STATE ADVANCES OFFICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18455, 19 July 1923, Page 10

STATE ADVANCES OFFICE

OPERATIONS DURING YEAR.

CHATTEL SECURITY-LOANS.

WORKERS AND SETTLERS.. [BY TELEGRAPH.— REPORTER.] ; WELLINGTON. Wednesday. The annual report of the State Advances Office shows that the advances authorised for settlers during' the year totalled 1580, the amount being £827,750. The business in Auckland was larger than in any other district, the applications numbering : 572 and the advances.,amounting to £193,135. The net profit of the Advances to Settlers branch was £29,255. The report states that advantage is being freely taken by borrowers of the authority given to the eUipartment under the' amendment Act passed last ■ year to make advances on chattel security. Up to May 31 a sum of. £25,950 had been authorised by the board to, bo lent. , With regard to the redemption of mortgages, the advances authorised from October 31, 1922 (the date of the passing of the Agreement Act), to May 31, 1923, number 878, and amount to £615,175. The amount actually paid over to 301 borrowers to May 31 last was. £189,435. In the Advances to ■ Workers branch, the business in Auckland was again the largest, there being 618 applications, and the advances amounted to £300,2915. The total applications for the Dominion numbered 1585, and the advances £783,820. The net profits of this branch amounted to £11,5:58. ; ■/"..•■ In th 9 Advances to Local Authorities branch, the amount actually paid over to 145 local bodies . during . the year was £191,365. Loans to the number of 1503 have been made ,to local bodies. They are now indebted to the extent of £2,573.971 in respect of principal moneys. The net loss amounted to £423. This loss will in the course of time disappear, the sinking fund being no longer a charge on the capital. : In the Public Debt Sinking Fund branch, the advances to local bodies numbered 121, the amount being £332,455, while £271.255 was advanced to 392 set-, tlers and £73,915 to 131 -workers.

In regard to the Advances Office Sinking Fund, the amount actually paid over to 190 settlors during the year was £143.120; to 50 workers. £31,465; and to 21 local bodies, £26.725; a total of £201.310.

There are nowi 1280 settler* indebted to th« extent of ' £805,090; 139 workers, Vt&SSS; and local bodies (in" respect of 9* r 'nans), £325.413; a. total of £1,205,359 in lespect of principal moneys.

WOMEN AS JUSTICES.

BILL PASSED IN HOUSE.

ONLY TAKES THREE MINUTES

[BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Wednesday.

The Justices of tho Peace Amendment Bill (Mr. Wilford), which provides for women justices, received a speedy passage in the House- of Representatives tins evening. It was put through the Committee stage and read a third time, and passed the whole operation within three minutes. .

Except for the Imprest Supply Bill, it is die first Bill passed this session. The hardest part may be in front of it, however, for last year it was rejected by the Legislative Council. ' '.-•

THE HOMESTEAD SYSTEM,

VIRGIN CROWN LANDS. NORTH AUCKLAND BLOCKS. [BY TELEGRAPH. — j REPORTER.] - WELLINGTON. Wednesday. ': The Minister for Lands was recently, asked by Mr., A. Bell (Bay of Islands) whether he would place soldier settlers who have selected virgin Crown lands in the North Auckland district, and who so desire, under the "homestead scheme."

The Hon. R. F. Bollard replied to-day that the waste' lands developmen. system, which involves the issue, of a freehold title without payment for the land, ia intended to apply only to lands which, by reason of their character, cannot ho profitably disposed of under the ordinary conditions of the Land Act or; the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act. As no such lands have been allotted to discharged soldiers, none of their sections can.be dealt with as suggested.

RACING LEGISLATION.

PUBLISHING DIVIDENDS.

ADDITIONAL PERMITS.

[BY TELEGRAPH.SPECIAL REPORTER,] WELLINGTON. Wednesday. Replying to Mr. G. Witty (Riccarton) in the House of Representatives to-day, the Minister for Internal Affairs, the Hon. R. F. Bollard, stated a Gaming Bill would be introduced this year, which would enable the question of publication of totalisator dividends to be submitted to the House if. it was not expressly dealt with in the Bill.

To Mr. A. Bell (Bay of Islands), who asked whether legislation would bo brought down dealing! with the issue of extra totalisator permits, and giving special consideration to those dubs which had no permits at the present time, tho Minister stated, legislation on the subject was in 'course of preparation by the Law Drafting Office..

DIVISION ON SUGAR DUTY.

GOVERNMENT'S MAJORITY.

TWO LIBERALS INCLUDED.

[BJ TELEQBAPH.—PRESS association.] WELLINGTON. Wednesday.

The close of the debate-.. on the new sugar import duties in the House of Representatives this morning was followed by a, division upon an amendment by Mr. McCombs, which would have had the effect of disposing of the proposed protection for refined sugar. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr.Wilford, had earlier in the discussion remarked that there had been no time to consult his party regarding the resolutions, and they had a free hand. As it turned out, removal of the party issue from the division saved the Government, as the figures were: Ayes, 35; Noes, 32. - Contributing to this narrow majority were Messrs. T. K. Sidey (Dunedin South), and Mr. H. Atmoro (Nelson), both of whom were keenly concerned to ensure that manufacturers of. jams, confectionery and ipreserves in Now Zealand shall be sure of a constant supply and a high quality.of refined sugar.

MR. MASSEY AS VOLCANO,

BETTER THAN A GEYSER.

[by telegraph. SPEClAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Wednesday.' "The. member for Wanganui has said I am an extinct political volcano," said Mr. fef '?, House of Representatives, ennrf tV!„ ,WOuld ■■• oon , c 'r,be an extinct vol--22 sulnh aUl Tv bubbli »g' mud-throw-&teri- Ur ' - 8 Soy**.";; (Loud