POLITICAL NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18534, 9 October 1920, Page 9

POLITICAL NOTES.

[From Oub Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, October 8. OBJECTION TO A QUESTION. Exception was taken by tho Prime Minister* to a question which Dr Thacker gavo notice to ask the Government, as it contained, in Air Massoy’s opinion, a statement which should not go on tho Order Paper. Air Speaker replied that all questions were subject to scrutiny before printing. Dr Thacker asked by whoso authority tho High Commissioner presented General Godlcy with a sword of honour on behalf of tho people of New Zealand, and who will bo responsible for payment therefor? (2) Has the High Commissioner a freo hand to spend the Dominion’s money on such and similar things, and has ho free housing at Now Zealand’s headquarters? WORKERS’ HOMES. “ There aro some serious allegations about tho conduct of the workers’ dwellings contracts at Miramar,” declared the member for Wellington South, when ho told tho House to-day that although tho Prime Alinister had announced that half a dozen houses would have been finished by tho present date none were even partially finished, and nine men left the job yesterday. .He thought that a Select Committee should investigate tho whole circumstances of tho contract and clear up the position. Air Massey stated ho had no definite but ho had an impression that things were unsatisfactory between the Government and the contractor, and ho personally had doubts whether tho contractor should bo allowed to go on. A groat deal of time had been lost. Colonel Mitchell: Not on© house finished in nine months. Air Alassoy: A largo proportion should have been occupied a long time ago. Replying to a question, Air Alassoy added that tho Alinister of Labour was anxious to introduce a Housing Bill at au early date, and ho believed some attention was being given to the farming of houses by tenants. TRADE PROSPECTS. The Prim© Alinister lias several times referred to the possibility of after-war depression reaching New Zealand. Ho returned to the topic to-night, declaring the outlook was good, and the future depended on ourselves. There was a general impression that w© were going to have general depression before long. He was bound to say that ho saw indications in other parts of tho world. . , A Alember: It. is only propaganda. Air Massey: I would like to believe it. I say that this country is so productive that I am certain that by pull--ID^lr° 0 Howard interjected something about harnessing water power. Mr Massey: 1 don’t think the depression will last long, but wo see that some of our staple products have seriously fallen in price. I am thinking particularly of wool. A Alember: It won’t be for long Air Massey: Wo will not get back to war prices. , , Air Hanan: Labour won’t go down. Air Alassev said he was glad to see tho British people, were increasing their exports. If they could only do that, the depression would not last JongEven in America to-day our produce had fallen. He did not want to magnify these things, but he had reliable information that there had boon, a fall, and wo must onoourago production and make the land produce more. Air Sullivan: Encourage tho secondary industries. Air Alassey: Encourage that as much as possible.