THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3617, 10 July 1923, Page 48

THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT.

SETTLING DOWN TO BUSINESS. Special Cobbespomdent. Otago WitnbssO WELLINGTON July 7. With the Address-in-Reply debate out of the way, the House considers itself Lee to “get on with the business of the country.” The debate lasted a foitnigh , and came to an end just before daylight on Tuesday morning. in its later stages it was reduced to a sheer waste of time, and no one was sorry to see the endi of it. The Labour members kept the dis J~gomg during the last Auction, tactics savoured ot puie ousi ~ The Leader of the House, h °wevei, c °ul hardlv have hoped to dispose of this poi tion of the session’s prcgramnie any nio e raDidlv For many Hours befoie tne e.u came nothing mattered except the dnision and when this was taken the Goieiiiimn had its expected majority ot thiee. More About Oamaru. One of the few of the early morning speeches which had the attention of members was that of Mr Macpheison, the mem ber for Oamaru, on the subject ot tne turning of the election papers ui hts constituency shortly fer the breed join Declaring that the ge made a sensational stateme which contemptible , ime Minister and was resented b} tne n , , i was there -ere 1100 voters put on mentary roll, and that no, his behalf, allowed people to get on t roll who were not entitled to vote. The« ft ov for some oßer reason. U hftd new electois, 90 P^ l <ru p balance *Ji. oi .«ounSf for by S‘.o”X rvisbed s£'. permanent home. this, , , f m ui that wTi e ieh°the Prime Mbdster used to cover up his tracks at the by-election. Mistake Did Not Concern Him. The mistake of the Registrar, Mr Mao pherson continued, did not c ° n eern . but this officer was not aHowcd to conduct the election, a gentleman of great capa^ bilitv ii-aving been brought in > ~ conducted the Tauranga election. Mr Mat-Dherson assured the House that nts committee took great precautions no te enrol any but bona fide electors- A batca of enrolment claims which tn . registrar considered irregular was se him, and, strange to say, he found among them the names of some boys and gills ol * Si a .W which matured could be lodged few emob against tbe£ anything. dona We felt sure that the people ot tjamaru who did him the honour to send him as S? ino-s being moved from his office to Magistrate’s Court, where it was conducted Magistrate s v-ou , exceedingly one smgle enrolment claim as meligib e. The Budget. The Address in Reply disposed 01, tne Frim” Minister jn» .bl. to stzsiSste ~|f tggf 23. t CW&rs when Mr Massey rose to commence m » g task, the galleries were fal . lhe iead» | occupied an hour and a-half. ilie cteoa will P not commence before next Tuesday Sht. The Budget, after announcing a su?olus of £1,315.683, and claiming that it wa ] a gratifying result, stated that the lesult of g the year’s operations was a of £5.637.090. The figures for TM2-2Z showed that, with the savings effected the previous year, the reduction in expenditure since ihe «„nc.iy p-b- 3i «<“ be £4,028.863, and the difference was due chiefly to the fact that the third out m civil Servants’ salaries was not put into effect. New Telephone Rates Criticised. Several references were made to the new telephone rates on Wednesday, and there was some strong criticism by country representatives of the increases. A Labour member essayed to solve the Minister s difficulty by suggesting that the Ta-kblocks should 'be equipped with wireless. I lie Postmaster-General, the Hon. J. G. Coates, welcomed the criticism and informed the critics that the New Zealand rates were the cheapest in the world. Speaking of the effect of the increased charges, he said that in the four big centres, subscribers up to one mile and a-half from the centre of base of operations would nBl be greatly affected, while those up to three and n-balf miles would find the charges cheaper. When it came to the country districts, it would reduce the charge to all exchanges of less than IQOO subscribers. These people would pay only for service, as they had not the opportunity afforded the town subscribers of ringing up as many as 10,000 people. Where there were over 10.000 connection at over one and a-half mils from the centre, say, at three or three and a-half miles, the charges would he much cheaper than evp-r before. The system adopted was the best. The American system was. the most modem and up to date of all presentday systems.

