IN PARLIAMENT

Hawera Star, Volume L, 31 July 1930, Page 6

IN PARLIAMENT

DEFENCE RIFLE CLUBS EFFECT OF NEW POLICY .DOMINION'S TOBACCO TRADE. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association ) WELLINGTON. July 30. The Minister of Defence (Hon. JG. Gob he) 'replying in the House* o Representatives to-day to Mr AY. A. Barnard, who. asked to what exten . it anv, .defence rifle clubs would be ul-fecte-d by the existing suspension oi compulsory military training, said they would not be affected at all at the present time. While it was possible that their grants might- be- reduced >n the future they would he compensated by increased allowances of ammunition, of which there was a large- quantity m stock. . . . A- select committee to inquire into the Dominion’s tobacco growing and manufacturing industries was appointed. The- committee as originally nominated consisted of Messrs Murdoch, Atm ore, Black. Clinkard. Manus, Halliard, Mason. Harris, Campbell and Replying to Air H. E. .Holland, Mr Forbes .said- it would not tfie possible tor tlie committee to report prior to the introduction of the Customs Ameudni on t 8.i,l I. Mr W. J. Poison suggested it would have been preferable for more members who were farmers- to have been included in the committee. Hon. A. J. Murdoch said it was not possible to include all farming members of the- House. Most of the- tobacco growing districts were represented. All- Forbes said be- bad no objection to increasing the -personnel of the committee, whereupon the names of Messrs Poison and Tan Hena.re were added. Mr J. O’Brien gave notice of his- intention to •introduce the Invalids’ Pensions Bill.

The following Bills were introduced and read a first time: Petone Railway Crossing Ramp Bill (Air AY. Nash), Wellington City Exhibition Ground Amendment Bill (Air R. Semple).

The Imprest Supply Bill was introduced by Governor-General’s message.

Mr Coates- a-sked what was the Government’s. policy in relation to matters such, as the jea se of the Ma cdonald State coal-mine-. Had it considered calling public tenders or had- it considered working the mine on a co-operative basis? He thought the latter was a policy worthy of adoption wherever possible.

Air Coates drow the attention of the Minister- of Public Works to the rates of pay ou several contract works in and near his district. He said the men were averaging approximately five or six shillings daily.

Air H. T. Armstrong said the rates of pay on contract work -should not fall below the usual minimum of 14s. He considered many men he know on those works were capable -of earning 20s a day; yet they could not always get the “miserable minimum.”. He complained that- the condition on relief works had not improved and that there were too- many accidents owing to inexperienced men being allowed to -use explosives.

PROVISION FORI UNEMPLOYED. Air J. S. Fletcher said he wanted to know that night what urgent measures were to he taken to provide for the unemployed. It was no use saying the Government’s proposals were- contained in the Unemployment Bill; something had to be done at once, and he for one- wanted -definite information, -on the subject -before- passing supplies for “this inefficient, incompetent Government-.”

.Mr A. M. Samuel complained of the Government’s Failure to give effect to the recommendations of the petitions committees.

Air R. Semple referred to the .subject of file Alacdonalcl mine and said lie considered the House should have been consulted before flic lease was granted. Hon. B. A. Ransom said it was proposed to introduce a Bill in the House' this session to provide for group settlement and the, development of land hi general. In the policy of breaking in Crown lands the Government was endeavouring to give* work to as many unemployed as possible. The afforestation programme was being carried out somewhat more rapidly than had been planned because of the necessity for providing work.

Air D. Jones said New Zealand would be faced with a very .serious position before long unless more effective means were adopted to deal with unemployment. He contended the average rate of pay on .relief works had probably boon higher while the Reform Party was in office than at present in spite of the criticism of |li ( . Reform Party’s standard.

The leader of the Labour Party appealed for the sympathetic administration of the law affecting miners’ phthisis pensions. The best law in the world on this subject would be inadequate without sympathetic administration, lie s a id.

Air F. AVaito criticised the action of the Alinister of Defence in substantially altering the constitution of the defence forces without first consulting the senior territorial officers as. Mr Waite contended, he had promised the party to do. He urged that the Government should grant tin; petitions recommended by the mines committee. It bad not been done so in cases submitted List year.

Air \Y. H. Field complained of the present system of land valuation, stating that too many farmers were overvalued while others were under-valued. (Left sitting at 2 a.m.)