THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3783, 14 September 1926, Page 24

THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday. BILLS PASSED. The Native Trustee Amendment Bill and the Native Land Amerydment and ftntive Land Claims Adjustment Bill were put through their final stages and passed with amendments. The Workers* Compensation Amendment Bill i.nd the Maori Arts and Crafts Bill were passed unamended. In the course of consideration ot the Workers* Compensation Amendment Bill Bir R. HEATON RHODES announced that in the recess the head of the Government Accident Insurance office will visit Canada to investigate accident insurance schemes in operation there with a view of evolving a similar scheme for New Zealand. BILLS PASSED. At the evening sitting the Council put through their final stages practically without discussion the Rural Advances Bill, the Education Amendment Bill, and the Bank of New Zealand Bill, the Pensions Bill, and the Westport Harbour Amendment Bill, all without amendment. The Council adjourned at 9.25 p.m. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday. SWAMP DRAINAGE. The Swamp Drainage Amendment Bill was received from the Houses put through all its stages, and passed. The Council adjourned at 3.15 p.m. The Legislative Council met at 11 a.m. on Thursday. BILLS PASSED. After the Imprest Supply Bill No. 3 had been put through all it s stages and passed the Council adjourned at 11.7 until 2.30 p.m., when the Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill and the Local Legislation Bill were similarly disposed of. The Legislative Council met at 10 a.m. ion Friday. VARIOUS BILLS. The Stamp Duties Amendment Bill, the [Auckland Harbour Board Empowering Bill, the Tutukaka, Whangaruru and Whananaki Harbours Control Bill, the Lyttelton Harbour Board Lo»in Bill, the Petone Borough Council Empowering Bill, the Kaituna River District Bill, and Napier Harbour Board and Borough Enabling Bill were received from the House qI Representatives,

all the local Bills being referred to the Local Bills Committee. MOTOR OMNIBUS BILL. The Council on resuming at 2.30 p.m. passed the Stamp Duties Amendment Bill and then read a first time the Motor Omnibus Traffio Bill, which was introduced from tme House. VALUATION OF LAND BILL. On resuming, the Valuation of Land Bill was read a second time, put through its final stages, and passed. MOTOR OMNIBUS BILL. Three main clauses in the Motor Omnibus Traffic Bill were opposed on the second reading by Sir FREDERICK LANG, who was the only speaker. In committee on the Bill the Hon. J. B. GOW moved an amendment to make the twopence excess fare permissive. instead of compulsory, and this was defeated on the voices. The Bill was passed with minor amendments made by the LEADER of the COUNCIL (Sir R. Heaton Rhodes). LOCAL BILLS. The Local Bills referred to above were put through their final stages and passed. BILLS PASSED. An immediate adjournment was taken on resumption as no Bills were ready to make progress with. Progress was made when the Council reassembled at 10 p.m. The New Zealand University Amendment Bill, the Agricultural College Amendment Bill, the Forests Amendment Bill, the Westland and Nelson Ooa} Fields Amendment Bill, and the Valuation of Land Amendment Bill were passed. After a further short adjournment the Forests Amendment Bill was amended, with the addition of a clause empowering the Commissoner of Forests to delegate the authority conferred upon him under the Bill to wardens. At 11.30 the Council aijourned. The Legislative Council met at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and passed the Approbation Bill. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 on Tuesday. LANDS FOR SETTLEMENT. In laying on the table the report of the Lands for Settlement Department the MINISTER OF LANDS (the Hon. A. D. M'Leod) denied the statement that had been widely published that the Tc Wera estate recently purchased in the Qisborne district for £64,000 would carry only five settlers. He did not know how this rumour originated, and he had tried to correct it, but a section of the press still went on misrepresenting the position. The property was largely sheep country, and would cut up into farms of 600 to 600 acres. In this way it would provide for from 16 to 16 farms, and he believed