Agricultural Banking. No stone has been left unturned by the advocates of agricultural banking, and during the week members of Parliament hare been addressed by the Dominion President of the Farmers’ Union, Mr W. J. Poison, the enthusiastic author of the proposal to establish farmers’ banking institutions in this country. The legislation of last year by no means satisfied the enthusiasts, and it now seems that they are not to have their wish gratified yet a while. More than once the head of the Government has

expressed the opinion that all the financial needs of the rural community can be met by an extension of the State Advances system, and on Wednesday, in reply to a question, he said: —“Legislation will be introduced to widen the scope of the State Advances Act with a view to meeting the financial wants of farmers.” As this was a considered answer to a straight-out question, and not a reply given off-hand, agricultural bankers probably will regard as remote the prospect of inducing the Government to move this session in the direction they desire it. Unemployment. As regularly as winter comes New Zealand s larger centres find themselves burdened with men out of employment. In recent sessions there has been a marked tendency io turn to the Government to provide a way cut. and early this week a tag deputation of workless men wailed on the Prime Minister and other Ministers and asked, not for chanty, but for work. Mr Massey s reply- could not have been very encouraging to them. Certainly he assured them the Government would do its best, but he outlined no definite course of action. He thought, however, the Government would have to provide more work, and in that way endeavour to meet the situation, and this seems to indicate that additional men will be put- on to public works and employed there till work in the rural districts again becomes available and gives the men an opportunity to quit the cities. Already there are nearly 6000 men engaged on the public works of the Dominion, a large army in these times when the Finance Minister cannot spare millions for wages. The Duty on Tea.

Along with the Budget came resolutions reducing the duty on tea, and in explaining them the Hon. W: Downie Stewart said that the threepence reduction simply meant that, tea was being brought back to the position it, was in before the alteration in the tariff was made in 1917, as a war measure. Preference to British growers of tea was being retained. Mr Stewart added that it had been known for some time that the duty on tea was to go back to the pre-war state. He thought the decision to maintain the British preference on tea would be regarded as the correct one.

New Scale of Fares for Immigrants. At the beginning of the month the new scheme of immigration within the Empire came into force. The idea is that the British and the Dominion Governments contribute a quota of the cost of bringing out nominated immigrants. As their respective Governments did not subscribe to the provisions of the Empire Settlement Act, 1922, residents of the Irish Free State, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man are not eligible for nomination. The new scale of fares is as follows: Farm labourers: Sixierth cabin, £11; four-berth, £l3; two-borfh, £l7. Single adults and married couples, not accompanied by children, £l6 ICs £lB 10s, £2-2 10s. Married adults, accompanied by at least one child under 19, £ll, £l3. £l7. Also applies to a widower or a widow, accompanied as above, or to a woman similarly accompanied, proceeding to rejoin her husband. Juveniles (boys and girls, 12 but under 17 years), free. £2. £6. Boys and girls (17 and under 19), £5 10s, £7 10s. £ll 10s. Children under 12 years, free, £l, £3. Domestic servants, free jrassages. In case where nominees are unable to pay cost, of six-bertli passages, the Imperial and New Zealand Governments, acting in concert, will, on the approval of the High Commissioner, advance to such nominees the necessary amount by way o-f loan, repayable within a reasonable time after their arrival in the Dominion. First Batch of Bills. The Prime Minister has been true to his word that be was prepared to give members plenty of legislation to go on with as soon as he could see an opportunity of getting it before the House. The first opportunity occurred on Wednesday evening, when there was almost a deluge of proposed legislation, seven Bills of more or less importance being introduced by Governor’s Message. Among the measures introduced was the Dairy Control Bill, which’ is practically on the lilies of last year’s Bill. There is also the State Advances Bill which has already been broadly explained by the Prime Minister. Tile Harbours Bill is mainly a consolidating measure, and the Pure Food and Drugs Bill aims at widening the powers of inspecting officers and tightenening up the regulations governing the labelling and advertising of the commodities affected by the jiresent law. An amending Stamp Duties Bill has for its object t.he repeal of the. Act passed last year, but which was not put into operation. Tlie exemption from duty of conveyances made for the purpose of a charitable trust is extended. There are amending clauses in regard to duty on offer of sale, options and mortgage. The time for a refund of duty has been extended from six to twelve months, where agreements are not carried into effect. The exemption from annual license duty is extended to all companies formed for the manufacture of any milk products; the original exemption was limited to butter and cheese factories. Death Duties. The Death Duties, Amendment Bill providing that no gift duty shall be payable in respect of any marriage settlement made in respect of the daughter of a settler if the property settled is transferred to and vested in the possession of the trustee of the settlement on or before marriage, the term daughter includes a stepdaughter. Gift duty is also exempted in the creation of any charitable trust; contributions by an employer to provide retiring allowance or pensions of employees; payments made by employers on the retirement of employees or gratuities or bonuses in recognition of services rendered (with certain reservations, chiefly stipulating absence of blood relationship). Gifts by a relative for bis or her education are exempt. The Bill provides that administration is not to be issued before payment of administration fees.

