PARLIAMENT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 2 December 1927, Page 9

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF KEPRESE NTATIVE’S. THIS MORNING’S BUSINESS. (by telegraph—press association.) WELLINGTON, Dee. 2. The House of Representatives'met at 11 a.m. Replying to the Leader of the Opposion, the Prime Minister said that the report of the joint select Samoan Committee was ready for presentation and would be laid on the table at a suitable opportunity. The report of the Royal Commission on Samoa was ready as it had been signed by the Governor-i General and had just reached him. It had first to be considered by Cabinet and he doubted if it could be laid on the table this session, but it would be made available to members and the Press.

, He had had a statement prepared on the business transacted at the Imperial Conference. He was quite prepared to lay that statement on the table, but he did not think an opportunity would arise far discussing it.

Mr. 11. E. Holland: “We don’t want it unless we can debate it.”

Continuing his remarks, the Prime Minister said that no change had been hiade in the method of communication between the Imperial authorities and the Dominion. There was optional power to do this if the Government thought it advisable, but they had retained the existing channels as being perfectly satisfactory. As a result of further discussion, the Prime Minister doubted his ability to provide a day for discussion, and Mr. Holland reiterated his objection to the statement being laid on the table if it were not to he discussed, and matters were left at that.

Replying to Sir George Hunter, the Prime Minister said that it was not intended to proceed with the Education Amendment Bill this session. The Hon. W. Downie Stewart moved the second reading of the Finance Bill, emphasising the points already telegraphed.

LOAN' PROPOSALS DISCUSSED Mr H. El. Holland asked how far the Government was prepared to go in carrying out the principle laid down in clause 26 under which the Government entered into the business of purchase of wheat from Australian. That seemed to be one of those socialistic transactions in which the Government indulged from time to time. He was not objecting to. it, but he wondered how far the Government was prepared to go in that direction. Mr Forbes commented upon the fact that the Bill authorised the raising of loans amounting to seven millions. It was true it was not all to be expended in one year, but the amount of money being raised must cause apprehension te serious thinking people. Was all this expenditure necessary P Were ail the railways under construction needed? These works should be put under the most critical examination and unless they could stand up to the paying test they should not be gone on with, no matter whether they be in the North oi South Island Sir .Tolm Luke said that he was not a pessimist and lie had every faith in the future of the country, but in view of the fact that we were proposing to borrow a further seven millions, he issued a warning that this heavy borrowing could not go on unless we simultaneously increased the production of the country.

Mr W. D. Lysnar objected to expenditure on irrigation works while there was so much land lying idle. ‘ ‘/Settle those lands first before spending large sums on irrigation,” he declared. He approved of the vote for the Singapore base as an insurance.

The House rose at 1 p.m. till 2.30 p.m.