PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18455, 17 January 1922, Page 7

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

NOTES FROM PRESS GALLERY. SOLDIERS’ SETTLEMENT SCHEME. (Fbom Octb Own Cobresfokdgnt.) WELLINGTON,’January 16. . The suspension of the Soldiers’ Settlement scheme was mentioned again in the House of Representatives to-day by Mr J. M‘Combs 'Lyttelton),, who asked if the Prime Minister, when arranging for the finance of Uie Meat Pool would make provision for the resumption, of loans to the soldiers Some of ‘he men who had expected loans, said Mr M'Combs, were suffering real hardship. Mr Massey replied that the cases were hot the same. Cash •was required for the settlement scheme. The Meat Pool probably would not require any cash from the Government. He proposed as soon as opportunity offered, to borrow a sufficient sum. of money specially for the soldiers. The sum required would not be very large. He believed that the Government would be able to make better provision for the > housing of returned soldiers! than had. been made before, but he dad not think that the provision could bo made during the present i financial year. COUNTRY TELEPHONES. The Country 'telephones Amendment Bill whiejh was introduced in the House of Representatives to-night provides that in the case of a loan ay a local, authority for tile | erection of telephone lines, the security may be a special rate over all rateable property in the district, or any defined part of the district. The old provisioujior a special rate over the lands of the persons signing the petition for the erection of the line is being repealed The local authority in lieu of erecting the lines itself, may arrange with the Government 'to .construct and maintain the lines. The local authority to indemnify the Government against loss. "A special rate may bo raised foe. the discharge of this indemnity. RENTING OR SALE OF DWELLINGS. Asked by Mr "P. Fraser (Wellington Central) whetner he intended to introduce legislation tins session rendering is illegal to make the purchase ot furniture a condition of the renting or sale of a dwelling house, the Minik,er of Labour replied in the negative. RETRENCHMENT BILL. Mr R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) to-night asked the Prime Minister whether, before members were called upon to discuss the Retrenchment Bill, they would be given certain information asked for by the member for -Waitemata in moving lor a return us long ago as October last. Mr Massey replied that the information asked for would be out of, date by now. Ho could fui-nislr more information .when the Bill came -down. The Bill was practically ready. ’ , ,