PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19386, 22 July 1926, Page 12

PARLIAMENT.

DULL DAY IN HOUSE. REPORTS AND QUESTIONS. PI!IVAXE MEMBERS' BILLS. WORK DONE BY COUNCIL. [by IELEGEAPir. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Wednesday. » The Prime Minister returned to the House of Representatives this afternoon after his indisposition. Mr. Coates, however, remained only an hour or so and did not take charge of the business of the House. The afternoon was spent in the presentation of- papers and reports and discussion of answers to questions. The annual report of the Post and Telegraph Department was tabled without any debate. In the evening private members' bills had precedence and Mr. E. J. Howard's Workers' Compensation Amendment Bill occupied the House until a late hour, when it was read a second time and referred to the Labour Bills Committe. This was the course also followed with Mr. P. Eraser's Unemployed Workers' Bill, which came next. The Houso then rose, the hour being 12.20. The Census and Statistics Bill, the Oil on Territorial Waters Bill, the Evidence -Amendment Bill, the Destitute Persons -Amendment Bill, and the Death Duties Amendment Bill were each read a first time in the Legislative Council. The Summer - Time Bill was referred to a Select Committee and the Captive Birds Shooting Prohibition Bill (Hon. E. M. Thomson) was passed. THE TIMBER INDUSTRY. CLOSING DOWN OF MILLS. MATTER BEING INVESTIGATED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. H. E. Holland, drew attention »n the House to-day to the unemployment among sawmill hands through the closing down of mills. He said the matter was ono which affected men who were his constituents. The Minister iu charge of Industries and Commerce, Hon. A. D. McLeod, said he had seen the press references to the matter and would have inquiries made. It was recognised generally that the timber mills throughout New Zealand were not having a particularly good time. Orders had slackened off for more reasons than one "but the. whole matter v as being overhauled by his department with a view to the Government going into it. CREMATION REGULATIONS. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS. PENALTIES FOR OFFENCES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The Minister of Health has introduced an amendment to the Cemeteries Act. It provides that the Minister in control shall be the Minister of Health. The end of the financial year is to be altered from December to March. In regard to cremation the existing Act frovidesi that cremation may be directed y'will or deed. The amending bill provides for the substitution of the words "by writing under his hand." It is also proposed to alter the clause to make it read that "The executors, person, or other persons having authority to dispose of his remains may carry out the direction in the manner provided by the Act." Cemetery trustees are to be empowered to make special provision for' the burning of any human remains according to the rites of any religious denomination elsewhere than in a crematorium. Offenders in regard to the cremation regulations are to be liable to a penalty on conviction of £IOO, or to imprisonment for 12 months. For signing or uttering any false certificate with a \ T iew to procuring cremation the penalty is to be two years' imprisonment. Any person who, •with intent to conceal the commission of an offence or to impede the prosecution of any person for an offence, or who procures, or attempts to procure, the cremation of human remains, or with such intent makes any declaration, or gives any certificate prescribed by regulation, is liable to five years' imprisonment. THE GROWING OF LEMONS. AN OFFICIAL'S STATEMENT. POSITION MISUNDERSTOOD. [BY TELEGRAPH.-—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Wednesday. An adverse remark about tho growing of citrus fruit in New Zealand attributed to the director o'f horticulture is disclaimed with an explanation by the Minister of Agriculture. The statement was: "That the New Zealand climate was not eminently' suitable to lemon growing. It was too damp and the Government would have to think. twice before it granted protection to an exotic industry which might never take root and become really healthy." . The Minister, in his reply to-day/said: "The statements in question had neither my sanction nor approval and do not embody the official opinion of the Department of Agriculture. Inquiry has shown that the published statements were the result of what the director of the Horticulture Division understood was a. private discussion and no doubt through a misapprehension, certain of the published remarks were given an application which was never expressed or intended by the director in tho discussion. The matter lias since been discussed by the director with the members of the Auckland Fruitgrowers' Council and the Lemon Growers' Association, all of whom have expressed themselves as being quite satisfied with the explanation given by him. 'The same applies to tho fruitgrowers' conference ■which was held a few days since. "It may be added that the definite opinion of myself and of the department is that the growers are entitled to every possible consideration and that all engaged in both the wholesale and retail trade should do their utmost to assist the growers in marketing their ismons to the best advantage, thus helping them to meet the decided difficulties they are now faced with as a result of impoitations of lemons from countries overseas." WHANGAREI BOROUGH. NEW COUNCIL CHAMBERS. [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Wednesday. By the Whangarei Borough Council Empowering Bill introduced into Parliament to-day it is proposed to authorise the council to raise, with the consent of its ratepayers, a loan of £9500 for remodelling on up-to-date lines the present council chambers situated in Bank Street Whangarei, for the puruose of letting the same for commercial purposes and for the erection .and furnishing of chambers in Iloso Street on a site lately acquired for the purpose for the accommodation of iiw council and its administrative itaiL