that on further examination when owners had cleared off their stock it would be found a good deal of the land would be suitable for dairying, and he would be surprised if the estate did not ultimately carry some 20 settlers. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES. A considerable time was occupied with the receiving of fipal reports of Select Committees. _ The House then proceeded to the orders of the day. NOXIOUS WEEDS. The Noxious Weeds Bill (the MINISTER of AGRICULTURE) was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Agriculture and Stock Committee. SWAMP LANDS. The MINISTER of LANDS moved the second reading of the Swamp Drainage Amendment Bill which, he explained, gave power to write off portion of the capital cost and accumulated interest-on the Waihi and Kaitaia drainage schemes. He said that the Kaitaia scheme, which was started in 1915. would cost £234,000, and the accumulated interest now amounted to £58.000. He was satisfied that the settlers could not carry the whole of this burden as much of the land could not be developed. and when unpleasant facts had to be faced it was beter to face them. He therefore proposed to write off in connection with the Kaitaia scheme £109,000, which would leave the settlers a liability of £125.000. at which price they would take the settlement over. With regard to the Waihi scheme the expenditure up to March 31. 1926, was £93,000 and the accumulated interest £15,000. or a total cost of £106,800, and it was proposed to write off £33,000 which would give the settlers a chance. It was not proposed to reduce the price of land that the settlers could sell at a profit, but the price was such that the land must be worked to the best advantage to give the settlers a living. Mr A. BELL said that these schemes were experimental., and it was natural that mistakes would be made. Had the prices remained as they were in 1914 the cost would not have been anything like what it had proved to be, and while he was grateful to think that the Government was prepared to do something to relieve the settlers to the extent of £109,000, he thought a little more efficiency might have been shown and the total cost reduced to £IOO,OOO, which was os much as the district oould carry. Mr A. BELL suggested as a compromise on the question of swamp reclamation that the capital cost levied on the settlers in Kaitaia be reduced to £IOO,OOO, the country paying £92,500 and the town £7500. He mentioned that the > Lands Departn jt’s drainage scheme in this locality was simply following in the footsteps of one begun in the ancient days by a far-sighted Maori, who, however, had not the means of carrying his ideas

into effect. Mr Bell commended the work done by the department’s engineers. The Bill was read a second time. MOTOR OMNIBUS TRAFFIC. The Hon. F. J. ROLLESTON (for the Prime Minister) moved the second reading of the Motor Omnibus Traffic Bill. He said it had been established that the tramway system was the cheapest and should be protected from serious monetary loss following on the competition by buses. The only way to meet the position was to give municipalities complete control of transport provided they undertook to see that every traffic facility required was provided and that motor bus owners who had entered into a lawful business were not prejudicially affected. From November 1, 1926, no bus would be permitted to run in a municipal area unless a license had been issued by a proper authority, which would fix the routes and £he fares. The only difference between the Bill and the committee’s recommendations was that some things which the committee suggested should be dealt with by the regulations had been included in the Bill. The Minister thought it advisable to have as much as possible enacted.

Regarding the suggestion that there should be a Metropolitan Board of Control for Auckland, the Minister said that was a matter that should be put forward by the districts interested, not by Parliament. The problem of transport was a difficult one, but he thought the Bill would be accepted as furnishing a reasonable solution.

Mr H. E. HOLLAND (Leader of the Opposition) gave general support to the Bill, which he said was the best means of dealing with massed traffic, and it was not right that a privately-owned bus should enter into destructive competition with a publicly-owned tram service. In the smaller centres or in the larger centres away from the areas served by the trams the bus furnished a useful means of transport. A local body, however, if freed from private competition, should be under an obligation to provide adequate transport facilities for the people. Mr Harris protested against this Bill (which prejudicially affected the livelihood of thousands of people) being rushed through at th.is late stage. The committee had recommended that a petition of 100,000 people against the proposals in the Bill should be favourably received by the Government. vet they had this Bill before the House now. It was a Socialistic measure that was going to work untold harm to many people who had put their money into the bus industry. Thq Bill was creating a monopoly to municipalities or private tramWav concerns so that they might charge anv fares they liked. Mr Harris expressed doubt whether the tramways provided the cheapest and most effective transport service. That certainly was not the case in his district. The Bill did nothing to protect the public in the way of seeing that adequate transport facilities were provided. He declared that under the Bill special preference was given by the Government to the Takapuna tramway and Ferry Company by varying the conditions under which the company held its operating rights. The Bill would give this company a present of £IOO,OOO. He intended to move in committee several amendments that would render the measure at any rate innocuous till the people have had an opportunity to voice their desires at the next municipal elections. The Hon. W. DOWNIE STEWART (Acting Prime Minister) said he did not question the right of any member to criticise the Government, but when the member for Waitemata impugned the commercial morality of members of the Government by accusing it of doing something that would put money into the hands of its friends he (the Minister) felt it his duty to speak. He had not intended to intervene in the debate, but in the face of such a statement he must invite the member for Waitemata to consider his position. The member might make his peace later with the Prime Minister) but so long as he (Mr Stewart! was Acting-Leader he would not tolerate such conduct on the part of a member. If he wished to put himself offside the member must make his position clear and stay offside. He could not be on and off at the same time.

