PARLIAMENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 251, 18 September 1930, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

“WASHING-UP” BILLS INTRODUCED SIGNS OF END OF SESSION Proceedings in tlie House of Representatives yesterday contained little of interest. Various committees reported on petitions, after which the nurses and Midwives’ Registration Amendment Bill was again discussed. In the evening appeared two “Washing-Up” Bills, indicating that the end of the session is fast approaching.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. BILLS PASSED. WELLINGTON, Sept. 17. In the Legislative Council this afternoon, the Kirkpatrick Masonic Institute Empowering Bill, the Dunedin Waterworks Extension Bill, the Dunedin District Drainage and Sewerage Amendment Bill, and the Waiapu County Council Empowering Bill were passed. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. beplies to questions. WELLINGTON, Sept. 17. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 to-day. In reply to questions asked by the leader of the Labour Party, Mr H. E. Holland, the acting Prime Minister, Hon. E. A. Ransom, said the policy of the Government in the matter of the number of men employed in the Public Works and Railway Departments, had not been altered and there was no present intention to make reductions ol ihe staff in them. It must, however, be recognised that it was impossible for the Government to give an undertaking that no reductions would take place under any condition that might arise, that being entirely dependent on the available funds and economic value of the work to be carried out.

The amendment was seconded by Rev. C. Carr, who said that he was opposed to importing anything into this country that could be produced here at a reasonable price. Mr G. C. Black supported the recommendation of the committee. He claimed that there was every reason to anticipate that there would be a good market at Home for products of the New Zealand pig and poultry industries, and lie believed that their development would be of great value to the Dominion. Mr H. E. Holland said that unless some other provision were made for the wheat industry in New Zealand, it would be seriously affected by the loss of protection. If the duties were removed they should be substituted by a bounty. It was essential, in the interest of the country, that such an important industry should not be endangered. THE NURSING BILL. The debate on the motion to commit the Nurses and Mid wives Registration Amendment Bill' was resumed. Rev. C. Carr urged that before tlie Bill was passed the House should be given adequate assurance that the reciprocal arrangements with the Nursing Council oi England and Wales would not be affected.

Mr G. R. Sykes said that there seemed to be some confusion with regard to a cablegram from England in reply to a query concerning the effect of the legislation on reciprocal arrangements. The four main hospitals in New Zealand which would come within the scope of the Bill would, in England, be classed as voluntary hospitals and such institutions there were recognised as training schools for nurses. Hospitals classified as private institutions in Britain were those conducted purely for profit and it was these hospitals which were not jecognised as training schools. He contended that there wa6 ample evidence that the reciprocal arrangements would not be prejudiced. Mr W. E. Barnard said that the more,one considered the objections raised by the Trained Nurses Ass-ici-i----tion, the more one became convinced that the reason was their anxiety oyer reciprocity. This could bo readily understood because it was already difficult for all nurses '.rained in this country to find employment in New Zealand. He intended to support the Bill but he looked to the Minister to reassure the House that the reciprocal arrangements would be safeguarded. Mr K. S. Williams asked the Minister to assure the House that the high standard of efficiency in the nursing profession would not suffer in any way in consequence of the Bill. He thought the Minister should tell the House exactly what correspondence had passed between his department and England on the subject of reciprocity.

With regard to the present coal situation, Mr Ransom said it was recognised that new conditions created in Australia necessitated action for the protection of the New Zealand coalproducing industry. This • • question, however, was involved in a reciprocal tariff agreement now current between this Dominion and Australia, no departure from which could be made without six months’ notice being given. The question would shortly be considered by Cabinet with a view to deciding whether such notice should be given. DAYLIGHT SAVING REQUEST.

A Ministerial statement with reference to the suggestion to introduce daylight saving in Canterbury in order to conserve the electric power supply, was made the Minister of Public Works, Hon. W. B. Taverner, who said that when the shortage of power occurred in the Auckland area in the month of June, he submitted proposals to cabinet recommending the (mediate introduction of daylight saving time and indicated a saving of power that could be made. The proposal, however, was not favoured by Cabinet on the grounds that it would have been- necessary to make it apply to the whole of the North Island, whereas the area affected was relatively small. ‘ln regard to Mr D. G. Sullivan’s suggestion,VUi° Minister pointed out that with the lengthening of the days as the season advances, the benefit to be derived was consequently diminishing and h&’had been advised that a saving of only 1000 kilowatts in the present load was- all that could be looked for in the city of Christchurch, and it was quite possible this saving in the peak load would only result in increased consumption of units and consequently of water at some other hours of the day. Further, it was considered inconvenient to apply a measure over the whole of the South Island when-in the ordinary course of events, summer time would operate at as close a date as October 12 and would then, of course, be uniform over the whole Dominion. In regard to the shortage of power in Christchurch city, he said. investigations were proceeding and he hoped it would be possible to increase the power available in some measure at an early date. He gave the House a definite assurance that the department would take steps to increase the gerieration of power to a satisfactory limit next winter. MEAT BOARD CRITICISED. The debate was resumed on the presentation of the report of the Agricultural and Pastoral Industries Committee on the Meat Export Control Amendment Bill.

