PARLIAMENT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 215, 25 August 1927, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. Wellington, Aug. 25. Replying to questions in the House of Representatives this afternoon, Ministers gave the following amongst other answers:— That it is not proposed to bring forward a bill this session providing for the compulsory dehorning of cattle. That to impose a severe minimum penalty in cases of theft of motor cars and consequent accidents resulting from reckless driving would be unusual, but the whole question will be further considered.

That it is not proposed to interfere with the present system for the transport of school children by abolishing the allowance paid to children riding on horseback to school over roads impassable for vehicles.

That a proposal to made provision for the appointment of an additional motorists’ representative, who shall be resident in the South Island, on the Main Highways Board will be given consideration when any amendments to the Main Highways Act are being prepared.

That section 16 of the Main Highways Act, 1922, provides for an annual appropriation by Parliament of not less than £200.000 to be transferred from the phblic works fund to the main highways construction fund, and provision for this has been made in the current vear’s programme. ‘

That regulations are now being prepared providing uniform bv-laws for regulating motor traffic throughout the Dominion, imposing limits of speed on highways.

That the Government will be glad to suggest to the Light Hon. L. M S. Amery. M.P., that he should, during his visit to New Zealand deliver an address on proportional representation.

That there is no possibility of the Radio Broadcasting Company being permitted to pay for its plant out of revenue received bv wav of license fees. A statement that the Government holds a secon' 1 mortgage over the Wellington plant is not correct The Government holds a first mortf;age debenture over the plant <olaterallv with a second mortgage on the land and building. The security is considered .to he ample.

That the question of amending the Weights and Measures Act. 1925. so as to require butchers’ meat to be sold only bv weight is receiving consideration.

That the Industries and Commerce Department considers recent increases in the wholesale price of household coal charged bv certain West Coast companies are justified. The Mines Department concurs in this view.

The drainage boards have trit- same facilities for borrowing as other local authorities, and the Government is not aware of anv difficulties in raising loans where the security is satisfactory. The Government has no power to compel lenders to take up drain; 1 M e board securities it other local loans are preferred.

That with respect to New Zealand ships, the provisions of the Shipping and Seamen Act governing the carrying of doctors are the same as those contained in the Imperial Act. and the question of extending those provisions to cover intercolonial ships is at present under consideration It is not considered necessary to require a doctor to be carried on coastal ships, as such vessels are always within a few hours’ steam of port. The position with regard to medicines. etc., is that the Board of Trade’s scales are required to be carried. except in the case of small coastal ships of less than 30 tons register, which are required to carrv the usual St John Ambulance hamper.