WORK OF THE HOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20641, 13 August 1930, Page 13

WORK OF THE HOUSE.

TARIFF PROPOSALS.

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.

CONSIDERATION OF ESTIMATES.

[BY TELEGRAPH.-—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Tuesday.

The battle on the Govornmentjs tariff proposals was reopened in the House of Representatives this evening, when the necessity arose to consider the passing of the Customs Amendment .Bill to give statutory effect to the tariff resolutions passed on July 22. However, before the bill appeared, the Prime Minister, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, intimated that the duties proposed last month had in some cases been recast to meet representations made to the Government since the original proposals were brought down. The increase of threepence in flic petrol duty was the principal bone of contention when the nature of the Government's increased customs levies was first announced. That duty is still to stand, according to the Government's latest announcement, and in the preliminary debate on the resolutions this evening 110 reference to that Ijx was made. The item which attracted principal attention was the proposal to place still heavier on imported timber for the avowed purpose of assisting the .New Zealand industry, which is said to be in a parlous state. Reform and Independent members strongly protested at the large increase proposed, it being estimated that in the case of dressed timbers the increase amounted to 200 per cent. on. the duty in force prior to last month. Labour members, however, supported the proposal on the ground that the fostering of the local industry would enable the re-engagement in the industry of the thousands of sawmill workers now idle.

Urgency was accorded to the business. The resolutions had not been disposed of by supper time, although a suggestion was- made that members should defer their remarks until the bill was introduced so that a duplication of the debatft would be avoided. The resolutions were adopted at 11 p.m., and the House then turned to the bill. The main discussion on the bill was taken in the second reading, and the debate was still in progress when the telegraph office closed. Owing to a heavy cold, Mr. H. E. Holland, Leader of the Labour Party, has temporarily lost his voice and is not participating in the debate. The afternoon in the House was devoted to further consideration of the Estimates, and the first item, on which a wide discussion is allowable, was passed just before the dinner adjournment

DEBATE ON ESTIMATES

LEGISLATIVE VOTE PASSED.

[FA- TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Tueaday.

The House of Representatives went into Committee of Supply to-day to deal with the Estimates, and consideration of the vote of £90,000 for the legislative departments \vas resumed. The Prime Minister, the Hon. G. VV. Forbes, said lie regretted as much as anybody that the financial stringency had prevented the Government from assisting the Royal Life-Saving Society and the swimming associations as formerly. He would be pleased if financial conditions improved sufficiently to renew the grants. Mr. W. Nasi) (Labour —Hutt) urged the Prime Minister to endeavour to make some arrangement relating to reciprocal pensions when at the Imperial Conference, and to ask the Australian Government to ratify any such agreement. Mr. W. D. Lysnar (Reform —Gisborne) said at a time like the present the Government might have been well advised to have recommended. a 5 per cent, salary reduction throughout the Civil Service. The vote was passed.