Mr Martin also expressed the opinion that the Minister might have given the House more explicit information

on the subject. The debate was continued by a number of members. STANDARD OF EFFICIENCY. The Leader of the Opposition, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, stated that the efficiency of New Zealand trained nurses was the highest in tlie world. There should be every precaution taken to avoid sacrificing this position. The Leader of the Labour Party referred to the quality of the training in institutions such as Lewisham Hospital. There should be no danger of the standard being lower. Other members emphasised the need for assurances that the standard of efficiency would not be lowered and that reciprocal arrangements would not be endangered. Mr R. A. Wright urged that there should be some definition of the term “inadequate fee.” There should be a maximum sum fixed. MINISTER’S REPLY.

Replying to the debate, Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, Minister of Health, said that nurses on qualifying would still be given a State certificate and that would ensure maintenance of their efficiency and status and would also have a bearing on the reciprocal arrangements with the United Kingdom. He contended that it was unreasonable to suggest that the Nursing Council of England and Wales would depart from its attitude of the past. He liaxi written to the council in February last and all correspondence on the subject had been submitted to the Health Committee when the Bill was being considered. The reply had stated that private hospitals run on a commercialised profit-making basis could not be recognised as training schools and in the event of New Zealand recognising such training schools, the reciprocal arrangement would have to be reconsidered and modified. He considered that the element of dissatisfaction with the reply had been the outcome of a confusion of terms. He was quite satisfied that voluntary hospitals would be recognised as training schools by the Nursing Council of England and Wales because similar institutions were recognised in England. The whole confusion of terms had been the result of the different use of the name private hospital in the two countries. The motion to commit the Bill was adopted on a division by 56 to 14. The House rose at midnight until 2.30 to-morrow. “WASHING-UP” BILLS. WELLINGTON, Sept. 17. The Local Legislation and Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bills, commonly known as the “Washing-Up” Bills, were unexpectedly introduced by Governor-General’s message this evening. an indication that the end of the session is not far off.

Mr H. G. Dickie maintained that the cost of administration of the Meat Board in London was excessive and could be reduced. The board had done little or nothing to assist producers in the fight against big combines at Home.

Mr F. Waite said the House should give very careful consideration to the subject before it proceeded to alter the system of election of the board. Mr W. L. Martin said the Bill sought to eliminate trade and Government representatives from the board, and he hoped the House would give serious consideration to the proposals contained in the measure. Mr C. E. Macmillan said he did not think the method of electing the board should be altered. Mr J. Bitchener stated that he had never heard one producer in his district express any wish for a change in the system of election. He thought there should be a vote of those interested before any change was made. Mr T. D. Burnett expressed the opinion that there was no necessity for a change. There was ample protection under the present Act against the operations of trusts and combines. Mr W. J. Poison said that there was a strong demand from a certain section of the farming community at all events for a change to a democratic method of election. The Farmers’ Union had definitely expressed itself in favour of a change in the method of electing the board. Mr T. W. McDonald considered that if the Bill were passed it would, go a long way towards making the board the success it should be. Replying to the debate, Mr F. Eye, chairman of the committee, said he did not think any reasonable objection could be taken to the method of election proposed in the measure. The Bill was set down for committal next sitting day. DUTIES ON STOCK FOODS.

Many questions of interest to Wellington city and the province are dealt with in the Bills. The measures aim chiefly to validate local body actions. The Wellington City Council seeks authority under one clause to purchase for £51,000' the site of the Wellington Education Board’s offices in Mercer Street. An expenditure of £968 5s 9d incurred by the Wellington Harbour Board during last financial year in compiling and publishing an historical hand-book and in. celebrations connected with the iubilee celebrations, is sought to be authorised by clause 37. The expenditure by the Manawatu Gorge Board of Control during 1927 of £3B 16s for the erection of a tablet to commemorate the completion of the work for which the board was formed is to be validated under another clause. Provision is made in the Bill for the treatment of tho proceeds of the sale of electric plant to the Wanganui-

The Agricultural and Pastoral Industries and Stock Committee recommended to the Government for favourable consideration, a petition praying for the removal of import duties on cereal and vegetable stock foods. A number of members expressed approval of the report of the committee on the ground that the recommendation, if adopted, would reduce the cost of production, while others contended that it would have a detrimental effect on the New Zealand wheat industry and increase unemployment. Mr- D. Jones moved an amendment that the report be referred back to the committee for further consideration, an abundance of food on the free list an abundance of food on thefree list lor pig breeders in New Zealand.

Rangitikei Electric Power Board by the Wanganui City Council. Purchases by the Wanganui City Council from two firms in which a member of that body was interested are to bo legalised and payment authorised. Another clause seeks to authorise the Taihape Borough Council to sell a certain municipal reserve, and with the proceeds to purchase other lands for recreational purposes. The land described in the clause was vested in the council as a reserve for municipal purposes. The purchaser of the area is mentioned as an important oil company and its area is one rood 28 perches*