PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21579, 26 February 1932, Page 8

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

NOTES FROM PRESS GALLERY (From Odr Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, February 25. BACKBLOCK ROADS. “ Relief workers are engaged in transforming first-class roads into speedways,” said Mr A. M. Samuel (Thames) in the House to-day, “ while settlers in the outlying districts are having the greatest difficulty in marketing their produce and obtaining supplies and fertilisers necessary to maintain production.” Mr Samuel asked the Government to arrange for the transfer of relief workers from the main highways to the backblock roads. POSITION OF SMALL HOLDERS. Small holders with up to 20 acres who are unable to secure relief because they are classed as farmers are championed by Mr C. L. Carr (Timaru), who in the House to-day asked that provision should be made under the unemployment regulations for them to obtain farm labouring work as unemployed relief workers. LOCAL BODY FINANCE. As the last Budget of the Imperial Parliament is reported to have been balanced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer by making adjustments in respect of sinking fund payments with great satisfaction to the financial critics Mr H. G. R. Mason (Eden) asked the Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes) today if he will make such provision as will enable the New Zealand local bodies to balance their budgets by similar means. CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES. The Chairman of Committees will be chosen to-morrow morning. It is almost certain that Mr S. G. Smith, the member for Taranaki, will be appointed to the position.