Licensing Legislation This Session. Many people declined to believe that there would be any licencing legislation attempted this session, but Mr George Witty, tlie representative of Riccarton, has drawn from the Prime Minister a statement- to the effect that it is intended to introduce such a measure shortly embodying some of the recommendations of the Licensing Committee of last vear. As tire session is not intended to last beyond the end of August, it seems likely that the Bill will

not attempt to cover the whole of the great field which is open, and that it will merely pave the way for proposals that are to follow at a subsequent session. It seems likely that in order to get the matter out of the way as speedily as possible, the Government will send it to some sort of recess committee or commission.

Caming Legislation. Legislation dealing with gaming seems assured, and though Ministers are very noncommittal, they have created the impression that an attempt will be made to get the House to agree to an increased number of permits. The Hon. W. Downie Stewart, who has hud racing under his wing for some little lime past, and is now handing it over to the Hon. R. H. Bollard, remarked the other day that these who had studied the subject considered the Bill had a reasonable chance of passing. Mr Stewart informed a deputation that his policy" while in charge of the Department had been to try to recognise the claims of the clubs other, than metropolitan clubs, clubs which seemed to him to have a very real justification for their demands. The people who were not in the city areas nad a right to expect to be able to go to the races without having to travel long distances. In carrying cut his policy he hid more than once come into conflict with the metropolitan clubs, but he recognised that if they were to encourage people not to crowd into the towns they must- afford them the means of reasonable enjoyment. If the Bill passed, the question of the redistribution of permits would rest with Mr Bollard in consultation with the Racing and Trotting Conferences, but Mr Bollard would have the final word. One side of the Question is liable to be overlooked. The Labour members are very keen to see the Dunedin proposal of a 7-stone minimum weight in races adopted by the racing authorities, and it is just possible they will throw their weight against the proposal to increase permits unless they get a guarantee that the minimum weight will be raised. The Imperial Conference.

The discussion touching the question of our representation was begun on Thursday night by the Prime Minister, who, in the course of an hour’s speech, broke very little new ground. After contributing to tlie pages of Hansard a brief word-picture of the gatherings he had attended in the past, he stated his views on the principal questions likely to come before the Conference. He favours Imperial preference, and if he goes to the Conference lie will go determined to do all he can for the unity and development of the Empire. He realises the need for better communication with other portions of the world which fly tlie Union Jack, but lays down no plan as to how to bring it about or when it should be commenced. He indicates that he is closely watching the development of aeroplanes for commercial and war purposes, and that he has little faith in airships. He is an advocate of Empire migration, and thinks there is no argument against the meeting place of the Conference being changed from time to time. He strongly approves the proposal to establish a naval base at Singapore, and disapproves the occupation of the Ruhr. As to future wars, he believes that the constitutional position is that when the Empire is at war, every portion of the Empire is at war. He concluded his speech by moving the following resolution:—“That resolutions passed at the Imperial Conferences are only obligatory on any Dominion of the Empire if and when they are approved by the Parliament- of that Dominion.” The Other Leaders.

