HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 19 July 1923, Page 5

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The-House met at 2.30 p.m. hepiying to Mr W. J. Jordan (Manakau), the lion. G. J. Anderson said tiie coal shortage, in the Dominion was due to short supplies coming from Australia. The Mines Department was, however, doing its best u> meet the peculiar circumstances, and would see, as far as possible, that the coal available was equally distributed oveir the various parts of the Dominion.

In reply to questions, Ministers gave the following amongst- other answers: That in connection with the New Zealand Breweries, Ltd., the assessment of duty will be made by the otticers of the Stamjp Duties Department in accordance with the law, and full investigation of transactions would be made

when assessing duty. That the banks are well forward with their scheme, in the interests of public health, fo, r the issue of ten shilling and one pound notes of similar size respectively, and, so far as possible, that oiny clean notes will be in circulation. That the amusement tax will be gradually reduced, a commencement having been made last year. That the Government have no i) tention of asking Parliament for a 1 eduction in the wages or salaries <>f State employees, either before or after the proposed reduction in -the land a/id income tax.

That there was no intention to discontinue the publication of the Agricultural Journal, which is serving -a very useful purpose. That the Public Wo*ks Department is at present considering the question of issuing Dominion licenses as against local I:censes fo,r electrical wiremen. That the provision of free school books for children would involve so large an expenditure that the Government- could not -undertake It at- present.

That the question of amending hospital subsidies so that the average subsidy will not be less than £1 j,:r £1 is now under the consideration of the Government. That legislation is in-course if piepairation dealing with the issue of extra fcotalisator permits.

■ That provision was made in the Motor Bill introduced in 1921 giving power to magistrates, in cases of reckless motor driving, to make orders t roventing persons from driving thei, r '-, irs for definite periods. It is proposed to reintroduce the measure at the earliest possible moment, though it might not be possible to deal with it durino- the present sess'on.

Mr _. J. Howard (Christchurch South) moved the second reading of the Workers' Compensation Amendment tfi 11, which sought to raise the compensation payable for death or total disablement- from £750 to £1000. He explained that it was understood this was done m the last Parliament, but it was now found that this was not so.

Mr T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition) said the Reform Party might have to defend its attitude towards Labour legislation, but the Liberal Party did not have to do so because the Liberal Party laid the foundation for all such measures as that now before the House. The measure was far-reaching as far as employers were concerned, but it was largely a matter of insurance. He agreed entirely with the proposal in the Bill to increase the medical and surgical expenses Hr the case of an accident. He wanted to see the workers have faith in Parliament and in constitutional government, and to make adequate provision for workers' against accident was one of the surest ways of creating contentment and bringing about industrial peace. The Bill to that extent ap peaked to sound reason, -rather than to sympathy, and he would vote for the second reading. The Hon. G. J. Anderson said he was of opinion that the amendments made in the Act last year made it the best of its kind in the world, and with that he though th© Labour Party would have been satisfied. They, however, .now- made it clear they would he satisfied with nothing short of full wa<*es during disablement, and full medical and surgical expenses. That was what everyone might like to see, but they had to be practical and do what they could. To do what the Labour Pa,rty wanted would raise insurance premiums out of all proportion, and they had to stop short of that ideal. He did not think they could fairly eliminate the principle of "common employment" altogether, and the. proposal to pay £1000 on the death of a worker was abit of an advance and was hedged about with many difficulties. They would have to go very carefully before they took such a step. He, however, agreed that every employer should insure his workmen. The other proposals were so far-reaching that while he did not object to the second reading, he thought the Bill should be referred to the Labour Bills Committee, where all the proposals could be sifted and examined. At the same time he urged caution in going as far as the Bill proposed.

Eventually the B'll was- read «. second time and referred to the Labour Bills Committee.

The Rent Restriction Continuance Bill was introduced by the Hon. G. J. Anderson and read a. first time.

The Justices of the Peace Amendment Bill wa-s introduced by Mr Wiford, was put through the committee stage without amendment, read a third time and passed.

The remainder of the sitting was taken up with the discussion on the report of the Agricultural Department, a number of speakers strongly appealing to the Government to offer a liberal inducement to farmers to grow wheat.

The House <rose at 11.10 till 2.30 tomorrow.