PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19256, 21 August 1924, Page 8

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

NOTES FROM PRESS GALLERY. (Fbou Odb Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, August SO. GOVERNMENT ADVANCES. Answering a question put by Mr Sullivan in the House of Representatives today regarding tho order in which applications are dealt with by the Advances Department, the Prime Minister said when such applications were received they were all filed in order of their receipt. A larger proportion wore usually found not to be in order, or it might bo that they had mortgages still in force that would remain in existene for some time. Then there were some whose mortgages did not run out for several years. In such cases the applications were laid on one side. There wore other cases in which applications that were very urgent were endorsed by representative men. There were some in which there was tho likelihood that tho applicants would bo turned out in a week or two. If tho hon. gentleman supplied him with tlie names of the applicants referred to he (Mr Massey) would have inquiries made. TEACHERS’ SALARIES. Mr Sullivan asked the Minister of Education if he would have teachers’ salary cheques made payable before tho holidays, commencing on Monday next so that they could get them cashed before they left for their holiday or their homes. Tho Hon. Mr Parr said tho practice had been to meet the convenience of the teachers. Mr Sullivan: T am advised differently CREAM GRADING. Answering a question in tho House to day the Minister of Agriculture stated the subject of making tho grading of cream compulsory had not been considered or discussed by the dairymen of Now Zealand over a sufficiently long period to enable them to be yet fully conseryant with the proposal. The grading of cream was already extending very considerably on a voluntary basis, and it was probable that by next winter the question of making cream grading compulsory would be fully discussed by tho dairy companies. Tho departmental officers would bo taking all possible steps during the coming season to assist in still further raising the standard of quality of our dairy products. RAILWAY ROLLING STOCK. Replying to a question by Mr Witty, the Minister of Railways said : “It is the policy of the Government to meet its requirements in tho matter ?)f rolling stock by having it constructed in its own workshops and by contract with private firms in New Zealand. It is only when it is not possible to meet requirements by construction within the dominion that the department has gone outside tho dominion for rolling stock. There is no intention of departing from this policy. The programme at present in hand is sufficient to keep the department’s shops fully employed.” INTER-ISLAND GOODS TRAFFIC. Replying to a question by Mr Witty, the Minister of Railways said that the department has previously experimented in the matter of through booking of goods between the North an the South Islands, but the result did not justify a continuance of the system. Tlie department, however, still had in operation an arrangement for tho through booking of fruit and luggage. Most of the traders having regular traffic between the North and South Islands had their own arrangements regarding the booking of their goods. The honourable gentleman’s question would receive furtherconsideration. JUBILEE INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND. The M to Z Petitions Committee recommends tho passing of legislation which will entitle members of the JuDiloe Institute for (he Blind to contribute to either tho Teachers’ Superannuation Fund or the Public Service Superannuation Fund. REBATE OF INCOME. TAX. The petition of Booth and Co., London, for a rebate of income tax alleged to bo paid owing to. incorrect assessment has been referred by the Petitions Committee to the Government for consideration. NO RECOMMENDATION. The Petitions Committee has no recommendation to make in regard to the petition of William Hamilton and 118 others asking for the removal of the in force in regard to the netting of fish in the Tokomairiro Riyer. COMPENSATION. The petition of Ernest Atkinson, of Dunedin, for a further allowance of £4OO as compensation in connection with the accident that caused his retirement from the lands Department has been referred to the Government for favourable consideration. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF SOUTHLAND. Owing to other work in hand by tho Geological Survey, tho Hon. Mr Anderson says it is impossible to state definitely that arrangements will be made for early completion of the geological survey of Southland, but such work will be undertaken as soon ns circumstances permit.