Mr Massey was followed by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr T. M. Wilford. and after- him Mr Holland spoke. Mr Wilford seconded the resolution which the Premier had moved. In an expression of his views, of the Conference, he said ho did not agree with the Prime Minister where the latter said that Russian affairs might be deemed to be a matter of policy concerning only Britain. Mr Wilford looked on tlie Conference as the anvil on which the new consituation of the Empire had to be hammered into shape. We claimed a share in helping to mould the affairs of the Empire, and that w T a s the idea of the Conference. The -Conference was not only for round-table discussion, but the opinions of the Dominions of the Empire. He put it to the Prime 31 mister that any secret treaty was a breach of trust, or a breach of faith. The right of ireland as stated in its constitution to stand out of wars was explicitly stated. The same occurred in the constitution granted - Malta. When Mr Hughes represented Australia at the 1921 conference, he. claimed for his countrv a right to decide foreign policy. Mr Wilford contended that we were entitled to be consulted on all foreign affairs. Mr Massey: We are entitled not only to be consulted, but to have a voice. Mr Wilford said we had to see that our delegates were alive to every move of foreign policy, because there was no move that: did not affect the British Empire, and if it affected khe Empire it affected us. The delegates should know everything that was going on in which we were concerned. We had to understand that we must take our part in the affairs of the Empire and shoulder our obligations. Mr 11. E. Holland, Leader of the Labour Partv, said everyone must have been struck by the change in attitude shown by the motion. It was a tribute to the work of the Labour Party. It meant no secret commitments would bind New Zealand. It was a win from the Labour Party’s viewpoint. The Main Trunk Disaster. To say Parliament was shocked when it received the news of the Main Trunk railway disaster is to describe inadequately the impression made upon the members. The House devoted most of a short afternoon sitting to references to the accident, and after speeches by tlie party leaders and the Minister of Railways and two members who had been in t.he railway service the House adjourned till evening as a mark of respect to the memory of the killed.

Imperial Conference. In the evening the Imperial Conference debate came to an end. and the resolution moved by the Prime Minister was agreed to. Mr Massey had intended to speak again on the debate, but the end came while lie was out of the Chamber. It was very obvious he was disappointed when he returned and found he had missed bis opportunity. Spahlinger Preparations. Replying to a question by Mr Armstrong, the Hon. O. J. Parr (lately Minister of Health) stated that for the last two years the Department of Health has been endeavouring to obtain exact information re-

specting M. Spahlinger’s preparations, both from the English Ministry of Health and fhe High Commissioner for New Zealand in London. Efforts have been made from time to time to obtain supplies of the preparations for trial fli the dominion. Unfortunately M. Spahlinger is apparently uot in a position to supply any of his serum to the public, and will not be able to do so for at least two or three years. The Hon. Dr W. E. Collins, M.L.C., who is at present in Europe, has been commissioned by the Government to investigate fully and report upon M. Spahlinger’s methods. Upon receipt of his report further consideration will be given to the question of obtaining the New Zealand rights. So far as is known no Government has as yet actually gone so far as to purchase the rights for use in its countrv. Recent press cablegrams show the attitude of the commonwealth Government in this connection. Attention is drawn to the cabled message ajipearing in recent newspapers announcing that Professor Dreyer, of Oxford, is at present carrying out important researches into the treatment of tuberculosis, and until these researches have been completely investigated it might be injudicious to conclude negotiations with M. Spahlinger. Both developments will be carefully watched. Linseed.

In answer to a question by Mr Bitchener, the Minister -of Agriculture replied that it is considered that -pending fhe establishment of an export trade in linseed to the Home markets information as to the Calcutta prices for delivery in Australia would be cf greater value to New Zealand producers than the English market quotations. Arrangements are accordingly being made to obtain from Sydney for publication in the local press at frequent intervals quotations for linseed for delivery in Australia,