PARLIAMENT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 21 August 1924, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. QUESTIONS ANSWERED. LICENSING POLL BILL. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 20. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Mr T. K. Sidey (Dunedin South), Mr Massey said the public service classification list was being prepared, and he hoped he would be able to gazette it next month. Replying to Mr D. G. Sullivan (Avon), the Hon. C. J. Parr said it was the usual practice of the Education Department to make teachers’ cheques payable before the holidays commenced. Mr Sullivan remarked that his information was quite different.

The Stamp Duties Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor’s Message and read a first time.

The House then proceeded to discuss the answers given by ' Ministers to questions. The Ministers gave the following amongst other answers to questions.

The the Government is fully aware that negotiations have been in progress between the Federal Government of Australia and Britain regarding Joan proposals for £34,000,000 for land settlement and development schemes* hut details are not yet available. At. the present time it is not the intention of the New Zealand Government to enter into a similar agreement under the Empire Settlement Act.

That it is the policy of the Government to meet its requirements in the matter of rolling stock by having some constructed in its own workshops and by contract with private firms in New Zealand. It is when it is not possible to meet requirements by construction within the Dominion that the department has gone outside the Dominion for rolling stock. Thei*e is no intention of departing from this policy. I may mention that the programme at present in hand is sufficient to keep the department’s shops fully employed. That finality has been reached with respect - to the leasing of practically all the Samoa Crown estates* with the exception V>f three large coconut plantations. As to the latter, tenders nave been received, but unexpected difficulties have arisen, and the policy to he adopted with regard to them is under consideration. That if, is considered impracticable t° publish an up-to-date roll of South African War veterans. lhat the question of increasing this year the Government grant of £IOO paid last year to the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association is receiving consideration. That the Government recognises the importance of the publication of judicial proceedings where indecent' matter, medical, surgical, or physiological details are concerned, but any restriction of nublication must he carefully limited. " Mr Sidey, in the absence of Mr L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North), moved that the second reading of the Licensing Poll Bill be postponed for four weeks. This was agreed to. At 10 p.m. the House adjourned till 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.