Mr D. G. SULLIVAN supported the Bill generally, but hoped that justice would be done to the people who had been rendering services to the public but who would be prejudiced bv the Bill. Sir JOHN LUKE refuted the suggestion that the Wellington tramways adoption of a universal long distance fare had been dictated hv fear of bus competition. This was incorrect because the city’s trams since their inception had put £337,000 into extensions out of earnings, and the net profit last year was £12,700. He urged that bus proprietors should not be put out of business without compensation, as they had rendered services. Mr J. M‘CX)MBS said that in the case of Christchurch, the tramways had done a great deal to create residential areas around the citv. Mr M‘Combs added that the Bill, if passed, would secure to the people the monopoly embraced in the public ownership of the tramway services. If the services were not satisfactorily conducted the people had .the remedy in their own Mr V. H. POTTER contended that the whole of the committee’s recommendation should have been adopted in the Bill. It was described by the Minister as an important Bill, yet the people concerned in the operation of the Act were completely disregarded, as they had no chance of protesting against the Bill’s provisions. The Bill should in all fairness be postponed till next session, as there was no real urgency for its passage. The Bill was a disgrace, and would be a disgrace if it had been brought in by the Labour Party, which was saying a good deal.

Sir JOSEPH WARD said he was glad tho Government had introduced the Bill to supersede ’he regulations which had been issued by Order-in-Council. Still, lie regretted the Bill had not been before the people long enough to enable the public to become acquainted with it. There were some things in the Bill he did not like. To make the owners of the tramways a licensing authority was not fair to the bus owners, because they would be bbund to favour the tramways. There ought to be an independent licensing authority, and the appointment of an appeal board did not help matters very much, nor did he think it a fair business proposition that the bus owners selling their veheiles to a city council should not be able to obtain some goodwill because the city council was going to get the benefit of a business they had not created. It was not fair to fix a system which

would ruin one set of people to benefit even a city council. The motor bus had come to stay, and there ought to be some arrangements which would be fair to both Darties.

Mr E. P. LEE (Oamaru) said the conditions which the committee which considered the Bill desired to see brought about were those pertaining in Dunedin, where the city owned its tramways ana its buses. What they wanted to avoid was buses competing against buses and against tramways. Mr P. FRASER said the only altern§tive to this legislation, even though it were rush legislation, was a period of litigation, ill-feeling, and chaos in the management of the transport of our cities. After midnight the debate was carried on by Messrs H. L. Tapley, H. T. Armstrong, R. W. Smith, T. Forsyth, and H. Atmore, and the second reading was agreed to at 0.55 a.m. SWAMP DRAINAGE. The House then went into committee on the Swamp Drainage Amendment Bill, which was reported without amendment, read a third time, and passed. WASHING-UP BILL. The final clauses to the Washing-up Bill were brought down by GovernorGeneral’s Message, and the House rose at 1.10 a.m. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday. SOLDIERS’ GRAVES. Replying to Mr J. Mason (Napier), the Hon. R. F. BOLLARD said that, in view of the fact that the New Zealand Government had made arrangements to lay wreaths on soldiers’ graves and to supply free photographs of the graves to the next-of-kin, he did not consider it advisable that people in New Zealand should deal, for these purposes, with firms in England and France whose bona fides were not known to the Government. WEST COAST COALFIELDS. By Governor-General’s Message an amendment to the Westland and Nelson Coalfields Administration Act was brought down. The MINISTER OF LANDS (the Hon. A. D. M'Leod) explained that the Bill sought to place the holders of Westport leases under the Public Bodies Leases Act, 1908, which gave the holders the perpetual right of renewal for 21 years. The Bill was read a first time and referred to tho Lands Committee. MOTOR OMNIBUS BILL.

The House then went into committee on the Motor Omnibus Traffic Bill, the Hon. F. J. Rolleston being in charge of tho measure. On the motion of the MINLSTER, the carrying capacity of a motor omnibus was reduced from eight to seven persons, and a new sub-section was added defining "local authority” as an authority within the meaning of the Tramways Act, 1908. Mr A. HARRIS moved to delete subsection of clause 4, defining who the licensing authority would be. He declared that this clause was put into the Bill to violate a recent decision of the Supreme Court.

The debate circled round the question whether a licensing authority should be a city council or some independent body. Mr Harris argued that if the sub-section were deleted the Government had full discretion to appoint what body it liked as a licensing authority, whereas tho Bill made it mandatory that a city council must be a licensing authority. The MINISTER pointed out that there was the Transport Appeal Board, which could review the decisions of the licensing authority and remedy grievances.

