PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

Marlborough Express, Volume LIV, Issue 186, 7 August 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

PUBLIC SERVICE BONUS

[from our correspondent.]

WELLINGTON, Aug. 6

It was announced by the Prime Minister to-day that the Treasury expected to be able to pay the recentlyauthorised bonuses to railwaymen and public servants on Monday week.

NATIONAL ENDOWMENTS

The Minister for Lands gave a hint to the House tins afternoon that rh order to make the homestead system workable ho wouM propose an important piece of legislation affecting large areas of national endowment kinds, which were reserved some years ago for the benefit of education. The Hon. Mr Guthrie, in replying to criticism regarding the slow development of a. particular estate, reminded the House that ho got through a measure in reference to the old homestead system wliich would have been excellent had it been carried far enough. It was obvious that poor lands could only be settled by giving monetary assistance. Lasb December he gave instructions that the Homestead Act should be put into effect, but found himself up against the fact that muc-h of the poor land was national : endowment. If the House was in earnest over the settlement of poor lands he would give it an opportunity of putting the Government's proposals into effect, by removing the restrictions •on national endowments.

"We are not robbing the endowments," concluded Mr Guthrie, "but we will give the settlers the right, if they make the land productive, to be able to purchase it, if the House supports me." Mr Jennings: "I will support you." '

Mr Witty: "You could burst up the big estates if You wished." The Minister replied ;that if his questioner had had experience of compensation proceedings he would not think much of that method.

MEMBERS FREE PASSAGES

It was suggested by Mr Sidey (fhuiedin South) ditring discussion of the- Legislative Estimates.1 that members felt somewhat sensitive over the present system of free passages on \the Union Company's steamers between the two islands. South Island members; were at a disadvantage over the North Islanders, but the position had been put right, though not by the Oovornment. He 'would like the Prime Minister to say how it came about, because a good deal was being said outside on the question and members felt that they were under an obligation to the Uniori Company. The Prime Minister replied that for many years the Union Company had been in tho habit of carrying southern members at single rates for the double journey. Last session a large deputation waited upon him in regard to salaries and other matters. It was suggested that an arrangement be made with the Union Company. Some months afterward hp travelled on the same steamer as the general manager of the Union Steam Ship Company. When he mentioned the matter the manager's reply was, "I'll do it if you suggest it,'' and he replied: , "I'll suggest it aJI right, and no doubt a permanent aiTangement will be made next session."

Mr Massey added that he was strongly of opinion that the fares of all- members between the North and South Islands should be paid by the State, and at an early date a permanent 'arrangement would be made. —("Hear, hear").

DEPRECIATED SUPERANNU-

ATION

Strong pressure was put an the Government by msmbers. on both sides of the House to increase the superannuation allowances to public servants who retired prior to the wa£, when their ■ allowances were based on the comparatively low pre-war salaries1.

Mr Holland moved £1 reduction in the Treasury vote as an indication that the ~jlou.se wished provision to be made for increased allowances in accordance ,with the high cost of living. Mr Massey, before the motion went to the vote and was rejected by 35 votes tft!'i9, explained that the question had. been considered several times by Cabinet, the only difficulty being the financial position. Ifc would be again considered before the session came to an end, and if adopted must apply to all ex State servants. He thought that the best plan would be to bring the rate of superannuation up to a certain fixed minimum.

"No doubt the superannuated.public- servants will be pleased to be told for the third session that they have the sympathy of the Government," was the caustic comment by Mr McCombs, who wanted to know why .■something practical had not been done before.

PRICES TRIBUNALS

Mr P. Eraser (Wellington Central) moved to reduce the vote of the Trade aaid Commerce Department by £1, as a. protest against'the ineffectiveness of the prices tribunals.

Tlie motion was lost by 34 votes to 8. ■ "■

The total vote then passed. The House rose at 1 50 a.m

PROFITEERS' PUNISHMENT

There was an interesting discussion in the House on the desirability of punishing profiteers, Mr Wilford tak-~ ing the oppoi"tunity afforded by the discussion on the vote for the Industries and Commerce Department to suggest the lash for a convicted profiteer.

Mr Hudson (Motueka) agreed that fines were futile, but he hardly wished to go as far as the lash.

Further legislation dealing with profiteering was promised' by the I!on. Mr Lee, Minister in Charge, of the. Board of Trade, who said that the House would have the opportunity of expressing its views about fines and imprisonment when the Bill came before it this session.

Turning to the critics who had spoken about the alarm clocks and vaseline prosecutions, the Minister declared that the high cost of living was not felt by putting £10 on a piano, but by constant, increases on many small things. This was at the root of the matter, and it did not help the Board of Trade in keeping down the cost, of living for members to sneer at small things investigated by the prices tribunals which gave their services to the community.