PARLIAMENT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 15 October 1929, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

PETITIONS AND DEPORTS.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 14. The Hon. T. M. Wolford, gave notice ill the House of Representatives, tonight of his intention to introduce the Anns Act Amendment Hill. Mr T. W. McDonald presented the report of the Public Petitions Committee on the jwstition of the creditors of the Mount Eden Pus Company for compensation. The committee recommended that it ho referred to the Government for favourable consideration. Mr P. Eraser stated' a very similar petition had been reported upon unfavourably a week ago. That petition had keen submitted by the Ex-Minister of Health, Mr J. A. Young, and was on Ibehalt of New Zealand working men (residents of Hamilton) who had lost all their savings in an undertaking as the result of the Motor Omnibus Traffic Act. Mr Fraser presumed the finding of the committee on that occasion had been reached on the assumption that the law must take its course. He had raised no objection then v but he did not think the House would agree to different recommendations in two similar cases. Those affected in the present instance were wealthy foreign firms. The petition had been presented by the Minister of Health (the Hon. A. J. Sfcallworthy). , Mr It. Semple endorsed Mr Fraser s remarks and moved that the report- be referred hack to the committee for further consideration. Mr H. G.. It. Mason seconded the amendment. Mr McDonald stated that as chairman of the committee- he had no objection to the report, being referred back. He contended, - however, that the eases were not similar. In the Hamilton case the petitioners had sent their buses away from Hamilton, and had been disqualified from holding a license. In the other case the Auckland City Council had refused to admit that buses were in competition with the tramways, yet it had forced the bus company to impose a maximum (penal) fare. It had refused to recognise any claim by the bus company, which had taken the case to court, when the decision had favoured the bus company. Mr Fraser said the petition was really designed to meet the wishes of the creditors of the company, who wanted £IO.OOO because they considered that in the assessment of the plant the court had not given enough. The amendment was carried on the voices. Reports on other petitions relating to the Motor Omnibus Traffic Act were referred to the Government for favourable consideration, some members expressing the view that the position of all private concerns detrimentally affected by the legislation should lie reviewed.

TIMBER INDUSTRY.

I ! Mhen the report of the State Forest Service was submitted for consideration, Mr. H. ■ E- Holland (Bulier) re- , ferred to. private ventures in forestry ' which, he stated, forecast tremendous profits in a given number of years. He considered the reckless, lavish promises made by companies were evidence of the wild cat nature of the schemes. He thought the time had arrived when there should be a searching investigation into' the affairs of such companies, Mr. Holland mentioned that one concern had led investors in Australia to believe the Government of New Zealand to some extent guaranteed it. Mr. A. Hamilton suggested the Government should confer with the sawmillers and those in the timber trade, who, he thought, would agree uot to raise prices and might consider reduction if the Minister would agree to stop the importation of foreign timber. Such action would stimulate employment in the sawmilling trade. He considered some further restriction at least should be placed on the importation of foreign timbers. Mr. F. Langstone suggested that a. reduction in the royalties collected from sawmillers would {probably enable them to reduce prices and compete more successfully with the imported timber. He added that he did not think New Zealand had exhausted the possibilities of its native timber. Mr. H- G. R. Mason expressed pleasure that an Order-in-Council restricting the export of timber liad been revoked. He considered this Order-in-Council had constituted a threat to the trade, in that it bad imposed a. limit on the possibilities of the export trade.

Mr J. O’Brien referred to the heavyimportations and pointed out that New Zealand had no equivalent of the Canadian dumping duty. The report was talked out and the House rose at 10.30 p.m.