On a division, the sub-section was retained by 48 votes to 17. Mr HARRIS then moved an amendment which would have the effect of excluding No. 2 (Takapuna) Licensing District from, the operation of the Bill for 12 months, to enable a municipal election to be held in order that the people would have an opportunity of endorsing or otherwise tho policy of the Takapuna Borough Council, which, he said, had declared, under certain conditions, it would not grant licenses against the Takapuna Tramway Company. On a division, the amendment was lost by 45 votes to 22. When the House resumed at 7.30 p.m. the discussion in Committee on the Motor Omnibus Traffic Bill, at the suggestion of Mr Harris, the MINISTER undertook to - amend clause 7 to fix the date of the issue of licenses on May 31, instead of March. —In clause 9, Mr HARRIS sought to eliminate the penal fare of twopence which the motor omnibus must, in certain cases, charge, this fare to be “not less** than the tramways charge. Mr P. FRASER said the' effect of the amendment would be to destroy the purpose of the Bill. Mr E. P. LEE (Oamaru) said the omnibus owners who did not wish to carry on business under the twopenny fare had the right to have their plant taken over by the licensing authority at valuation. The MINISTER said the clause as it stood was vital to the Bill. If the licensing authority were to pay compensation it must be protected against future competition. The debate was continued till 10.15 p.m., when a division was taken, when the amendment was lost by 45 votes to 13. In clause 11, the MINISTER agreed to alter March to May as the date on which omnibus drivers’ licenses are to be issued. A new sub-clause was added to clause 14 entitling to compensation any omnibus owner who ceased business owing to the coming into force of the motor omnibus regulations. Sir JOSEPH WARD moved to strike out, in clause 14, “no amount shall be allowed in respect of goodwill,’* entitling omnibus owners to claim compensation for goodwill. The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION and Mr J. MASON (Napier) argued that no goodwill existed since the omnibus owners had simply come in and filched some of the business already built up by the tramways. On a division the amendme ♦ was lost by 44 votes to 16. The Bill was recommitted and the alteration in the date agreed to 1 the Minister was mode. The MINISTER agreed to reconsider the constitution of Licensing District No. 8 (Hawke’s Bay) to avoid conflict between the boroughs of Napier and Hastings. The Bill was then reported with amendments.

IMPREST SUPPLY. The Imprest Supply Bill was brought down by Governor-General’s Message, and the House went into Committee of Supply

