QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 27 February 1935, Page 8

QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT

RATEPAYERS’ VOTING RIGHTS. TOURIST TRAFFIC CONFERENCE (By Teicgfitpn—Press Tssocjation.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 26. Mr A. Stuart (Coalition, Rangitikei) asked the Minister of Internal Affairs in the House of Representatives to-day if the Government would introduce legislation, if necessary, making provision to enable ratepayers who wore not more than two years in arrears to vote at forthcoming elections. The. Hon. J. A. Young said no request had been received from the Counties’ Association to make provision on the lines asked as was done in 1932, but lie would have the matter further considered by the Government.

Mr. A. Richards (Labour, Roskill) drew attention to a regent .statement made by the chairman of the Railways Board to the effect that nothing definite had come from the Government regarding its attitude towards the recommendations affecting the tourist traffic passed at a conference held in August last, and lie asked the Prime Minister if he would make a statement on toui-ist traffic. The Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes replied that the Minister in charge of the Tourist Department was now in Australia inquiring into the position. When he returned the matter would be dealt with by the Government. -The Orchards Tax Amendment Bill was introduced and read a first time. Mr. Forbes said the measure provided for an increase in the orchard tax from one to two shillings an acre. The reason was to enable research work to he carried out. The Bill was promoted at the request of the. industry. The matter was urgent as the tax was payable on March 1 and it was necessary that the Bill be passed before then.