PARLIAMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22046, 28 February 1935, Page 13

PARLIAMENT

SLOW PROGRESS MORTGAGE DISCUSSION ■ sparring for time the committee stages MANY. CLAUSES TO COME [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON. Wednesday Owing to the afternoon being devoted to discussion on Ministerial questions, the House of Representatives did not resume consideration of the Mortgage Corporation Bill until this evening. Oue feature of to-day's proceedings was the revelation that the Government was sparring for time and is in no hurry to expedite the work of the House until the final draft of the Rural Mortgagors and Tenants Final Adjustment Bill is ill its hands. The Opposition showed signs of understanding that the Government's neit policy measure is not ready, and some good-natured banter on that fact was incidentally exchanged. The House had passed the short title in the Committee stages when it adjourned yesterday, and proceeded to consider subsequent clauses when it returned to the subject to-night, but three hours sufficed only to secure the passage of three clauses, leaving 45 still to come under review. ; • Unsuccessful efforts were made by Mr. W. J. Poison (Government— Stratford) and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. M. J. Savage, to insert amendments to the bill. Mr. Poison sought to delete reference to shareholder capital in a clause dealing with the rules of the proposed corporation, his amendment being rejected by 36 votes to 25. Mr;* Poison indicated that he intended to oppose every reference to share capital and anything pertaining to the representation of shareholders on the board of directors.

The clause formally providing for the establishment of the corporation was opposed by Mr. Savage, but the subsequent division gave the Government a majority of 36 votes to 27, all Independent members voting with Labour. A further amendment moved by Mr. Savage, seeking to give the Governor-General-in-Council power to amend the schedule of rules without requiring the request of the board, was also defeated hv 36 votes to 26. 'The House will continue with the Committee stages of the bill when it reassembles to-morrow afternoon. There has been no appearance yet of Government amendments to the Dill, but notice has been given of many Opposition amendments.

It is learned that the Government amendment appointing associate directors in the provinces contemplates the selection of pight or nine such officials, but the final number required has yet to be determined. It is thought at least two will be appointed in the Auckland province. LIVELY DEBATE EFFECTS OF CORPORATION CONFLICT OF OPINIONS [BT TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Wednesday In lively' fashion the committee debate on the Mortgage Corporation Bill was resumed ia the House of Representatives this evening. Clause three, providing for the establishment of the corporation, came" under review when the House met at 7.30, after devoting the afternoon to other business. Announcing that he did not propose to "prolong the agonv" the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. M. J. Savage, said he would ask members to vote against the clause. Machinery existed to give effect to what tho House wanted and the bill was the thin edge of the wedge for the destruction of public lending institutions The Prime Minister. Mr. Forbes, challenged Mr. Savage's statement and declared that the bill would not destroy, but would improve, lending operations. It i-epresented a genuine attempt to help the farmer. He did not expect the Leader of the Opposition to see any merit in any measure brought forward by the Government. The Opposi-

tion wanted to score off everything

the Government did. In the past New '■ Zealand had a system of mortgages on a flat basis and it was generally agreed that a better system of lending was wanted. "How far does the Prime Minister think he 'ban mislead the House?" asked Mr. A. J. Stall worthy (Independent —Eden). "Instead qf giving cogent reasons for his opinion that the bill ■frill improve the position, he immediately proceeds to attack the Opposition and all those against the bill.

saving they have no right motives. * "He said that in the past we have had a svstem of mortgages on a flat basis," Mr. Stallworthy continued. "Roes he not know that the State Advances Department has been operating Tinder table mortgages for the past 40 years? It has come to a sorry pass when the Prime Minister gets up in a weak-kneed wav and makes a statement which is not in accordance with, fact." Several Other members spoke in similar strain. On a division the clause was retained by 36 votes to 27.

SHIPPING COMPETITION SUBSIDISED FOREIGN LINES MATTER RECEIVING ATTENTION [BY TELEGRAPH —SrECIAL HEPOSITKR | WELLINGTON. Wednesday An assurance that the competition of subsidised foreign shipping with British vessels trading in the Pacific was receiving the attention of the Governments concerned was given by the Minister of Marine.'.Hon. J. G. Cobbe, when replying to an urgent question by Mr. W. J. Jordan (Labour—Manukau) in the House of Representatives to-day. Reference was made by Mr. .Jordan to the withdrawal of the Marama from the intercolonial service and the proposed withdrawal of the Maheno. Those withdrawals, he said, had been brought about as a result of the competition of subsidised American vessels, although the home trade enjoyed by those vessels between Hawaii and the United States was protected by United States law. Recently the Governments of Australia and New Zealand had co-onerated in an emergency by telephone. Mr. Jordan asked whether any similar prompt action was being taken to meet the position Mr. Cobbe said the matter could not be met in the manner suggested by Mr Jordan. He could assure him, however, that the question was receiving from the Governments concerned the consideration it undoubtedly deserved.