to consider it. The Bill appropriated the sum of £1,252,600 for the payment of salaries. The Bill was passed without discussion. BILLS PASSED. The Local Government Loans Board Bill, the Local Legislation Bill, and the “Washing-up” Bill were put through their final stages and passed. The Mouse rose at 1 a.m. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday. PORTLAND ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE. Replying to Mr J. Mason (Napier), the Hon. G. J. ANDERSON (Minister of Marine) said his department was of opinion that the present service bv launch was sufficient to keep up communication bptween the mainland and Portland Island Lighthouse. Other methods had been considered, but had been turned down owing to the expense. RUGBY LEAGUE ALL BLACKS. In reply to Mr J. A. Lee (Auckland East), the PRIME MINISTER said the Government was not discriminating against civil servants who were members of the Rugby League team and civil servants who were members of the All Black Rugby team in the matter of pay. WIRELESS CLASSES. The MINISTER OF MARINE, replying to Mr D. G. Sullivan, sard he would consult with the Minister of Education to see whether wireless classes could be established in connection with one of the technical schools, at which sailors could learn to make themselves proficient in the operation of wireless sets. STAMP DUTIES. The MINISTER OF FINANCE (the Hon. W. D. STEWART) moved the second reading of the Stamp Duties Amendment Bill, which, he said, embodied a number of changes asked for by the department, and which were necessary to overcome the difficulties experienced in the administration. The Bill was read a second time without discussion. AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. The Hon. 0. J. HAWKEN (Minister of Agriculture) moved the second reading of the New Zealand Agricultural College Bill. He said the Bill was an important one, providing facilities for higher education in agricultural science and the means of engaging in research work not at present available. The college would be a residential one for a number ol students, and would also provide a summer course in farming on similar lines to that at Lincoln College. It was expected these students would form the'bulk of those attending the institution. In addition there would he a short course of perhaps 10 weeks’ duration for dairy factory managers and workers who desired it. Teaching this class was very necessary, and it was very surprising how well up to now dairy factories had got on with out this teaching. It was necessary that these workers should have the opportunity to learn the technical side of their business and the finer points of their work. There would also be a course for the degree in bachelor of agricultural science. There might not be many such students, but possibly some rich farmers would send their sons to take that course. Another of the college activities would be research work in much the same way as Lincoln College had been doing. It would not supplant the laboratories at Hawera and Hamilton, but would establish a central station which would coordinate all research work done in the Dominion. These activities were important, and would cost a considerable sum of money. He knew that economy was in the air, but he saw no reason why farmers should not have the benefit of higher education. It would benefit the farming industry, and necessarily would do good to the State. We w ere going to meet greater competition in the near future, and unless we met it successfully we would go to the wall. It had been saicl that we could import experts cheaper than we could train them, but he saw no reason why we should not give our young farmers this higher training. It would take some time to prepare these students, but it became neecssary to have them to train our farmers. It was proposed to unite the forces at present existing in Wellington and Auckland, and the Bill provided an annual expenditure of £15,000. and possibly assistance would be derived from certain bequests which had been made in the Wellington Province. _ After a lengthy discussion (a full report of which appears under a separate heading) the second reading of the Bill was carried on th<* voices, Mr H Atmore (Nelson) failing to call for a division in time. STAMP DUTIES. The House then went into committee on the Stamp Duties Amendment Bill, which was reported with amendments moved by the Minister. AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. Progress was reported on the New Zealand Agricultural College Bill after the first clause was passed. LOCAL BILLS. The following local Bills were passed through all their stages:—The Auckland Harbour Board 'mpowering Bill, the Tutukaka, Whangaruru, and Whenanaki Harbours Control Bill, the Lyttelton Harbour Board Loan Bill, the Petone Borough Council Empowering Bill, the Kaituna River District Bill, the Napier Harbour Board and Napier Borough Enabling Bill. Progress w’as reported on the Auckland Provincial Water Board Bill, and the Napier Harbour Board Empowering and Loan Bill was withdrawn. The House rose at 1.45 a.m. The House met at 10.30 a.m. on Friday. MOTOR OMNIBUS BILL. On the third reading of the Motor Omnibus Traffic Bill, Mr A. • HARRIS protested against the Bill, but expressed the hope that the results would not be so disastrous as anticipated. Mr FRASER declared that the Bill was a very fair attempt to meet a difficult position, and the Government deserved every credit for the way in which it had overcome that difficulty. There was absolutley no ground for the suggestion that an unfair advantage had been given to the Takapuna Tramway Company. After a lengthy discussion (a report of which appears under a separate heading) Khe Bill was read a third time and passed. , v

SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES. The House then went into Committee of Supply to receive the Supplementary Estimates. The House resumed at 2 p ; m. and went into committee on the Valuation of Laud Amendment Bill. The Hon. A. D. M’LEOD (Minister of Lands) said he had had conferences with members who originally were opposed to -the Bill and he decided to move into the Bill amendments which he believed, would overcome the objections. This was done, and the Bill w r as amended without objection. FORESTS AMENDMENT BILL. The Hon. O. J. HAWKEN moved the second reading of the Forests Amendment Bill. He explained that the measure was intended to restore to certain sawmillers rights which were taken from them by a recent decision of the Supreme Court. For many j-ears leases had been granted to millers by wardens, and these leases had been discovered to be illegal. The Government proposed to validate these titles. Mr T. E. Y. SEDDON said the leasee had been granted under the Mining Act instead of under the Land Act and the Government had promised that the original leases would be validated. The Government was not validating the old title, but substituting a new title, which was quite a different thing because certain vested righto were not restored. Mr T. W. RHODES objected that the Bill vitally affected mining interests in his district, and there had been no time to let those concerned know the details of what was proposed. He thought Clauses 6 and 9. at any rate (em *»ring the State Forest Commissioner to grant licenses to cut timber for mining purposes and repealing Sections 147-152 of the Mining Act (19(38) should bo held over. Tho MINISTER OF MINES (the Hon. E. J. Anderson) assured Mr Rhodes that the mining interests would be conserved. So far as the West Coast was concerned every right possessed by the sawmillers under the Mining Act was preserved to them under this Bill, but it was not desired to have dual administration, so these leases would be dealt with by the Forestry Department. Mr W. H. FIELD commended the Bill as protecting the interests of the sawmillers while at the same time tending to secure conservation cf the forests. The Bill was read a second time. AN AMENDING BILL. The Hon. E. J. ANDERSON moved the second reading of the Westland and Nelson Coalfields Administration Amendment Bill, which placed certain leasehold lands in Westport on a better footing so far as tenure was concerned. Mr H. E. HOLLAND (Leader of the Opposition) said the present position was that a leaseholder might at time find his interests gone. Tho Bill in effect gave leaseholders tho equivalent of the Glasgow lease with the right of renewal for 21 years. Them was a movement in favour of securing the freehold, but this had been held over in the meantime. Some leaseholders were in a position of requiring urgent measures to give them permanency of occupation, and to enable the rebuilding cf premises to lie undertaken. The MINISTER OF LANDS said that many of the leases concerned in Westport were not registerable owing to faulty survey, and this was to be remedied by a new survey, enabling proper titles to be issued. The leaseholders who were not taking up sections for a further terra oould not obtain compensation for improvements. The Bill was read a second time. AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. A compromise was agreed to on the Agricultural College Bill after a free discussion (a report of which appears elsewhere) the Bill was read a third time and passed. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m .in Committee on the Forests Amendment Bill, which was reported with minor amendments read a third time, and passed. MINING ON WEST COAST. The Westland and Nelson Coalfields Administration Amendment Bill was also put through its final stages, and passed without amendment. SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES. In Committee of Supply, the Supplementary Estimates, totalling £423,506, were passed unaltered after members had voiced their opinions that the parliamentary staff should be better paid. Sir JOSEPH WARD also urged that steps be taken to secure the reinstatement of the old Bluff-Hobart-Melbourne steamer services, and the Postmaster-general stated that negotiations were in progress, but he could not make any statement upon them at present. APPROPRIATION BILL. The Appropriation Bill, the final measure of the session, was introduced and read a first time at 1.45 a.m. Mr J. M‘COMBS (Lyttelton) protested against the Bill being “rushed” through in the early hours of the morning before members had the slightest chance of read ing the clauses, much less understanding them. 'There were important provisions in connection with the banking long-dated loan proposals, which they were told were in accordance with arrangements already made bv the House, but who could say whether the clauses actually did what hev purported to do. He knew it was no use calling for a division, because the Government’s docile majority would vote them down, but he would enter his protest. Sir JOSEPH WARD (Invercargill) said he had read the Bill, and so far as the, banking legislation was concerned, it did exactly what the House agreed to do. It also made provision for other banks to establish a system of long-dated loans which was one of the things he had urged upon the Government. The Bill was read a second time and put through its remaining stages and passed. The House rose at 2.40 a.m. till 11 aTin. UNEMPLOYMENT. When the House resumed, the PRIME MINISTER, in reply to Mr D. G. Sullivan (Aron) said the Government was keeping in close touch with the unemployment question, and no effort would be spared to relieve the situation, wherever it waa acute. ' ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. Amongst others. Ministers gave the following answers to questions put by men. bers: That the departmental engineers have considerable data regarding flashlignt crossing signals in use on European rail-

