PARLIAMENT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 23 September 1924, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS,

(3Y TELEGRAPH- —PRESS ASSOCIATION.'. WELLINGTON, Sept. 22. The ‘House of Representatives met at 7.30 p.m. Replying to Mr T. K. Sidey (Dunedin South), the Hon. J. G. Coates said it was not wise to publish the prices of successful tenderers for Government supplies when those prices were obtained privately, because to do so would deprive the Government of the benefits of the keen competition which develops between traders when they are tendering privately.

Replying to Mr Sidey, the Hon. G. J. Anderson said the inadequacy and irregularity .of the steamer service between Dunedin, Bluff and Australia was one of the injustices which Southland was at present suffering. He personally had been agitating this question for the past ten years', and would be glad to co-operate with all southern members to secure an improved service. The House then proceeded to consider local Bills, and the following passed all stages: Rangiora Borough Valuation of Farm Lands for Rating Purposes Bill (Hon. D. Buddo); Suriner Borough and Heatlicote County McCormack’s Bay Vesting Bill (Mr J. McCombs); Opotiki Hospital District Bill (Mr K. Williams); Auckland Electric Power Board Amending Bill (Mr V. H. Potter); Whakatane Borough ""'Empowering Bill (Mr F. F. Hockley); Tolaga Bay Harbour Board Empowering Amendment Bill (Mr K. Williams); Wellington City Empowering and Amendment Bill (Mr R. A. Wright); Dunedin City Corporation Empowering Bill (Hon. W. Downie Stewart). The second reading of the Wellington City Mangaha.o Endowment Sale Empowering Bill was carried. The House rose at 12.10 a.m. till 2.30 p.m.