£23,000,000 On Houses

Northern Advocate, 25 August 1943, Page 2

£23,000,000 On Houses

(P.A.I WELLINGTON, This Day. The second reading of the finance Bill (No. 3) was moved by the Minister for Finance (Mr Nash) who dealt with proposals in ilie measure. In ihe course of ! his remarks, he said that the Government had spent £23.000,000 on State rental houses. The Bill was read a second time. In tin- committee stages Mr Hamilton referred to a clause giving authority for tin- inspection of books of companies undertaking Government contracts and said that he was afraid ii might interfere; with efficiency. Mr W. S. Gocsman (Gppn.-Waika: o) said that the right lo examine books was a dangerous principle and would be a blow lo efficiency in business. Mr Nash, in reply, said thai the Auditor-General in his report had asked for the right to carry out an examination. A similar safeguard had been introduced in Great Britain. Tiie Bill passed the committee stage and was given a third reading and passed. The Emergency Regulations Amendment Bill also passed the second reading and was put through the committee and passed the third reading without discussion. The Statutes Amendment Bill passed its second reading and discussion on rlie committee stages was interrupted by the adjournment at 5.30 p.m. The committee stages on the Statutes Amendment Bill were continued when *he House resumed and the Bill was put through the remaining stages and passed. Urgency was accorded the passing of the Supplementary Estimates and industrial. Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill and the House went into committee of supply to consider the Supplementary Estimates. A Member's Teut-

on the vote for the Department for Labour, Mr Sullivan asked for about £SO and also £B3 in an unauthorised vote for the travelling expenses-of Mr Moneur, Government member for Rotorua. "In furtherance of the industrial war effort.” Mr Webb said that Mr Moneur had returned from overseas with information regarding the Japanese menace and had gene around Ihe factories at the invitation of employers, who had written lett--vs cf apreciation. Mr Fraser said that the House war, proud of all members who had served m the forces, and if the member lot Mafaura was well enough 10 go around and speak at factories or anywhere else, ihi- Government would be glad to send him. If Brigadier Hargest came back, and Mr Fraser said hi- hoped he would before many days wi re past, the Government would invite him to go round the country and would pay his expenses while he did' so.