ways. A number of these electric flashlight warning signals were ordered jy (he department some months ago. and a further supply was ordered recently for erection a' suitable crossings throughout the Dominion. benefit would accrue from practic'd instruction at many of the phormium mil's is fully realised, and some work in this direction has already been clone with good results. Steps are now being taken to strengthen the hemp grading staff so that such instruction may he given to a greater extent than has hitherto been possible. ROYAL ASSENT. The Speaker then left the chair to await the return of the Appropriation Bill from his Excellency the Governor-General. . When the House resumed at noon, tho SPEAKER announced that his Excellency had given the Royal assent to the Appropriation Bill. WORK OF THE SESSION. The PRIME MINISTER reviewed the work of the session, laying special stress on the Family Allowance, the Town Planning, Local Government Loans Board, Rural Advances, Bank of New Zealand Longterm Credits, and Scientific Research Bills, which were policy Bills, calculated to onfer lasting benefits on tho Dominion. lie paid a tribute to the Speaker's efficient and dignified control of the business of the House. The criticism of the Leader of the Opposition had been fair, and although he did not agree with him, he realised that his position wa3 difficult, because he often had to find criticism where it was next to impossible to find. The Leader of the National Party had often been helpful, and the friendly spirit of• the members generally was very encouraging. He paid a special tribute to Sir Joseph Ward, whose criticism had been extremely generous throughout the session, and whose long experience was highly valued by the House. Mr H. E. HOLLAND (Leader of the Opposition), in reply, said he highly appreciated the position of first Labour Leader of the Opposition in New Zealand. It carried with it a considerable responsibility, but they had never held up legislation unnecessary. They only opposed the Government when the Government was wrong. FELICITATIONS. Mr T. E. Y. SEDDON, on behalf of the Leader of the National Party, expressed appreciation of the Speaker’s unfailing courtesy to members, and felicitated the Prime Minister upon his departure for the Imperial Conference, to which he w r as going, not as a representative of a party, but as a representative of all New Zealand. The Speaker and the Chairman of Committees made feeling reply to the encomiums passed upon them. PRESS GALLERY NOTES. PROTECTION AGAINST MONOPOLIES. Mr P. Fraser (Wellington Central) has Sesented a largely signed petition to the ouse of Representatives asking that the Board of Trade Act should be amended to give greater protection against monopolies acting in restraint of trade. The petition arrived too late to be considered this session. ALLOCATION OF PUBLIC DEBT. Mr R. E. Hayes. Secretary to the Treasury, has submitted to Parliament a memorandum on the allocation of the Public Debt. By way of preface Mr Hayes explains that the debt table published in B—l (Part III) shows the major portion of the public debt under the headings of the accounts or the purposes for which the loans were originally raised. An amount of about £56,000.000 in the form of New Zealand Consolidated Stock, however, has up till now been shown under the heading “miscellaneous.” This consolidated stock was issued under the authority of an Act passed in 1877 for the most part in conversion qf other loans previously raised for various purposes. In those times, however, the debt records were not kept in the present form, and the identity of the original loans was lost through the conversion operations. The original authorising acts defined the purposes for which the loans were raised, and the task of ascertaining for what purposes the loan capital now represented by this £56.000,000 of consolidated stock was raised, resolved itself into a question cf tracing back the conversion operations, and in this connection the difficulties were greatly accentuated by the fact that some of the earliest loans have been- converted and consolidated three times. The published ac counts of tlie early years of the financial history of the country are very meagre and disconnected, and the investigation involved considerable research which was not completed until the debt operations had been traced back to 1856 —practically the start of the financial history of the Dominion. Attached to the statement are schedules of the consolidated stock showing the original loans and the apportionment of stock in detail, the allocation of stock classed as and in regard to the Public Debt the allocation according to the services for which the capital was originally raised. ACCIDENT INSURANCE SCHEMES. It is proposed that the head of the Government Insurance Office shall visit Canada in the coming Parliamentary recess in order to inquire into the workers’ compensation systems in operation there. In making this announcement in the Legislative Council each week the Leader of the Council (Sir R. Heaton Rhodes) said that the Ontario system was probably the best-known and the Manitoba system was Rimilar. There were other States which had schemes, practically amounting to a Government monopoly on the basis of compulsion. It was desired to see whether New Zealand could not place on her Statute Book a scheme similar to those of Canada, or perhaps, embodying the best features of those schemes. At any rate it was hoped to evolve a system in New Zealand much better than that now in vogue. Members of the Council agreed that New Zealand was very backward in regard to workers* accident insurance. The Hon. F. Similar Weston said he thought the Ontario system was not all that was spoken of it. Only the previous day he had received a publication stating that the province of Quebec, adjoining Ontario, had just adopted a system which depended upon private companies aa we did in New Zealand. That waa very extraordinary as other Canadian schemes had been so much commended in the last two or three years. It would probably be found that New Zealand gave as much aa any other oountry except New South Wales. He asked members to suspend judgment until a report waa obtained.

General discussion tool: place in regard to workers’ compensation and in reply Sir R. Heaton Rhodes said the question of a contributory scheme could be taken into consideration after the return of the head of the department from Canada. LABOURITES AT LOGGERHEADS. As the session was noaring its close the nerves of some members were apparently getting on edge. On Tuesday evening the atmosphere in the Chamber became electric two occasions. . There was the incident in which Mr Harris was practically told to leave the Reform Party, ami just before that there was a clash between two Labour members. Mr D. G. Sullivan (the member for Avon) was speaking with regard to the grant' ig of compensation to bus services in competition with trams when Mr Fraser interjected: “Would you grant compensation to the liquor service?” “The member for Wellington Central is endeavouring to be smart,” retorted Mr Sullivan vigorously, “but I suggest that if he does wish to be smart he should not take advantage of a colleague whom he knows has never considered the liquor traffic a service. I do not consider the liquor trade is doing a service to the community. I have never done so. Then, if the hon. member does wish to be smart. I suggest .hat he should do so at the expense of th. members on the other aide of the House.”—(Laughter.) “Don’t lose your temper.” called an honourable member.

“I can lose my temper when someone loses his temper when sneaking to me,” said Mr Sullivan, still with some heat, and waving his arm in Mr Fraser's direction, “but I would remind the hon. member not to try and become smart at the expense of his colleague.” FLYING TO AUSTRALIA?

