PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20156, 21 July 1927, Page 13

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

NOTES FROM PRESS GALLERY. (Fbom Owe Pabuamentabt Repobteb.) WELLINGTON. July 20. LAMB MORTALITY. Replying to a question by Mr T, D. Burnett about lamb mortality, Mr O. J. Hawken (Minister of Agriculture) : to-day stated that the Department of Agriculture has made good progres in its investigations into the exact cause of the mortality which occurs annually among the best and fattest lambs. So far as these investigations have proceeded, he sa(d, they confirm the opinion previously held that dietetic conditions and not infectious or contagious disease are responsible for the trouble. The knowledge gained by these investigations, especially as regards preventive measures, is in the hands of the department’s veterinarians and inspectors of stock, and they will be glad to advise sheepowiiers in every possible way, ■ The special investigating officers will, take up the work again when the lambing season arrives. • A full description of the work carried out and its results up to date will be found in the Journal of Agriculture for April,; 1927, together with the best advice available as to preventive measures. THE BANK RATE. Replying to a question about the bank rat© in Britain and some Continental countries, the Minister of Finance (Mr W Downie Stewart) has explained to Mr D. Buddo (Kaiapoi) that there is no comparison between the bank rate in London and the overdraft rate in New Zealand. The bank rate is the rate at which the banks in England will discount bills of exchange: it is not a rate for advances as we understand the term. The overdraft rate in . New Zealand is a straightout lending rate governed solely by New Zealand conditions. SPEED OF TRAINS The Prime Minister, in answer to a question, stated to-day that the Railway Department’s time-table which was issued to all members of the staff connected with the movement of trains, gives full details of allowable speeds for all classes of trains and for all sections of the opened lines. Engine-drivers are not allowed in any circumstances to exceed the maximum authorised speeds. Lost time may be made up only provided the maximum authorised speed is not exceeded. There has been no relaxation of the instructions to enginedrivers governing the speed of trains. On the contrary, the instructions in recent years hayo been made more explicit that the maxirgum . allowable speeds must not bo exceeded. SUGAR BEET. Mr A. D. M'Leod (Minister of Industries and Commerce), replying to questions,' stated: Several deputations have waited upon various Ministers in regard to the establishment of the sugar beet industry in New Zealand. Investigations as to tho progress of similar undertakings in other parts of the world are being made by the Department of Indus tries and Commerce. During my recent visit to the Commonwealth of Australia I inspected the sugar beet factory at Maffra, in Victoria. It is proposed later in tho session to place the rosults of these investigations before the Industries and Commerce Committee of the House and to allow interested parties to give evidence on the local proposals.” PENSIONS AND FAMILY ALLOWANCE, It & not intended to amend either the old-age pensions or pensions for the blind this session. The Government Is considering the question of introducing an Invalidity Pensions Bill. Replying to a question by Mr E. J. Howard (Christchurch South), the Minister of Pensions (Mr G. J. Anderson) staled that an essential provision of the Family Allowances Act of 1926 is that the, father must initiate the claim for allowance. It is not proposed, therefore, to amend this Act ,in the direction suggested, but the Government is investigating the practicability ■of making provision in another direction for assisting deserted wives and families.

THE DAIRY BOARD. Information concerning the amounts drawn by members of the Dairy Produce Board in salary and travelling expenses is asked for by Mr W. A. Yeitch (Wanganui). Ho asks for a return to cover the operations of the board since itg inception—to be' shown under separate headings—of the amounts drawn by way of salary, the amounts . drawn as travelling expenses, and also any other payments apart from salary and travelling expenses. GOVERNMENT OFFICERS ABROAD. Mr W. A. Veitch (Wanganui) gave notice to call for a return showing the number of Government officers who have been sent abroad during the past four years at the Government expense, and also the reason for each journey and the cost.

TRAPPING OPOSSUMS. The Commissioner of State Forests says that the whole matter of trapping opossums in State'forests has been carefully considered during the year, and grave difficulties have been found in the way of adopting a ballot system. It has therefore been decided that the system of granting permits as in previous years to trappers o'f good character and repute will be maintained.

ANTIQUE WORKS O'F ART. Mr W. Downie Stewart (Minister of Customs) to-day stated that the question of exempting antique works of art from Customs duty will receive careful consideration in connection with the revision of the Customs tariff, which is to take place during the present session of Parliament. TOWN RESERVES. Mr A. D. M'Leod (Minister of Lands) says that the question of introducing legislation in connection wtih the setting apart of reserves in town subdivisions and making provision for the alternative of a cash payment in lieu thereof is at present under consideration.

HANDLING BASIC SLAG. Mr G. J. Anderson (Minister of Labour) stated that tho allegedly injurious effect to workers through handling basic slag is being inquired into by representatives of the parties concerned, and the question of including illness from this cause as an industrial disease under the Workers’ Compensation Act will be given careful consideration. CONTRIBUTARY PENSIONS. Mr G. J. Anderson (Minister of Pensions) said that a Bill embodying the principle of contributory pensions is before the Government now. It is not proposed to introduce amendments to the Act to provide pensions for orphans. NURSES’ SUPERANNUATION. Replying to a question by Sir George Hunter, Mr R. A. Wright (Minister in Charge of tho National provident Fund Department) replied that it is not practicable to include all qualified nurses in the hospital boards’ superannuation scheme. Under the National Provident Fund nurses other than public hospital nurses have the same rights as members of the public to become direct contributors to the National Provident Fund, and so participate in the Government subsidy. RELIGIOUS EXERCISES IN SCHOOLS. A number of petitions promoted by members of the State Education Defence League against religious exercises in schools were handed in in the House < Representatives to-day, mostly by members of the Labour Party. The petitions, however, were not received owing to a technical formality which tho members presenting them had overlooked. This in formality will, however, probably be rectified to-morrow. FASTER TRAIN SERVICES.

Replying to Mr J. R. Hamilton (Awarua) the Prime Minister stated that the question of providing fast trains for tho passenger traffic between Gore and Invercargill, between Tuatapere and Invercargill, and between Invercargill, Bluff, and Winton, has been given consideration, but it is found that up to the present the amount of business offering lias not been sufficient to .encourage a more - expensive service. A close watch is being kept

upon the position, and If It is considered that a good traffic can be encouraged arrangement will be made to provide for it. OAVERSHAM INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL PROPERTY. Mr T. K. Sidey (Dunedin South) asked the Minister of Education (Mr R. A. Wright) whether, seeing that the industrial school at Lookout point, Caversham, is apparently no longer required for industrial school purposes, he will offer the property to the Dunedin City Corporation as' a public reserve. Mr Wright replied that it is probable that the industrial school buildings and site at Caversham, Dunedin, will be required by the Child Welfare Branch of the Education Department for some time, and therefore it is not proposed to dispose of the property. MOTOR OMNIBUS TRAFFIC. The House is still drearily discussing Mr Wilford’s Motor Omnibus Traffic Amendment Bill on .the motion for its second reading, and it is likely to go on discussing it till half an hour past midnight, after which no further business can be taken. The reason for this unnecessarily long debate is that the next order of the day is the Religious Exercises in Schools Bill, which has been introduced by Mr H. Holland (the member for Christchurch North). The mild stonewall which resulted has been without any special incident, either humorous or dramatic. THE SAMOA BILL. The Samoa Bill is likely to be taken on Friday. It will involve another lengthy discussion. The Labour members will be its, keenest critics. They will probably concentrate their attack on the deportation clauses.