PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20650, 23 August 1930, Page 13

PARLIAMENT.

EASY AFTERNOON.

little business done. 'MR. FOItBES FAItEWELLED. REMAINING LEGISLATION. LIFE OF TIIE SESSION. [BY telegraph.—special reporter.] A\ ELLINGTON. Friday. Only half-a-day's work was dono by the House •of Representatives to-day. Having succeeded in passing tho last of iis crucial measures through tho House in the early hours of this morning, the Goveminent set an easjr paco in the afternoon as a mark of appreciation for tho long hours enjoined during tho past two weeks. Tho Estimates wcro discussed during I <he afternoon, four classes being passed. These were those relating to tho Primo "Minister's Department, the Treasury Department, tho National Provident Fund And Friendly' Societies and the State Adyances Account. There was a bare quorum at some litages during the sitting, as a social function being tendered to the Primo Minister, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, and Mrs. Forbes in another part of tho building claimed I ■ members in successive relays.

As the Primo Minister leaves for Auckland on Monday evening, en routo to the Imperial Conference, to-day marked his last appearanco in the Houso this session, and shortly before the sitting concluded the Leader of tho Opposition, the Bight Hon.' J. G. Coatcs, and tho Leader of the Labour Party, Mr. H. E. Holland, on behalf of their respective parties, wished Mr. Forbes bon voyage and a safe return.

Tho House rose for the day at 5.30 p.m. There will be no Monday sitting next week. Tho business on Tuesday ' will bo further consideration of the Unemployment Bill. Now that the main legislative proposals I cf the Government have been disposed of, speculation is rife as to how much further life the session holds. It is believed that tho end will be reached by the close of next month. A good indication is furnished by the date chosen for the unveiling of the Massev Memorial at Point Halswell. It is proposed to'hold the ceremony before the session ends, so that all members of the General Assembly may attend. September 26 was tho date originally chosen, but it was later decided to hold the function on September 19, an indication that the session will probably close between the two dates named. On the other hand, private members who were deprived of some facilities in order to enable the speedier passage of ■ Government bills may press for opporI tunities being given to them later for the second reading of their bills. However, the signs are that the session will not outrun September.

estimates considered.

SEVERAL VOTES PASSED.

LEAGUE OF NATIONS EXPENSES. [BT TELEGRAM. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Friday. Tho House of Representatives went into Committee of Supply to deal with the Estimates this afternoon. The vote of £13,900 for the Prime Minister's department was considered first. Pieplying to questions, the Prime Minister, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, staled that different countries associated with the League of-Nations were assessed at a"<ertain proportion for the Secretariat expenses. The total number of units was 986, of which New Zealand constituted 10; Australia, 27; United Kingdom, 140; . Japan, 60; Italy, 60; and so on.' The budget for Secretariat expenses amounted roughly to £1,000,000 a year, and £IO,IBO was estimated as New 1 Zealand's share. It might bo more next year, as he understood expenses were slightly larger. Possibly a further vote would have to be made in the supplementary estimates to make up tho Dominion's quota. In regard ; to the whaling industry, the threatened extermination of whales had been the subject of a conference, and it would be considered at the Imperial Conference. The necessity for somo international agreement relating to the discharge of oil refuse' from oil burners would also be mentioned. The vote was passed. The estimate of £38,900 was passed foithe Treasury Department, £25,000 for the National/Provident and Friendly Societies' Department, and £81,291 for tho State Advances Department.. While tho State Advances voto was under discussion, questions were raised as to the Extent to which the Government was prepared to grunt loans on properties. Mr. Forbes stated that tho policy of advancing tp the extent of 95 per cent, on tho valuation had not been discontinued. The difficulty was that some applicants confused price with valuation, and in some instances the valuer was not satisfied with the prico that lad been paid for the section on which the house was built. Mr. Forbes said it was not tho policy of tho Government to stipulate that advances must be repaid if the property was sold. So far as he knew, there had been no instances of such stipulations having been made. DESTITUTE PERSONS BILL. / [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPOI!TEII. ] WELLINGTON, Friday. The Destitute Persons Amendment Bill, a measure sponsored by Mr. W. L. Barnard (Labour— Napier), was read a first time in the House of Representatives to-da^. Outlining the provisions of the bill, Mr. Barnard said it aimed at simplifying the procedure in connection with orders made by the Supremo Court for alimony or maintenance when theso orders had been registered in the Magistrate's Court and proceedings taken upon them in that Court. The amendment would provide an inexpensive way for people with small means to take action. t PROGRESS: OF BILLS. tBY TELEGRAPH, —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] /. WELLINGTON. Friday. The Crimes Amendment Bill was received by tho House of Representatives from the Legislative Council to-day and Was read a first time. _ The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill was introduced and fead a first time.