WORK OF PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20623, 23 July 1930, Page 16

WORK OF PARLIAMENT.

ADJOURNMENT IN AFTERNOON.

THE CUSTOMS PROPOSALS.

PROTESTS AGAINST INCREASES.

LATE EVENING SITTING.

[by telegraph.—special reporter.] WELLINGTON, Tuesday.

The working phase of the rarliamentjirv session may be said to have been definitely reached to-day when tho details of tho customs tariff were revealed. Tho afternoon sitting was a short one. Tributes wore paid to tho memory of Sir Robort Stout, a former Premier, after which tho Houso adjourned until the evening as a mark of respect to his memory.

Tho increases proposed under the revised tariff schedule drew numerous protests from Reform, Labour and Independent members. As a long sitting was anticipated, it was decided to take a half-hour adjournment at 9.30 p.m. and to continue tho sitting until the customs resolutions had boon carried.

Labour arid Independent members who havo given consistent support to the Government were exceptionally vigorous in their criticism of the plan to increase indirect taxation to such a great extent. The proposal to increaso tho petrol duty from 4d to 7.35 d a gallon was tho ono against which tho most emphatic protests were made. Labour speakers said that although tho working man ' might not usually own a motor-car, ho was certainly affected through the distinct prospect of higher omnibus fares being charged as a sequel to tho higher levy. It was admitted tho correct procedure was to allow the Prime Minister to have his resolutions passed and to make tho appearance of tho Customs Amendment Bill the occasion for tho real opposition. Tho resolutions were finally carried and the House adjourned lit midnight. It is proposed ty continue tho debate on tho Unemployment liill to-morrow. The Prime Minister hopes to finish tho dcbato to-morrow in order to refer tho bill to a special committee. It is probable urgency will bo sought for tho measure in view of the prediction from tho Labour benches that the discussion will run well into to-morrow evening.

RESTRICTIONS OF RENT.

RENEWAL OF LEGISLATION.

INTENTIONS OF GOVERNMENT.

[,75 Y TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Tuesday.

Notice that he would move to introduce the Rent Restriction , Continuance Bill was given by the Minister of Labour, the Hon. S. G. Smith,'in the House of Representatives to-day. The present legislation, which has several times been renewed, will' expire on August 1, and it is believed to be the Government's intention to extend the provisions of the Act for a further year.

THE TIMBER INDUSTRY.

CONDITIONS ON WEST COAST.

MANY MILLS CEASE WORK.

[BT TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER. ] WELLINGTON, Tuesday.

' An urgent question asked by the Leader of the Labour Party, Mr. H. E. Holland, in the House of Representatives to-day, Bought information regarding any proposed legislation to safeguard the New Zealand timber industry from foreign importations, mainly carried in subsidised ships. "In. the Buller district the industry is in a critical condition and the indications are that there will be a drastic shortening of hands at all the mills," said Mr. Holland.- "No timber has been shipped from Westport during the last six months and no export orders are in hand.. The Karamea mills hold nearly a million fpet of timber, with no prospect of sale. One mill has closed down and others must do the same if no market is available.

"Sales from the Greymouth-Hokitika district havo declined from 34,128,929 ft. for the six months ended December 31, to 27,055,412 ft. for the six months ended June 30, a fall of 21 por cent. Sixteen mil|s in this district are now closed and all ; tho others are working only 40 per cent, of their capacity, discharging 400 men and restricting the balance to four days a week." The Prime Minister said he hoped to be able to supply some information on the subject to tho House shortly.

SETTLING CROWN LANDS.

EAST COAST MAIN TRUNK.

PRELIMINARY STEPS IN HAND.

[by TF.LKGRAI'n.—OWN COR RESPONDENT. ] TATTRANGA, Tuesday. Last session of Parliament Mr. C. K. Macmillan, M.P., presented to the, House n petition praying that (lie unoccupied Crown lands adjacent to the East Coast Alain Trunk railway be opened' for settlement. Subsequently the petition was Tecornmended for most favourable consideration. Mr. Macmillan interviewed the "Minister of Lands, Hon. E. A. Hanpom, and is now in receipt of the following reply: "The commissioner of Crown lands, Auckland, was instructed last October to take steps necessary for placing on the market such of the lands referred to in the petition as could readily be offered. Considerable delay and difficulty li.is been experienced in obtaining the consents necessary for the legalisation of certain roads necessary to give access to the lands, with the result that it has been found necessary to t;ike action under the Public Works Act. [t is hoped the pro liminaries in this respect, will shortly be completed and that the difficulties will be removed. These lands cannot, be disposed of until legal and practical road access is provided." In acknowledging a letter from the Bay of Plenty Development League tfte Minister advises that two land advisory committees have been appointed for the Auckland district, and that it is proposed to instruct one of them to visit the Bay of , Plenty later on for the purpose of inspecting tho Crown lands and reporting on their suitability for development or settlemen*.

SELECT COMMITTEES.

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT.

[EY TELEIiIIAPn.—SI'tCIAI, IItI'DUTER.]

VEL LIN GTOX, Tucscl :iy.

An indication that the working phase • ot the session has been reached was given t irv the House of Representatives to-dav IwL«° lntention t( > sot up 19 Select ■. Sffi? was noUlied by varions Min- - wembor^fbr > 'p? n^?i an 'i tlie new oforin ; membership ^ c,i *"*• N " iiv »