PARLIAMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21875, 10 August 1934, Page 13

PARLIAMENT

DULL PROCEEDINGS MINING BILL APPEARS UNEMPLOYMENT DEBATE BUDGET NEXT WEEK CHANGES IN THE TARIFF [HY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON Thursday In contrast with yesterday's dramatic development involving the passing at one sitting of the Companies (Special Investigations'* Bill, to-day's proceedings in the House were singularly dull. The most important event was the introduction of the Mining Amendment Bill, which was mainly 011 the lines of a similar measure produced last session for the purpose of having its contents scrutinised by those associated with the industry. As a result this year's measure has been revised in some aspects. The bill is a comprehensive one, consolidating the existing law and removing some anomalies which have been revealed since the mining legislation was last overhauled in 1926. The important provisions in the bill are extending the size of prospecting areas and increasing the length of riverdredging claims. The bill was read a second time pro forma to enable its transference to the Mines Committee

The Defence Policy Several departmental reports were discussed this afternoon. Chief interest attached to the report of the Defence Department, but it produced no amplification of statements already made regarding the Government's policy. The speech by the Hon. J. G. Cobbo, Minister of Defence, was wholly platitudinous, and it was obvious that lie was not to be drawn until the Defence Estimates, which are expected to he substantially increased this year, come before the House after the Budget has been presented. The whole of the evening was devoted ,to the second reading of the Unemployment Amendment Bill, promoted by Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Labour —Avon). It seeks to abolish the Unemployment Board dnd to ensure the payment of sustenance on the scale prescribed in the original Act of 1930. This bill had been discussed at various stages on four previous occasions and to-night's debate broke little new ground. In any case the bill must be eventually ruled out on the ground that it involves an appropriation. The Hon. J. A. Young, acting-Minis-

ter of 'Employment, said that to pav ' the rates of sustenance rirst presented would involve doubling the wages tax. The debate was interrupted by the adjournment without a division being reached. Waiting lor the Budget There appears to be little important business to place before the House until the Budget is brought down. The Minister of Finance, Mr. Coates, still hopes to produce the Budget next week, but is not sanguine about his ability to do so on Tuesday, as pre- . viously arranged.

The Customs Amendment Bill is also due to appear next week and Mr. Coates was engaged to-day and this evening in consultation with officers of the 'Customs Department regarding a revision of schedules in light of the representations made since the customs resolutions were passed earli§r in the session.

The House will consider departmental reports to-morrbw morning and Government bills in the afternoon.

OLD AGE PENSIONS RECIPROCITY IN PAYMENTS RATIFICATION NEEDED [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION") WELLINGTON. Thursday A request was made in the House of Representatives to-day by Mr. W. E Parry (Labour —Auckland Central) that the legislation laid down by the Old Age Pensions Reciprocity Act, 1913, be passed, so that reciprocity in the matter of payment of old age pensions could be carried into effect between New Zealand and Australia.

The Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Minister of Pensions, replied that the New Zealand Act of 1913 was still on the Statute Book and only awaited ratification by the Parliament of Australia to /enable reciprocity to be put into effect. That reciprocity had not been forthcoming. Possibly the Melbourne Centenary might provide a suitable opportunity to renew the application to the Australian Parliament for ratification.

DAMAGE TO FARM LANDS MINING ACTIVITIES PROVISION FOR PROTECTION [BV TELEGRAPH SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Thursday An important section of the Mining Amendment Bill introduced in the House of Representatives to-day is designed for the protection of the surface of land suitable for agricultural and pastoral purposes. Damage to agricultural lands has also been caused by sluicing, and the bill proposes to extend protection to such land. Under the present Mining Act, special terms, may be. inserted in a dredging licence with a view to preventing the destruction of arable land, but it has been found that the cost of complying with such conditions has exceeded many times the original total improved value of the land affected. The present bill seeks to limit the special terms so that the groat cost of complying with them should be eliminated. The Mining Act makes no provision for compensation to the Crown in respect of damace done to Crown lands bv mining onerations. although owners of private lands and their lessees are protected by the Act. In the early days, there was ro need for such provision, as practically all Crown lands in mining districts worn unimproved or of very low value. With the development of farming, however, many of Crown land are now of considerable value. Tt i(« considered that cirrnnistances have so tb"t the princio'o of compensation should be recop-

The bill now before the FJo' ,|C e make* such nrovivion Tt nlso provides that comnorisat'on for d*>mr" T o to nTicnlt"r:>l lpml d.nil Vic ioin+V by the Minister of end the Mimst-T of while dnT>'ef»o to forest lands will he assessed with tlie consent of the Commissioner of State Forests.