PARLIAMENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 226, 23 August 1929, Page 8

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THIS MORNING’S SITTING. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, A.ug. 23. The House of Representatives met at 10.30 this morning. A division was oalled for on the question of whether the A to L petitions committee should be permitted to meet at 11 a.m., Labour members objecting to the committee meeting during the sitting of the House. Replying to the objections, Mr MacPherson said that the petition was an urgent one and consideration had been delayed as a result of the wiant-of-confidence motion.

Reform members interjected, asking whose petition it was. Mr MacPherson did not reply and a division was called for. Mr O’Brien, rising to a point of order, started that if the committee were allowed to sit. probably for only half an hour, it would save the Auckland witnesses the expense of remaining in Wellington for the week-end. The motion was put and carried on the voices. COOK ISLANDS REPORT. On the motion of Hon. Apirana Ngata, the Cook Islands report was referred *o the industries and commerce committee. Replying to a question, Hon. Apirana Ngata said that it had been suggested that the references to the vessel Maui Pomare should be the subject of an inquiry. CINNABAR MOTH. Replying to Mr Broadfoort, Hon. G. W. Forbes said that the cinnabar moth hud been liberated in certain wheat infected areas and had given fairly hopeful results. He would give an indication as to further liberations as soon as it is known what supplies were available. MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD. Mr Jones asked whether irt was a fact that, cn account of the shortage of funds, the Highways Board had cancelled. the agreement for the construction of the bitumen road between Hinds and RakaiaHon. E. A. Ransom replied that the Main Highways Board had agreed to pay a subsidy of £3 to £1 to the Ashburton County Council towards the cost of reconstructing and surfacing the Dunedin-Christchurck main highway between the Rakaia River and Hinds as and when funds were available, but on account of prior commitments in 'this district it was unable to recommend the provision of funds for the work during the present financial year. FIRST READINGS. The following bills were introduced and read the first time: Counties Amendment Bill (Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle); Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Amendment Bill (Hon. A. J. Stallworthy); Shops and offices Amendment Bill (Hon. W. A. Veitch); Apprentices Amendment Bill (Hon. VV . A. Veitch ; Patents. Designs and trade Marks Amendment Bill (Hon. T. M. Wilford). BILL WITHDRAWN. Hon. J. B. Donald was given leave to withdraw the Pacific Cable Sale Authorisation Bill. BUDGET DEBATE. The debate on the Financial Statement was resumed by Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, who said that lie had recently seen ' a statement that the Highways Board had a balance of £500,000. This was an entirely wrong state of affairs when there were so many unemployed in the oountry. Mr Stall worthy said that Hon. W. Downie Stewart had made light of the fact that there had been a small deficit last year, but in one of his own budgets lie had stressed tlio importance of balancing the accounts. The present Finance Minister was setting out to balance the Budget and to introduce a progressive programme of development. When Reform members criticised Sir Joseph Ward for not having yet put all his election promises into effect, they should remember that when Sir Joseph had put these proposals before the electors he had a right to expect that, if elected, he would have three years at least in which to develop his programme. Mr Stallworthy said he was confident that the Prime Minister would be able within reasonable tune to give effect to all his pledgee. LAND PROPOSALS. Referring to the Government’s land proposals, Mr Stallworthy said that they should result in a reduction of speculative values of land in New Zealand, and this should ultimately be a godsend to the country. At the present time there was a tendency for some producers to be delivered into the hands of the moneylenders as the result of their holding properties of greater size than they could afford. He referred to the axiom ‘ "'he owns the land, owns the people, and he st *ted that under the new system the state he had outlined should cease to exist. The debate had indicated that many members did not have a clear outlook on the subject of taxation, w hicli should be based on payment for services rendered by the State, and the exemption from taxation that the large landowners had enjoyeul in recent years did not comply with that pmi Cll Mr WJ. Jordan (Manukdu) urged the Minister of Education to .investigate the position and ascertain whether any step could bo taken m the interest of a candidate who, on applying for a recount in the university scholarship examination, had been informed that his papers had been accidentally burned. The former Minister of Education had stated that the department had no power over the University Council, but Mr Jordan said lie thought the kimster should endeavour to exert at least lus influence on the University Council in order to secure justice in such a oase. RATE OF INTEREST. Mr Jordan said that there was a point in regard to mortgages to which he would like to draw attention. The Prime Minister had stated that he ■would borrow at 41. per cent, and advance the money at 4J per cent. He had not been able to obtain as favourable terms as he had expected, but even so it might have been possible for him to have advanced the money with the same margin between the rates at which he raised and advanced it He had raised money at £5 Us Id per cent., but six and even 6* per cont. was mentioned as the rate on ad(Mataura) expressed the opinion that the increaso in the primage duty would have little effect on a working man’s family, even if it were passed on, and he named a list of foodstuffs and other necessities that 'did not have to be imported, and on which therefore no duty had to be paid. The House adjourned at 1 p.m.