PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19731, 2 September 1927, Page 13

PARLIAMENT.

TAXATION PROPOSALS. BILLS BEFORE HOUSE. MINISTER'S EXPLANATION. WAR DISABILITIES LAW. BEPEAL OF LEGISLATION. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] * WELLINGTON. Thursday. The annual reports of the Mines Department and the State Coal Mines Office occupied the attention of the House of Representatives this afternoon. In the evening the House went into Committee on several local bills, including the Whangarei Harbour Board Vesting and Empowering Bill, all of which were passed. The War Disabilities Removal Bill was passed with a Government amendment Peraoving the disabilities imposed on military defaulters by the Act of 1918. The House was divided on the question whether the disabilities on ex-enemy -school teachers should be removed, an amendment that the disabilities should continue being defeated by 47 votes to 13. The Savings Bank Amendment Bill was also passed. Consideration was then commenced of the annual Taxing Bill and the Land and. Income Tax Amendment Bill. Discussion was continued until a late hour. A brief sitting of the Legislative Council was held today. The War Funds Amendment Bill was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The Whakatane County Council Empowering and Loan Money Diversion Bill was read a second time. DEEP-SEA FISHING. USE OF FACTORY SHIPS. SUGGESTION FROM ENGLAND. [EX TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Thursday. An assurance that steps will be taken to protect the interests of the people of the Dominion should it be decided to use factory ships with the fishing fleets " was given by tha Minister of Marine, Hon. G. J. Anderson, in the House to-day. Mr. A. M. Samuel (Ohinemuri) drew the Minister's attention to the cablegram from England, to the effect that the Imperial Economic Committee had suggested that factory ships might be used on the fishing grounds of Australia and New Zealand, hitherto only partially worked. He asked whether, if any such action was decided on, the Marine Department would take steps to protect the grounds frojp exploitation, as the price of fish in New Zealand was .already too high. " I do not think we need worry very much about that just now," said the Min-: < ' ister, "but;\should the suggestion be carried out steps will be taken to protect the people of New Zealand." SAVINGS BANKS. PAYMENT OF TRUSTEES. J [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] • WELLINGTON, Thursday. The House went into Committee this evening on the Savings Bank Amendment Bill. / / The Minister of Finance, Hon. W. Downie Stewart, moved a new clause permitting the chairman of any private savings bank to receive an annual payment of £IOO, and trustees £1 a meeting, the latter payment not to" exceed £24 a year. Sir Joseph Ward (Invercargill) objected to the smaliness of the amounts offered. They were almost offensive, considering the responsibility involved. The Minister explained that these banks were originally started to aid working people to make savings and they were to be managed voluntarily by business men. It was therefore foreign to the original purpose that large payments should bo made for' management and in the absence of any demand for higher payment he had considered the amounts fixed ample. The clause was agreed to and the bill was passed. ♦ 'AUCKLAND HARBOUR. -THE EMPOWERING BILL. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Local Bills Committee of the House of Representatives has recommended that the Auckland Harbour Board Empowering Bill, introduced by Mr. W. IS. Parry, be allowed to proceed, with several minor amendments. Words to vest certain land in the Waiuku town district in the board are added to the title. ASSESSMENT COURTS. RECENT CRITICISM OF JUDGE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Thursday. An announcement that the constitution of the Assessment Courts was receiving the attention of the Government and that if it was Considered desirable to make any alteration it would be done by an amendment to the Valuation Act this year, was made by ,the Minister of Lands, Hon. A. D. McLeod, in the House to-day. Mr. T. W. Rhodes (Thames) asked the Minister 'if he concurred in the criticism of the constitution of the Courts which was made by Mr. Justice Reed in Wanganui recentjy, and if so was it intended to introduce amending legislation. The Minister said he hoped to give the House an opportunity to discuss the question, but as the case which had given rise to the Judge's remarks was still subjudice he preferred not to comment on the criticism now. PETITIONS TO HOUSE. DECISIONS IN SOME CASES. [BY TELEGRAPH. SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Thursday For the reason that all legal remedies have not been exhausted, no recommendation is made by the Public Petitions A to L Committee on the petition of Alice Beatrice ,King, of Auckland, for remission of the remainder of the sentence inflicted on F. E. P. Shortland. No recommendation is made regarding the petition' of Peter Bradley, of Auckland. who sought compassionate allowance in order to undergo further surgical treatment. No recommendation is made by the Defence Committee on the petition of Claude A. B. Martin, of Auckland, for renewal of his soldier's pension and provision of an artificial limb. No recommendation is made regarding the petition of Edward Samuel Watson, of Wharepuhunga, praying for compensation for alleged wrongful dismissal as farm Manager of the Waikeria Reformatory.