PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20303, 10 July 1929, Page 13

PARLIAMENT.

PLEA FOR HIGHER TARIFF

\VORK OF THE HOUSE.

long debate continues.

I'LKA TO END DISCUSSION.

annuity to start work.

f r; v t nrc; r; A nr.—special rci-crter.]

W E LLI NO TON*. Tuesday,

Tlieio was .1 great avalancho of words j„ |he House of Representatives this afternoon and this evening, but tho end of a somewhat pointless Address in-Reply debate war. not brought appreciably nearer. Tho debate was carried 011 until j I p.m., wltrn the House adjourned until to morrow afternoon.

Early this evening Mr. If. E. Holland, Leader of tho Labour Party, invited tho juo oilier parties to ngrco with liim to cud the debate and proceed to deal with tho legislative proposals of tho Government, but ho got no direct reply from Iho Treasury benches. Mr. Holland is llio only Labour speaker who has so far taken part in tho debate, but thero was ; i plethora of Labour speeches earlier in tho session 011 tho Imprest Supply Bill. The debate may run to tho end of the

'I ho Offenders Probation Hill (Mr. 11. (!. 1!. Mason), (ho Workers' Annual Leave Bill (Mr. I>. G. Sullivan) and two local bills wcro introduced and read a lirst time.

CIIANCK OF GOVERNMENT.

large cost to country.

HUGE LOSS ON RAILWAYS

| r.Y TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Tuesday.

"I wonder what it lias cost the country to change the Government," said Mr. A. Hamilton (Wallace) in tho Houso this evening. Mr. T. W. McDonald (Wairarapa): They have got good value for it. Mr. Hamilton: That is a question, but the country cannot blamo tho lato Government for tho deficit of £577,000. A chorus of ''Oh ohs" from the Government. benches greeted this remark. '•[ believo if Mr. Downio Stewart had remained Minister of Finance tliero would have been no deficit," said Mr. Hamilton. "There has been a shrinkago in customs arid tho inconio tax, but wo do not know what accounts arc in credit. Tho change of Government has cost tho country £50.000 for tho stopping of tho I'otoruaTaupo railway. If the Government goes on with tho" South Island Main Trunk railway T believe if will cost the loss of another £1,000.000." Mr. McDonald: Arc you against it then '' Mr. Hamilton: Yes, certainly. Proceeding, Mr. Hamilton, said the change in the public works policy would cost at least another £IOO.OOO. Altogether lie estimated the change of Government would cost the country an additional i'2 000 000.

I'J,MB El' IMPORTATIONS

INQUIRY BY GOVERNMENT.

[by telegraph.—special reporter.]

WE L LIN GTO N, Tues da y,

Asked (o increase the tar ft on imported timber, the Priino Minister. Sir Joseph Ward, gave a non-committal reply to a, deputation from t lie Dominion timber workers' conference this afternoon. It was pointed out to Sir Joseph that Australia had a duty of 15s against American timber, whereas the New Zealand duty against tho same timber was only 9s. It was held the timber industry should be able to support between 10.000 and 12,000 employees in New Zealand, whereas there were, not more than 6000 to-day, so prions had been the effect of the importations of foreign timbers. It. was Mijrgeated, for instance, that New Zealand white pi no was suited for supplying all requirements for tho manufacture of fruit cases and butter boxes. Particularly was it asked that the tariff should bo raised ■gainst the importation in such quantity iif such manufactured forms of timber as linings, floorings, mouldings and doors._ "The. question you have raised is an important one," said Sir Joseph, in replying. Ho pointed out, however, that there were differences of opinion as to tho effect that would follow' an increase in the tariff, as I lie question was bound up with the. cost of homes in this country. If the. duty on unpolled timber were sufficiently high to induce local manufacturers to raise, their prices, 100, obviously those building homes would suffer. Horno building in timber had also to bo considered in relation to building in brick and concrete. The question was one. that had to be approached with care, and the Government would make such an investigation with a view fr> determining whether any assist,,oi. e could lie given. It was not desired 11I.i'■. money which might., slay in New Zealand should bo serif, out of the country.

WAIiKK OK PAINTERS.

THE GOVERNMENT SYSTEM.

[r.v in.f.GßAnr. —spk' ial reporter.]

WELLINGTON. Tuc«i*y

"Will tlio Minister of Public Works issue just nj' tion;; for tlin award rate of wigps fo Ijc pair) (.) painters at flic IloKsonviilo aerodromeasked Ml". M. ■I. Savage (Auckland West) in an urgent Muesfion iii (lie House (Ins afternoon. Mr. Savago said the Government was paying I 1""-:! thnn the rate a privalo contractor would have to pay for such work. Wliil, ho had not had sufficient notiro make im investigation of lite particular } flie Minister, the lion. E. A. Kirr-Min, said, speaking generally, (ho Government did not pay award rates, hilt lain;; icgulated U (ho uniformity COtlliiinlee. Ho repressed sympathy with (lie, lepren'iilafion., and said ho was going fully into the, wholo position with a view seeing v. lielher I lie, request could be Kiel.

}\Al N r HIGHWAYS

TWO BOARDS OPPOSED.

IBr I ELLi'.K \ PH. —SriXIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Tuesday.

"Tho proposal to create two highway hoards, one for each island, is to my mind carrying tho division spirit foo far," said Mr. A. Hamilton (Wallace) in •ho House this evening. A South Island balance-sheet would bo sufficient, Mr. Hamilton I bought. New Zealand was not big enough for tho north and south spirit,

Iljfi Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. P. A. do la. Pcrrello: It only means more man.

Mr. Hamilton : I do not favour centralisation, bub I think tilings bhould remain ils they aro as far as the main highways ore concerned.