HOUSE ADJOURNS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22390, 9 April 1936, Page 13

HOUSE ADJOURNS

EIGHT DAYS' HOLIDAY MORE IMPORTANT MEASURES , another busy sitting / [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTED] WELLINGTON. Wednesday Although Parliament has been in session for only two weeks it has fully earned the'"eight days' vacation which started when the House of Representatives rose shortly after five o'clock this evening. To-day's sitting lasted less than three hours, but during that time tho Government Railways Bill was put through its remaining stages and passed, while two other important measures, tho Labour Department Amendment Bill and the Employment Promotion Bill were introduced by Gover-nor-General's Message and explained brietly to members by tho Minister of Labour, Hon. H. T. Armstrong. Another /feature of the day's proceedings was the rapid passage through the Legislative Council of the Reserve Amendment Bill. This momentous measure now requires only the formality of tho Governor-General's consent to become law. The strain of the past few days has i been fairly severe and it was not surprising that there was little real opposition to the Railways Bill in the House this afternoon. The committee stages were comparatively subdued and the third reading was carried without a division. / Perhaps there are grounds for stating that Opposition members in particular have earned the benefit of the ZEaster Theirs has been the most active role as the Government's policy ef passive silence persisted even in tho 3inal discussion of the Railways Bill to-day. Mr. E. P. Meachen (WairaiO -was the only Government member other 4tinn the Minister of Railways, Hon. J). G. Sullivan, to take part in the debate. During the sitting of the House this afternoon ,the annual report of the Broadcasting Board, was tabled by the Postmaster-General, Hon. F. Jones. "When it comes up for discussion it is considered likely that it will usher in a debate on the whole range of future broadcasting policy. Most members left Wellington by irain or ferry steamer this evening. They will return next week in time for the resumption of the House on Thursday afternoon.

ISLAND FRUIT CONDITIONS OF TRADE CONTROL BOARD ADVOCATED [BV TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, "Wednesday Dissatisfied with the present system trader which their produce is disposed of on the New Zealand market, more than f 1000 ' Raratongan fruitgrowers, representing two different groups, petitioned Parliament tp-day to inquire into the best method of applying a guaranteed,minimum price to the fruit jshipped from the islands. The petitioners are agreed on the necessity for a better marketing system, but they differ as to the best method of bringing about an improvement. One section seeks the formation of a producers' board, similar to those controlling the marketing of produce in New Zealand. The other is opposed to such a step, and advocates a greater use of the Resident Commissioner's Fruit Advisory Committee. Both petitions were presented by Mr. F. W. Schramm (Government Auckland East). " Owing to the number of intermediaries, who take for their services a disproportionate share of the proceeds, and the increasingly greater expenses, services and charges which now obtain, we do not aggregate the cost of production," states the first petition. The petitioners ask Parliament to take steps to bring into effect at the earliest possible moment a producers' board. The request has been made on the understanding that" the members of the board —except those considered necessary to represent the administration—should be elected by the growers. A protest against the formation of a control board is contained in the second petition, signed by 253 growers, who claim that they produce 60 per cent of the fruit exported from Raratonga. Admitting that an improvement in the present marketing is necessary they contend that the Resident Commissioner of the Cook Islands has a Fruit Advisory Committee representing all interests which could, without expense, control fruit shipments and make any decisions necessary for the improvement of the trade.

ADVANCES TO FARMERS ' » STOCK FIRMS' SECURITY / . 44 NO NEED FOR APPREHENSION " [BY TELECRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] "WELLINGTON, Wednesday The Government's financial proposals will not endanger the security of current advances by stock firms, according to a statement made to-day by tho Prune Minister, Mr. Savage. "The fear has been expressed that the Government's policy of guaranteeing prices and also adjusting mortgage liabilities on the basis of prices prevailing during the last eight or 10 years might interfere with the security of current advances made by stock firms for the coming season," Mr. Savage said. "There is no ground for any such fear. The Government is aware that it is the general practice for stock firms and financial organisations dealing with farmers to grant seasonal advances for the purchase of manures, seeds, replacements of stock and for other working and living expenses, and for these to be recovered later in the year as the seasonal revenue comes to hand. "This practice has been recognised in the existing mortgago relief legislation a nd it is part of the working policy °f the adjustment commissions and the Court of Review for such advances to be looked on as a first charge against tho year's revenue. Those concerned may rest assured that there is no ground for any apprehension that such advances will be imperilled by any legislative, or Governmental action. 'There never has been any intention by the Government of prejudicing accounts of tho sort concerning which questions are now raised. In any amending legislation care will be taken that advances made on a sound bas-is in anticipation of next season's income are not prejudiced."