HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 12 October 1922, Page 6

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS

The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m:

Replying to Mr. G. Witty (Riccarton),'the Hon. W. D. Stewart said provision was mad© in the Rating Amendment Bill for a rebate to ratepayers for prompt payment of rates.

In reply to Mr. G. 11. Sykes (Masterton), the Hon. E. P. Lee said no egg Eulp,_ was being imported into the •ominion at present, and had not been for* the past eighteen months. Replying to Mr. F. F.-Hackly (Rotorua), the Hon. D. H. Guthrie said the qi<estion of excursion, fares on the railways ;had been considered, but so far no improvement had taken place in railiray revenue, and until that took place he was not prepared to say these concessions could be granted. , Replying, to Mr. O. Hawken, (Egmont), the Hon. D. 'H. Guthrie said the boards set up to report on soldier settlements would report on every settlement in New Zealand. He stated hi* had almost completed the personnel of the board, and would.announce them to-morrow if possible. • In reply to other questions Ministers gave the following answers: — That it is not possible at present, owing to the many demands made on the funds of the JState Advances Department, to increase the amount that may be lent to a local authority in any one financial year. '.-.'..

That as> a strong reserve has now been built up in connection with the ,Governm&nt*.a,ccident insurance branch, it is propo.se<i in future to apply the profits towards Bonuses for policyholders. The next triennial period, however, does not end until December, 1923, and the matter, will then be attended t».

That inquiries will be made into alleged excessive interest charges on small loans On furniture arid chattels, and when reports have been received the introduction of- legislation to* deal with the position will be considered.

In reply to ai question whether he could devise ''any system by which, residents in this Dominion and the Commonwealth could pay reciprocal visits at more reasonable passenger rates than prevailed at present, the Minister of Marine said this was a matter in which the Government \could not; interfere. The shipping companies trading- between the Dominion and Australia doubtless gave full consideration to the cost of the services provided and the amount of business offering when fixing the passenger rates.

That- the Government has no intention of placing under, the public service commissioners the control of th© Railway Department's employees and those of all other departments not at present under control. y ' ■ NEW BILLS. Mr. P.- Fraser ■ (Wellington Central) ■. gave notice of his intention to introduce a Housing Amendment Bill.. The Hon. W.-.D. Stewart gave notice of his intention to introduce a Fencing Amendment Bill. EDUCATION MATTERS. The Hon. C. J. Parr presented the annual report *of the Education Department. , / In reply to Mr. G. Witty (Riccarton), he said there was no truth in a rumour j that the allowances for. secondary edu- j cation are to be cut down by large amounts. j

The evening sitting was occupied^ with the debate on taxation. The House rose at 1.5 a.m. till 2.30 p.m. tomorrow.