PARLIAMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21390, 18 July 1931, Page 12

PARLIAMENT

YESTERDAY’S PROCEEDINGS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (Abridged from Press Association Telegram.) WELLINGTON, July 17. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY DEBATE. The House of Representatives met at 10.30 a.m., when the Address-in-Reply debate was continued. Mr A. M. Sameul (Thames) accused Leader of the Labour Party (Mr H. E. Holland) of doing the country a disservice by suggesting that he would put into effect proposals that at the present time were incapable of fulfilment. Referring to the work of the Empire Marketing Board, Mr Samuel said it was very valuable to New Zealand, which, • however, should follow it up with more intensive advertising throughout Britain. Mr H. G. R. Mason (Auckland Suburbs) urged the Postmaster-general to indicate the Government’s policy in regard to broadcasting, particularly B stations, as soon as possible. He contended that the B stations had not had fair treatment in the past. The Minister of Agriculture (Mr A. J. Murdoch), replying to Mr Samuel, said advertising in support of the Empire Marketing Board’s efforts was going on consistently in Britain, and he felt sure that very good results would be achieved in the future. Reports coming to hand definitely proved that New Zealand dairy, produce was more in demand in the midlands and north than ever before.

Referring to the woollen industry, the Minister said that in view of the lower prices it was important that the sales should increase. He appealed to New Zealanders to use more of the produce. Mr W. H. Field (Otaki) urged the Prime Minister (Mr G. W, Forbes) not to impose too great a burden on the Dominion by attempting to retrieve the balance in one year. He suggested that the task might be spread over two or three years. Mr H. Holland (Christchurch North) referred to the reports of the dumping of Russian goods in Britain at 40 per cent, below the prices at which they could be supplied by any other country. He urged the Government to protest against this competition with New Zealand’s primary products. After Mr F. Lye (Waikato) had replied to the debate, the formal Address-in-Reply -motion was adopted, and the House adjourned at 12.50 p.m. MINISTERIAL REPLIES.

Ministerial replies to questions were circulated.

The Minister of Labour (Mr S. G. Smith), replying to Mr E. J. Howard (Christchurch South), said it waa not intended to introduce a Workers Compensation for Accident Amendment Biff, or a Shops and Offices Amendment Biff this session.

Replying to Mr ' C. H. Clinkard (Rotorua), Mr Forbes said he had noticed newspaper reports concerning tne importations of timber from Russia into Australia. If shipments of such goods arrived in New Zealand the Government would take steps to ensure that the protection accorded by tariff to the timber industry was not prejudiced by the dumping of good from Russia. Replying to- Mr C. E. MacMillan (Tanranga), the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr P. A. de la Perrelle) said the Department of Industries and Commerce was at present making an investigation into petrol prices, and on receipt of its report consideration would be given to the question whether or not any further or wider investigation was necessary.

THIRD PARTY RISE AGREEMENT. Mr Field asked the Minister of Transport (Mr W. A. Veitch) whether the Government would introduce an amendment to the Third Party Risks Act to provide that persons injured, and representatives of persons killed by motor vehicles, should receive due compensation, notwithstanding the fact that the vehicle and its driver might not be traceable. Mr Yeitch replied that the Government had been negotiating with the insurance companies to cover such cases, • and ail agreement had been drawn up which was acceptable to all except one of the companies concerned. Negotiations were proceeding with a view to completion of the agreement, and if success in the latter action did not take place the question of legislation would have to be considered. ; AFTERNOON SESSION ' Ministerial replies to questions were discussed when the House resumed at 2.30 p.m. WHEAT AND FLOUR PRICES. Mr Forbes, replying to Mr C. A. Wilkinson (Egmont), said that if the proposed rates of duty were passed by Parliament the minimum prices at which wheat and flour could be imported into New Zealand would, after the duties became effective, be approximately 6s 4d per bushel and £l4 8s per ton respectively It was proposed to ask Parliament to provide for an increase or a reduction in duty to the extent that the protection intended ,to be granted, was reduced or increased by the abnormal exchange position that might exists between the country of exportation and New Zealand. IMPORTATION OF PRIMARY PRODUCTS. Replying to Mr H. S. S. Kyle (Riccartoii), M r Forbes said the matter of importations of primary products from foreign countries into Britain was one entirely within the jurisdiction of the Government of the United Kingdom. The question was discussed at the last Imperial Conference and the view's of the dominion Governments were w'ell known to the British Government. - AMERICAN SHIPPING.

Mr Forbes, in a reply to Mr W. J. Poison (Stratford), said the Government ■was fully cognisant of the advantages enjoyed by the Matson Line of American steamships in contrast with the disabilities suffered by New Zealand ships trading to the United States and through the outlying American possessions. The situation was being investigated with a view to ascertaining what action, if any, was legally practicable and desirable. THE HAWKE'S BAY EARTHQUAKE The Prime Minister, replying to Mr W. E. Barnard (Napier), said that steps were taken immediately after the Hawke’s Bay earthquake to keep the High Commissioner posted with authentic information for the London press so as to correct the exaggerated reports appearing in some quarters. ARBITRATION COURT JUDGES.

Answering a question submitted by Mr R. Semple (Wellington East), Mr Forbes said the Government had been advised by the Crown Law Office that under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act a judge of the Arbitration Court was given the same rights as a judge of the Supreme Court. Accordingly his salary was not subject to a reduction under the 1931. Finance Act. Travelling allowances, however, had been reduced 10 per cent. REVALUATION OF RURAL LANDS. The Minister of Lands (Mr E. A. Hanson), replying to Mr W. H. Field (Otaki) said that a revaluation of the rural lauds of the Dominion was proceeding as rapidly as possible. IMPORTATION OF NEWSPRINT.

Mr Forbes, replying to Mr D. G. Sullivan (Avon) said he understood that newsprint could be imported into New Zealand from England at a landed cost not greater than that of newsprint imported from Canada, It was hoped at an early date that negotitions would take place between representatives of the Canadian and New Zealand Governments with the view to the conclusion of a trade agreement satisfactory to both countries. Newsprint paper and certain other goods had been retained on the British preferential tariff so that the even balance of trade between Canada and New Zealand might be preserved. It was therefore not proposed at present to impose a duty on Canadian newsprint paper. LIVE PIGEON SHOOTING. The Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr P. A. de la Perrelle), replying to Sir W. Lee Martin (Raglan) said that representations favouring the introduction of legislation making it illegal for gun clubs to use live pigeons in their com-, petitions would be fully considered.

WESTPORT HARBOUR DREDGES. The Leader of the Labour Party (Mr H. E. Holland) asked whether in view of the fact that there had been no stoppage of work on the part of the miners in the Buffer area, and that consequently abundant supplies of coal were available to the Marine fiepartment for use on the dredges in Westport Harbour, the Minister of Marine (Mr J. B. Donald) would reconsider the department’s decision to discharge the dredge employees and lay up the dredges. Mr Donald replied that the source of supply of coal for harbour dredges was the Cascade mine with which a contract existed. He had been informed by the Railways Department that there was no labour offering for the handling of that coal. THE GOLD MINING INDUSTRY. Replying to Mr W. E. Parry (Auckland Central), the Minister of Mines (Mr A. J. Murdoch) said it was intended to refer to the Unemployment Board the question of considering the present conditions of gold mining and the possibilities of its revival in future. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. till Tuesday