POLITICAL NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11306, 4 September 1922, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES

WORK OF PARLIAMENT WAY NOW OPEN FOB. GOVERNMENT MEASURES. CONSIDERATION OF ESTIMATES. ihe House of Representatives meets at 2.30 p.m. to-morrow. The financial debate concluded at a late hour on Friday night, 11.20 p.m., and the fin&t item on the Estimates was called for by the Chairman of Committees (Mr A. S. Malcolm, Clutha), but Mr T. K. Sidey (Acting-Leader of the Opposition) protested against its being taken in the absence through illness or the Liberal Leader (Mr T. M. Wilford). The first item, on which a general debate can take place, and which the Government would be very glad to have; got out of the way on Friday night, was therefore Tield over. Now that the Labour want-of-con-fidence motion has been disposed of—the fifth or sixth noeonfidence motion this session, according to how they are computed—the way is open for the Government measures, which Mr Massey' announced as ready some days ago, to be brought down. I Portion of the week will, however, be devoted to the Estimates; while it is understood that one more day is still owed to private members. OUR NAVY. H.M.S. CHATHAM’NOT OBSOLETE The Chatham was not out-of-date, aa had been stated by members of . the Labour Party, declared Mr Massey, in he course of his reply on the financial debate. Light cruisers - became obsolete much moTe quickly than capital ships. The latter would he out-of-date in ten years from being launched, but the light cruiser, would be quite an efficient vemel for fifteen to twenty years. H.M.S. Chatham was a 25-knot ship, and arrangements had been made that in a year or so she was to he replaced by an oil-driven ship of a similar class. The Canterbury had been suggested, bat he thought it would be another vessel of that typo. The Chatham, and the smaller war vessels in New Zealand waters, gave New Zealanders an opportunity for training to join the British navy.

•WHAT M.P.'t WANT TO KNOW. SAWMIIjL AREAS. Mr H. E. Holland, M.P., has given notice to move for a return showing —(1) The timber areas held on freehold tenure by the following companies —Lake Brunner SawmSHing Company, Ru Rn and Bell Hill; Te King* Land and Timber Company, Te Kinga; Midland Sawmilling Company, Cameron’s and Manama:; Butler Bros. (Limited), Ruatapu; Stewart and Chapman (Limited), Ross and Hokitika ; Oghrie and 00. (Limited), Gladstone Siding; (2) the ordinary Crown lands timber areas held on lease by the same companies: and (3) the forestry lands timber areas held by the same companies. SUNDRY RETURNS DESIRED. • Mr W. T. Jennings (Waitomo) intends to move for a return showing the population, of Maoris and Europeans. respectively in what is called Robae Potae. Mr G. Mitchell (Wellington South) to move for a return showing the terms of the agreement with the Auckland (Sty Council for the supply of hydro-electrio power to that body, and the price to he paid for the power. ’ Mr S, G. Smith (Taranaki) for a reborn showing separately the amount spent on (a) salaries, (b) allowances, and (c) travelling-expenses for the years ended March 31st, 1921, and 1922 respectively. Mr W. A. Veitdh (Wanganui) for a return showing the amount of fees or cemmissxm pent on purchases of coal from outside the Dominion during each of the years ended March 31st, 1920,. 1921, aid 1922 respectively.