POLITICAL NOTES

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 29 June 1927, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES

JOTTINGS FROM THE HOUSE.

INTERESTING ITEMS

INTERESTING ITEMS.

BY TEIiEGKAPU SPECIAL 10 THE STAB,. WELLINGTON, June 28, In view of tiie Government’s proposal to amend the Arbitration Act, Mr. Gordon Elliott (Oroua) has asked the Minister of Labour in the House whether he would eliminate the power in the Act to grant preference to unionists, as this was the general desire of the farmers.

The Hon. G. J. Anderson: “I cannot reply to the items in the question, but the. amendment of the Arbitration Act is under consideration.

Mr. H. E. Holland (Leader of the Opposition): “How far have you got?” This question caused general laughter, and the Minister made no* answer. TARIFF COMMISSION. THE INQUIRY EXTENDED. It was announced by the Minister of Customs in the House to-day that the commission which is considering the revision of the Customs tariff has applied for an extension of time in which to report, and that it was intended to give further time, either till the end of July or the middle of August, though they might not- take all that time.

The matter came up as the result of a suggestion made by the Leader of the Opposition that, owing to the prevailing distress among sawmill workers, he would make the commission’s report on the timber industry a matter of urgency and give the House an opportunity of discussing the situation. The Minister explained that the timber problem had been investigated by the commission, and before its report came before Parliament it would have to be considered by Cabinet. PETROL TAX PETITION. COLOURED SPIRIT FOR FARMERS What is the forerunner of many such petitions was one presented by Mr. AHarris (Waitemata) from 96 Auckland motor truck owners, urging Parliament to impose a petrol tax as the most equitable form of paying for the roads in accordance with use. The petitioners contend that, as. the great- majority of motorists own vehicles of less weight than two tons loaded, they escape the heavy traffic fees. They meet the objection to taxing farming engines and fishing launches- with the suggestion that provision could he made to exempt these petrol users by the use of coloured petrol. i The petition contains particulars of the number of trucks' owned by each signatory and their petrol consumption. THREATENED IMPORTS OF POTATOES. “This is a matter of vital importance to South Island producers,” .declared Mr. D. Burnett, who asked the Minister of- Agriculture to give a prompt verbal- inquiry regarding the steps proposed to be taken to control the import of potatoes into the Dominion.

Mi - . Burnett assured the House thatit was necessary to protect the potato growers from- the threatened invasion of nests from Australia. The Hon. O. J. Hawken replied that if the question was repeated on Wednesday he would give details- of the department’s proposals.