WORK OF PARLIAMENT

Hawera Star, Volume L, 23 October 1930, Page 5

WORK OF PARLIAMENT

QUESTION FOR MINISTERS

FINANCE BELL CONSIDERED REPORT ON TOBACCO INDUSTRY (Bv Telegraph—Press Association.) AVELLINGTON, Oct. 22. Mr. AY J. Poison asked in the House if Representatives to-day whether t report in a southern newspaper that the Awarua wireless station was to lie scrapped' and the plant transferred to Christchurch was correct. Hon. J. B. Domtld replied that the removal to Christchurch of the wireless station at Awarua had not been mntemplated by the department. Replying to Mr. H. E. Holland,, Hon. AA 7 . A. A 7 eitcli stated that it was true the Railway Department had been taking reduced quantities of coal from tiro State Alines. The matter of talcing increased quantities was at present under discussion by the departments concerned.

Replying to Air. R. ‘Semple, Air. lei tell said that while he was anxious to encourage the Sanders Cup yachtng races lie could, not see justification in view of the existing 'financial conditions, to grant the free carriage if boats on the railways. In a , personal statement Air. AA 7 . D. Lvsnar (Gisborne') requested that when calling on speakers in .debates Air. •canker should in future dissociate him from the Reform Party and treat him as a complete Independent. Mr. G. O. Black in presenting the report of the committee on the tobacco industry gave a resume of the committee's findings. Mr. AA*. E>. Barnard said 'the committee was of the opinion on the evidence adduced that Nelson and district were best suited to tobacco growna. having an advantage owing to the sheltered conditions. It was clear to the committee that the evils which had sprung up in the issue of bonds, hi connection with forestry companies had spread to the tobacco industry. An amendment to the Companies Act was needed with a view to placing restrictions on the offers to* the public and to control highly speculative shares and bonds. A . . _ ■ Air. AA 7 . J. Holson said, the recommendations of the committee would help the growers and! encourage tire local manufacturers of tobacco.' The committee was satisfied that there was not only a possibility of local expansion but also of an .export, trade. The report was referred to the Gov-. :eminent for favourable consideration. A message was received from the Legislative Council asking the House to appoint three managers to. confer with three managers from the Council regarding the . amendments to the New Zealand University’s Amend-

ment Bill and the Law Practitioners' Amendment Bill. Hon. H. Atmore moved that Alessrs. H. G. Dickie, :AA 7 .. E. Barnard and himself be appointed, and this was agreed to, . . The amendments of the Legislative Council to the Land Laws Amendment Bill were agreed to. Urgency was accorded tile passing of e Finance Bill (No. 2) and the HipJementary Estimates. . Aloving the second reading of the Finance Bill Hon. E. A. Ransom said the measure was largely, of a “washing up” nature and lent itself, to ex'plaiiation in committee- clause by clause. Mr. AA r . D. Stewart drew attention o the clause granting authority to raise a large loan for railway construcLn and suggested that it was not At for the Government to make such a request when it had not yet given a hear declaration.of it's policy in regard o the construction of new lines. He Aged the Government to, clear up the. position in regard to both running railways and railways under construction. There should be some standard set. It might be possible to countenance some loss in view of the benefits from do-, velopment, but it would be serious l to allow a general drift to take place in raihvav finance. , ■ ,"■ At*. Stewart contended that the BUI did not give any accurate answer to the defence problems that had bren raised from tinie to time. AAhenever reference had been made to such problems it ihad always been stated that the Finance Bill would clear the matter :p but beyond proriding for the appointment of an under-secretary .for defence (as a result of which it was coped to effect considerable econom.cs) t gave no further indication of the Government’s intentions.