PARLIAMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 13 October 1932, Page 8

PARLIAMENT

YESTERDAY’S PROCEEDINGS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (From "Tho Mail’s” Parliament,ary Reporter) WELLINGTON, 12lh October. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The lion. C. J. Carrington asked the Government whether in view of the fact that some picture posters exhibited in public places were regarded by a very large section of the public as being of a character injurious to the morals of children and youtlr, it would take steps in the direction of tightening up the censorship, or such other means as would prevent the public exhibition of such objectionable features.

“The censorship of posters used in connection with cinematograph films has been in force for approximately two years, and since its inauguration the number of specific complaints have been very few,” stated the Minister of Education (the Hon. R. Masters), in reply. “The Minister of Internal Affairs will be pleased to investigate any complaint if definite details of the particular poster and relative picture are supplied.” HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. to-day. Mr E. T. Tirikatene (Independent, Southern Maori) gave notice to ask for a return showing the total number of unemployed Maoris in the Dominion, and the average rate of wages paid to them.

Mr W. A. Veitclr (Government, Wanganui) gave notice to ask whether legislation would be introduced this session giving relief to those who had suffered hardship, or who were liable to suffer hardship as the result of personal covenants in mortgages. Mr A. Harris (Government, Waiteniata) asked the . Acting-Minister of Employment whether it was the policy of the Unemployment Board to compel married men in towns to enter country relief camps notwithstanding the fact that local bodies were willing to provide work.

The Hon. A. Hamilton said that local bodies were finding it increasingly difficult to find work, and with the summer months coming on it was thought reasonable to ask men to undertake work of a. developmental nature in the country.

The Rev. Clyde Carr (Labour, Timaru) asked the Minister of Industries and Commerce whether the recent importations by the Government of Australian wheat had been subject to the full amount of duty as provided under the sliding scale; and, if not, to what extent and by whose authority had the statutory impost been modified? Replying, the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. G. W. Forbes) said that the recent importation of wheat by the Government for sale and distribution as fowl food bad been brought in as Government property duty free. The wheat had,, however, been sold at a price of 5s 3d per bushel, sacks in, ex ships' slings, at North Island ports. This price, while more than a duty-free value, was less than a full-duty paid equivalent. Wheat to which the honourable member may be referring was recently also imported by the Wheat Marketing Agency Co., Ltd., Christchurch, under special arrangements by which duty had been paid up to a basis of value determined by internal prices of wheat and flour. It was intended that the balance of the duty on that wheat would bo covered by a- vote on the estimates of the Customs Department.

Mr Tirikatene asked the Prime Minister whether; he would take immediate steps to amend the electoral laws, with the object of placing the Maori people on the same electoral footing as the pakelia, so as to enable the election of Maori members to Parliament to be conducted oil the jame basis of secrecy as all other members. “The present system of election is unjust to the Native race in that the present- system offers no secrecy and renders the present methods of Maori elections extremely farcical,” said Mr Tirikatene.

Replying, the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. G. W. Forbes) said that the matter v'ould be gone into when the amendment, to the electoral laws was under consideration.

RENT RESTRICTION Mr R. McKeen (Labour, Wellington South) asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the expiration of the rent restriction for the protection of tenants on 31st October, 1932 (this month), lie would take immediate steps to further extend the protection to tenants under the provisions of section 3 of the Rent Restriction Extension Act, 1931, and part I of the War Legislation Amendment Act, 1916.

“This is a matter of extreme urgent importance to large numbers who are benefiting under the provisions of this Act,” said Mr McKeen. “During the past two years 338 tenants have had Llieir rents adjusted under this Act, and if it is now allowed to lapse without a further extension, a great amount of hardship will be inflicted upon people who now find it difficult to meet the present rents which they are called upon to pay.” Mr Forbes said that the matter was under the consideration of the Government.

The House proceeded to set up a number of Select Committees. When the motion in respect of the Industries and Commerce Committee was before the House, Mr H. G. R. Mason (Labour, Auckland Suburbs) suggested that the committees might be in a position to do more serious work if their numbers were cut down, and a better arrangement made for the transaction of business.

Mr Mason said it often happened t-l.iat members of a committee were unable to remain during the hearing of a petition or the consideration of other matters owing to the fact that they were on several other -committees sitting the same day. The committees were based on the party strength of the House and the decisions reached were often on a party basis.

In replying, the Prime Minister said that in setting up the Committees cognisance was taken of the strength of the parties in the House, but lie did not think it could he said that the decisions of Hie Committee were of a party nature. He said that during one session he had had a return made of the cost that would be involved if effect were given to all the petitions on which favourable recommendation had , been made. Tt was found that it cost £1,500,000. That showed how necessary it was for the Government to consider each petition.