HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 16 July 1928, Page 8

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MEMBERS' QUESTIONS (By Telegraph) (From "The'Mail's'' Parliamentary Reporter). WELLINGTON, 14th July. In the. Houso of Representatives yesterday Mr J, A. Lee (Auckland East) gave tmtieo to ask the. Prime Minister whether his attention had been called to fiio fact that in 1927 a record number of people had departed permanently fiom'tho Dominion, and whether he did not think it wa.s bettor to keep citizens in the Dominion rather than' huving them leave owing to unemployment. Mr W. 11. Field (Ofaki) gave notice to ask the Minister in Charge of the Valuation Department when it was proposed to proceed with the revaluation of tho Horowlienua County. Mr P. Eraser (Wellington Central) gave notice of his intention to introduce the City and Suburban Water Supply Amendment Bill and the Right to Work Bill. IMr P. Fraser (Wellington Central) gave notice to ask the Prime Minister whether in view of widespread unemployment, poverty, and distress prevailing the Government would consider the desirability of extending the rent restriction legislation for a, longer period and in a more effective form, or alternatively, whether legislation providing for the establishment of a Fair Rents Court would bo introduced.

T. B. INQUIRY

Mr W. G. Glenn (Rangitikei) asked thV Minister of Health when the report of the T.B. Committee would be available for publication. The Hon. J. A. Young said that the committee, which consisted of three of tho leading medical men of tho Dominion, had not yet finished its work, and consequently no report was yet .to hand. He believed the report, when presented, would contain much that was valuabto and of interest to the public, and lie would be glad fo make it public amlj if uecessary, to Have it laid on tho table of tho House.

PACIFIC CABLE

Mr Fraser asked the Prime Minister (1) wheTTier the New Zealand Government as a member of the Pacific Cable Board, had'been represented at the recent Imperial Wireless and Cable Conference; (2) whether, if tho NewZealand Government was so represented its representative acted under instructions from tho Cabinet; (3) whether tho Government supports tho reported recommendations of tho conference; (4) whether the Prime Minister can inform tho Houso what tho nature of tho reported recommendations a.ro; (5) whether there is danger that the Pacific. Cable Board, on which tho British and Dominions' Governments aro represented, will be replaced by a private commercial concern; (6) whether, in tho event of the rumoured merger botween the wireless arid cable interests taking place, any provision will ho made for safeguarding the interests of tho general public; will tho Governments of iha various British Domfnions and the British Government have adequate control of tho new commercial concern; (7) _ what arrangements are contemplated in regard to the financial interests of the Dominion in tho present Pacific Cable concern? In rcplv. the Prime Minister (tho Rf. Hon. "J. G. Coatcs) said that the question of Imperial communications and the amalgamation of services,- or possibly an arrangement between the cable and wireless services, had been under consideration at a conference in London; at which the various Governments concerned were represented. The report -of the conference had only reached him this week, and he hafl had. informatio'n to-day that further information was on the way. Mr Coates said ho had not yet studied the report, and that he would not he able to do so until final information was received from Great Britain. When he had full information he would make a statement in the matter.

A MEMBER'S POSITION

Mr W. L. Martin (Raglan), to correct what he described as a misrepresentation by Mr C. E. Macmillan (Tauranga), denied having been a party to the increase in the cost of fertilisers; denied being a director or shareholder of tho Farmers' Fertiliser Company: and denied that be was a. member of the Country Party. He was a. member of the Farmers' Union executive in Auckland and president of the Waikato branch and was not ashamed of belonging to tho union. Ho did not know who the loader of the Country Party was nor who comprised the executive, but he did know that the Country Party put up a candidate against him at tho Raglan ■by-election. Tue Farmers' Union was a non-political body.

The Hon. A. I). McLcod: "For how long?" Mr 'Martin: "Ever sinco I hayo been on it—for fourteen years."