PARLIAMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 10 September 1930, Page 9

PARLIAMENT

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

(By Telegraph—From "The Mail's" Parliamentary Reporter)

WELLINGTON, 9th September. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. to-day. The examiners on petitions for private Bills reported that in., their opinion the London and New Zealand Bank .Amendment Bill should not be allowed to proceed on account of informalities, notably inadequate time of notification in the Gazette. The Bill was referred to the Committee on Standing Orders on Private Bills.

Mr H. T. Armstrong (Labour, Christchurch East) intends to ask the Minister of Marine whether he would explain the reason for the delay in bringing down the. Harbours Amendment Bill, which hud been asked for by the Harbours Association since 1924, and which was actually promised in, 1928. Mr Armstrong asked if it was correct that the Minister had informed the association that he intended to delay the Rill for another year. The Acting-Prime Minister (the Hon. E. A. Ransom) gave notice to introduce the Incorporated Societies Amendment Bill.

Mr J. S. Fletcher (Independent, Grey Lynn) gave notice to ask the Minister of Railways whether, in view of the fact that imported Australian coal was increasing unemployment, he would refer the question to the Railways Com. mittee and ask the Committee to report to the House within 14 days. Mr C H. Chapman (Labour, Wellington North) stated his intention to ask the Acting-Prime Minister whether he would take steps to have an investigation made of banking and financial institutions for the purpose of seeing if more aid could be given to industry. Mr Chapman pointed out that, in spite of the depression, the banks and financial institutions were making millions in profits. „ . , Mr W. E. Barnard (Labour, Napier) asked the Minister of Public Works whether he was aware that contrary to the statement of the Acting-Prime Minister men were being discharged from standard public works jobs, and whether he would put a stop to these dismissals and reinstate any men who had received notices of discharge since 29th August last, when the statement referred to was made. The Minister (the Hon. W. B. Taverner) replied that a small number of men were 'discharged on 29th August, but instructions had been given for their reengagement on other available work m the same district. He said there was no intention of dismissing men unnecessarily. The idea seemed to be abroad that men were being put off in large numbers, but that was not the case. , . The Leader of the Opposition (the Right Hon. J. G. Coates) asked the Minister of Railways if it was a fact that a large number of girls employed m the Railway Department were being discharged. , /■" ~ The Hon. W. A. Veitch said he would like to know from where it was alleged they were being discharged. The General Manager of Railways had informed him that there was no intention of dispensing with the services of any number of girls. _i .'.■; ~,. The Leader of the Labour Party (Mr H E. Holland) asked the Acting-Prime Minister whether the Government would suitably recognise the action of R. Taylor the sole survivor of the recent blasting accident on the West Coast, in going to the assistance of his comrades in spite of injuries. ... . The Hon. E. A. Ransom replied that when the reports came to hand he would be glad to take the 1 matter into his serious consideration. Mr Holland asked the Minister of Internal Affairs whether he would recommend to the Royal Humane bociety that Taylor's action receive suitable re : cognition. . .... The .Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle) said that it would give him great pleasure to communicate with the Royal Humane Society, and he was sure that the Society would favourably consider the request. Mr R. McKcen Wellington South) asked Mr Ransom if his attention had been drawn to a statement in last night's "Post" to the effect that

•\ circular had been issued from the head office of the Public Works Department advising reductions in wages, and whether in view of the assurance which had been'given by the Acting-Prime Minister that no reductions would be made, lie would see to it that the circular was withdrawn. . Mr "Ransom said he was not acquainted with the matter, but he would answer the question to-morrow. IMPORTED COAL The Minister of Railways (Hon W. A. Veitch) said that there seemed to be an impression abroad that the Railway Department had purchased '■ between 40,000 and 50,000 tons of coal, and that the Department was importing large quantities of coal. This was not so. The last consignment of Australian coal had arrived on 17th July, and there were no outstanding orders. Mr Howard: "Has the Department bought any imported coal in New ZeaMr Veitch said that the Department had bought only a small quantity to oblige a gas company which desired to obtain imported coal, but could not use a whole shipment.