HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 27 August 1923, Page 4

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

(BY TELEGRArB —PBESB ASSOCIATION.) | WELLINGTON, Aug. 25. The House met at noon. I The following Bills were introduced by Governor's message: Repayment of Public Debt Amendment Bill, which the .Premier stated he did not propose to go on with this session; but it was an important measure, and if a majoritywould give it support the Government

was prepared to put it on the statute' book next session. It dealt with the proposals referred to in the Budget. He hoped the members would study it during the reoess. There were also the Klectrio Power Boards Amendment, the Land Drainage Amendment and tjhe Apprentices Amendment. The Premier indicated that it was not intended to go on with the latter Bill this session. Mr. Veitch hoped that the Government would go on with the Bill, which was a most important one and had been agreed to by both employers and employees. He tnought that the House would pass it in a few minutes without amendment. ■ All the Bills were read a first time. Replying to Mr. R. A. Wright, Mr. Massey said that the bonus to superannuants would be continued this year. It was his intention to make the bonus to women permanent. ■ Replying to Mr. Harris, Mr. Massey said that there was not the slightest ohance of dealing -with the Motor Vehicles Bill this session. , Replying to Mr. Hanan," Mr. Massey said that if he could get a clause in the Gaming Bill limiting the number of horses which iriay start in a race passed he was prepared to drop the rest of the Bill. ; Mr. Isitt indicated that opponents of the Bill were prepared to make larger concessions than that. At this stage the Premier left the Chamber to proceed to Auckland, and the Hon. W. A. Nosworthy took charge of the House. . After further formal business was transacted, the House proceeded to discuss two Native Bills. PUBLIC WORKS DEBATE. '■. The principal business was the debate on the Public Works Statement and th© Estimates. Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition) said the Hon. J. G. Coates became popular as Minister for Public Works because he had so much money to spend, but the position would be different with the portfolio of railways, where he would have no money to give away. In both departments he would have to face the problem of motor transport. There must be a definite policy in regard to feeding the main hnes. The alternative to branch lines was motor traffic, but this meant an improvement in the roads, because tons of material could not be carried over bad roads. He ridiculed the estimate of the proposed five mile tunnel in connection with the Rimutaka deviation, and regretted that very little reliance could be placed on Public Works estimates generally. He advocated the completion of a connecting link between Gisborne and Auckland, whether by road or railway. Mr. J. Edie (Clutha) questioned the wisdom of encouraging motor traffic. , Settlers could not maintain their roads under the destructive influence of motor traffic. The Minister, in reply, said the estimated cost of the Rimiitaka deviation (£800,000) was based on the experience of the Otira tunnel. The Rimutaka tunnel was shorter and would be constructed under much better conditions, so that he did not think the estimate /would be far out. The House then went into Committee of Supply to consider the Public I Works Estimates, amounting to £4,806,----2 i.2. Me. W. E. Parry (Auckland Central) moved a reduction of the vote by £5 as a protest against the introduction of the contract system in constructing railways, in~"opposition to the co-opera-tive system. The Minister said there was no intention to abandon the co-operative system. The calling of tenders for one work was being done merely as a test and did not imply a change in the general policy. On a division the amendment was defeated by 35 rotes to 22. Th& vote was 'then passed. Other votes amounting to £2,120,000 were also passed. OTHER MEASURES. The Hon. J. G. Coates, oh a motion to go into committee, explained the provisions of the Native Land Amendment and Native Land Claims Adjustment Bill. The Bill passed the committee stage with amendments moved by the Minister, was read a third time and passed. The West Coast Settlement Reserves Amendment Bill was similarly dealt with, speakers generally expressing approval of the proposal to permit workers to work their own lands. The Companies Special Empowering Bill was also passed through all stages unamended.