PARLIAMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 13 August 1920, Page 4

PARLIAMENT

LOCAL BODIES AND BORROWING. REMARKS BY PREMIER. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.i WELLINGTON, This Day. I On the third reading, wherein ' the rate of interest was reduced by the ! Local Bills Committee from 6 to s^-per cent, in the Napier Bill, Mr. Veitch asked the Prime Minister if he would give an indication of the policy of the Government with regard to loans proposed to he raised by local bodies. . A number of local bodies were having difficulty in raising the money they required, “and quite a number were on the market with loans. What was the Government doing to prevent their competing with one another. The Prime Minister said the Go-' veminent, after full and mature consideration, had decided that local bodies should not borrow at a rate that would give the lender more than 5£ per cent. Tile policy that local bodies were following-throughout the country was unwise. If they continued competing they would have money up to the extreme rate in England. Established linns who wished to extend their business were obtaining money at 8 to 10 per cent. I! that happened in Engand it was bound to have an effect here! Fortunately, there was sufficient monev in New Zealand for the country’s requirements; but tic did not know whether they would be able to keep it here. It would be much better for the country if local bodies did not rush in with the present shortage of labour and material. He asked the bon. member to advise th© local s. bodies in his district, if they were contenmlating- borrowing, not to endeavour to get everything done in the first month, 0 t Dio first six months, of the tinsb year. Public works that had to be done now were costing very much more than under normal circumstances. It meant that people would be burdened for vears with the extra cost of the work done. He wished to me Mublic works Co ahead: hut he wisliod also to see taxpayers and ratepayers .r Ct value for their money. It would not help if local bodies competed lor labour and material. . . , The proposal that practising masseurs should be registered came a»rain when the Registration Bill was in committee. Considerable discussion occurred upon whether the door should be opened wider than the BUi proposed, and ultimately the Minister agreed that a masseur should be considered competent, and therefore eligible for registration, if be had . been in practice for three years within five vears immediately preceding the P^ s ’ ing of the Act., The Bill was reported without further amendment. ~ Apart from local bills the House aid no other business, most of the afternoon going in the debate following the tabling of the report of imperial Supplies.

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AND MARRIAGES. It is understood there is little prospect of the Statutes Revision Committee being far enough in its investigations regarding allegations made against the attitude of the Roman Catholic Church in New Zealand towards marriages not celebrated by priests of its own denomination to report to the Legislative Council tonight. The Committee is. sitting again this afternoon, and will probably have its report ready for presentation when the Council meets on Tuesday.