies had said that, as their contribution to the war effort, tney would collect the money for war damages * r The f Lea a dm e of the Opposition Mr Holland, said he thought the Bill was a timely one. However, he thought and every Member would agree, that war damage was a war expense, and, without criticising the Bill, he wondered wh v that principle had not been followed in the measure, whichstipulated that the whole cost of restoring damage through war activity should be recoverable from tb» pockets of property owners. The cost of war damage, he thought, should be spread over the whole community as far as possible. Mr. Holland also contended that a provision that surplus money should be nodevoted to relief after earthquake damage or other disaster, was unjust in regard to the question of “other disaster,” Because the owners of property had contributed all the money. , _ After the Minister had briefly replied, the Bill was read the second time

TAXATION OF BANKS Mr. Nash also moved the second reading of the Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill He stated that practically the whole of the clauses tended to reduce taxation under the existing arbitrary system .of taxing banking companies. Certain gross-

Iv unfair anomalies had arisen. One Bank last year, for instance, was liable for £is4 in taxation for every £lOO profit it made. That could not go on for long, and he had taken steps to alter the legislation to rectify the position, and, in future. Banks would pay., taxation on the same principles as ordinary trading companies at the present moment. He thought that the service of the trading banks and the prices they wery charging for that service Were as efficient. and as low as anything that could bp done bv the State. The debate was interrupted by the adjournment at 5.30 p.m. N.Z, REPRESENTATION AT WASHINGTON. Immediately on the resumption after the tea adjournment, the House began consideration of the supplementary estimates., Speaking on an item of £2,000 in the vote for the Prime Minister’s Department for preliminary expenses towards the establishment of the New Zealand Legation in Washington, Mr. Holland said he thought it would be appreciated if the Prime Minister would indicate what progress had been made. Was it proposed to make the present appointment permanent? What would happen to the Waimarino Electorate if such a thing happened. Replying, Mr. Fraser said that both Mr. Langstone and Mr. Coates had done splendid work in the United 'States. When he was in Britain, continued Mr. Fraser, he had heard of a number being on the staff at Washington, and had felt there was a grave risk of overdoing it. Bui after a full examination, he was of the opinion that the staff was fully required. H? added that the question of an agreement in regard to the whole of trading was under consideration. but he was not in a position to say whether it could be arranged or not > However, he could assure the House that the matter was being handled as expeditiously as possible. The- question of appointment of a Minister or representative in Washington would be considered when further necessary preliminary arrangements were made. “MAUI P'OMARE” AGAIN. Quoting 1 an item of £4,000 in the Marine Department vote for alterations to the "Maui Pomare,” necessitated bv the installing of new engines in the vessel, Mr. W. P. Endean (Nat., Remuera), said that in practically every set of estimates introduced for years there was some item of substantial expenditure for this steamer. Mr. Fraser said that if he might use an Americanism, he would describe the “Maui Pomare” as “a pain in the neck.” The- present Government was not responsible for ordering her, and she had been a source of worry to every Government since she came to New Zealand. TJ"' Government had thought last year that perhaps Ihe vessel z could be scrapped and replaced with a now vessel, but another ship could not bo obtained and tho Government had tu make the best, of a bad bargain.

SUGAR SUBSIDY. The original reason for payment of a sugar subsidy by the Government was the desire of the British Government that countries in the British Commonwealth should purchase sugar produced within the Empire, said the Minister of Supply, Hon. D G Sullivan, referring to a vote of £40,000 for sugar subsidies in the Department of Industries and Commerce estimate. Mr. Sullivan sain that before the war New Zealand bought sugar from Java and the new arrangement meant lifting th e price from about £l2 to £l6 per ton To correct any idea, however, that r*ie Colonial Sugar Company was reaping any undue advantage, he woulU point out that the return of the Company had dropped from 11 1,5 S per ton to about £1 7s per ton. How long the subsidy would remain depended on the Government policy, would have to be determined from time to time.

DOCTORS’ FEES. Asked bv the Leader of the Opposition how doctors would be paid p view of increased fees provided in the amended Social Security Amendment Bill, the Minister 'of Finance. Mr. Nash, speaking on tne Social Security Department vote of £289,500, said the Budget anticipated a certain sum would be required to pay doctors, and there was plenty of'money in the Social Security Fund for the purpose.

The whole of the estimates were passed. An Appropriation Bill making provision for th e complete estimates, was introduced and read the first time. . Continuing the second reading debate on the Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill, Mr. J. A. Lee (Grey Lynn), said that to mak G substantia! taxation exemptions to trading banks was something new for the Labour Party to do, but if the policy was to continue to allow trading banks to remain in private hands, there could be no argument against it Mr. Nash, replying to the debate, said that the increase in the indebtedness of New Zealand during the past six years of £421,165,000, had cost onlv one per cent in interest or a fraction less than that. If there were any country in the world which had raised money to increase its assets at less than one per ceiV., he would like to find it. The Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill passed the second reading, went through committee, and was given the third reading and passed. The War Damage Bill was also passed through committee, and was given the third reading and passed. Beforp the House rose, Mr. Fraser said he hoped to-morrow to introduce the Rehabilitation Bill. ’ If the law draughtsman could not keep pace with the enthusiasm of the Opposition, thev could adjourn. ,Mr. Polson: Can’t we clean up and leave on Friday? Mr. Fraser: “We will see how we get on.” The House rose al 10.3')