PARLIAMENT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 210, 23 August 1929, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE! THIS MORNING’S SITTING. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. [Per Press Association.) Parliament Buildings, August 23. The House of Representatives met at 10.30 o’clock this morning. A division was, called for on the question whether the A to L Petitions Committee should be allowed to meet at 11 a.m.. Labour members objected to the committee meeting during the sitting of the House. , Replying to the objections, Mr J. A, Macl’herson (United, Oaaru) said that the petition was an urgent one and consideration had been delayed as a result ot the want of confidence motion. Reform members interjected, asking whose petition it was. Mr MacPherson did not reply, and a division was called for. Mr J. O’Brien (Labour, Westland), rising to a point of order, stated that if the committee were allowed to sit probably only half an hour it would save Auckland witnesses the expense of remaining in Wellington over the week-end. The motion was again put and carried on the voices. On the motion of the Hon. Sir A. T. Ngata, the Cook Islands report was referred to the Industries and Commerce Committee. I Replying to a question, Sir Apirann Ngata said it had been suggested that references to the vessel Maui Pomare should be the subject of inquiry. Replying to Mr W. J. Broadfoot (Waitomo), the Hon, G. W. Forbes said that the Cinnabbar moth had been liberated in certain infected areas and had given fairly hopeful results. He would give an indication as to further liberations as soon as it was known what supplies were available.

HINDS-RAK Al ROAD. Mr D. Jones (Mid-Canterbury) asked whether it was a fact that on account of shortage of funds the Highways Board had cancelled the agreement tor construction of a bitumen road between Hinds and Rakaia. The Hon. E. A. Ransom replied that the Mam Highways Board had agreed to pay a subsidy of £3 to £1 to the Ashburton County Council towards the cost of reconstructing and surfacing the Dunedin-Christchurch main highway between the Rakaia river and Hinds as and when funds were available; but on account of prior commitments in that district it was unable to recommend provision of funds for work during the present financial year The following Bills were introduced and read a first time:—Counties Amendment Bill (Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle), Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Amendment Bill (Hou. A. J. Stallworthy), Shops and Offices Amendment Bill (Hon. W. A. Veitch). Apprentices Amendment Bill (Mr Veitch), Patents, Designs and Trade Marks Amendment Bill (Hon. T. M. Wilford). The Hon. J. B. Donald was given leave to withdraw the Pacific Cable Sale Authorisation Bill. Mr. W. J. Jordan (Labour, Manukau) urged the Minister of Education to investigate the position and ascertain whether any steps could be taken in the interest of a candidate who, on applying for -a recount in a University Scholarship examination, had been informed that his papers had been accidentally burned. The former Minister of Education had stated that the Department had no power over the University Council but Mr. Jordan said he thought that the Minister should endeavour to exert at least some influence on the University Council in order to secure justice in such a case.