In the House of Representatives Mr J. A. Lee (Auckland East) asked the Minister of Defence whether he was aware that a person calling himself Captain Robert Robertson had informed the news papers that he proposed to flv from Auckland to Australia, and that he was reeeiv imr assistance from the New Zealand Government in the venture. “The information that I have received from Auckland.” said Mr Lee. “is that he is not an airman but a ‘hot-air-man.’ Will the Minister inform the House whether the Government is behind this or not.” The Hon. F. J. Roileston. in reply, said that he had seen the statement in the newspapers. The Defence Department knew nothing of the gentleman referred to or of his proposed flight. The Government knew nothing of his bona fides and had no proposal for assisting him in anv way. LEAGUE FOOTBALL TEAM.

The status of League football players in the arena of amateur sport was men tioned in the House, when Mr J. A. Lee (Auckland East) asked the Prime Minister whether it was true that those of the Ruebv Union All Blacks who were civil servants received half o;»v from (he Government, while those in similar positions who were playing with the New Zealand League team now on tour were not treated alike. Mr Lee wished to know whether the fact that the League players received 10s ner dav out of pocket expenses as against the 4s 6d paid to the All Blacks was used as an avenue of unfair discrimina tion. This, he said, was causing a great deal of dissatisfaction in Auckland, where Teague was well established. The Prime Minister stated that only one rase of a civil servant in the League team had been brought to his notiob. This man would receive £4 10s per week plus expenses while on tour, and he (Mr Coates) was advised that the department, would not bo wise to pay him half-nav in these eireum stances. Mr J. A. loe: I am informed that he receive® o ml v 10®. * Mr J. S. Dickson (Parnell): Yes, 10s per c?av. Mr Holland: Is League not an amateur ga^no? Mr EL. M. Campbell (Hawke’s Bav): That is the difference. Tt i® not. One is a nr o fps®tona! *nd the other is an amateur. Mr J. A. Lee: Tt is not professional. Tt is nnlv a matter of paying 10s per day M- Co-'te®: Well. D’at i« the position. ADVANCES TO Bn , T r rLERS AND WORKERS. A return presented to the House of Representatives shows tint in the Advances to Settlers Branch of the State Advances Department there are 20 leans outstanding, nggregfifj n jr flfi.ooO.o2t. In the Advances to Workers Branch there are 22 loans of an a" ere cate amount of £0.075.700, and in the branch devoted to advances to local anthor't’es 14 loans remain outstanding, the aggregate amount of which is £2,785.520. PHOSPHATE ROCK TONNAGE. Information sunplied to the House of Representatives last week stated that the annual tonnnee of phosphate rock landed in New Zealand from Nauru and Ocean Island since the purchase of the denosits by the British. Australian, and New Zealand Governments is: 1021, 16.505 tons; 1022, 30.208 tons: IfV>3. 51.061 tonß; 1024. 60.707 tons: 10°5. 00.511 tons: 1026. 75.032 tons. During the past six years the amount discharged at the various ports was:—Auckland 235.031 tons, New Plymouth 6223 tons. Lyttelton 56.801 tons, Port Chalmers 34.010 tons. Bluff 0023 tons. This made a total of 342.087 tons. ; BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. In traversing the operations of the past year the Board of Agriculture in the annual report presented to Parliament welcomes the Agricultural College Bill, and suggests preparatory work in primary and secondary schools for students who will Inter go to the college. It also advocates that schoolmasters should have special knowledge in this direction. The question af securing accurate information as to the cost of the production of wool, butter, cheese, and other primary products in order that tlie producers’ position might be better understood was still receiving attention, and the data obtained, however, was not sufficient upon which to make a statement, although much of value had been collected. The board approved the work recently Initiated by the Fields Division of the Agricultural Department. As considerable loss to the producer was occasioned through the fine branding of hides, the board recommended that all branding should be done on the neck and shoulder. The board had decided that the time had arrived for the Introduction of legislation to make dehorning compulsory except in the case of ttnd and pedigree cattle. SOLDIERS* GRAVES. In the House to day Mr J. Mason (Napier) made a statement about tho ex-

ploitation of war grave? in France. He said that private individuals and firms were offering to place wreaths on the graves imd then photograph them and sell tlie photographs to relatives.

The Hon. Mr Bollard said there were several firms in England and France which were communicating with relatives for the sale of photographs. The Government had received several inquiries in respect to tho bona fides of these firms. Special arrangements had been made bv the Government with the High Commissioner at Home for wreaths to be placed on the graves in tho war areas, but the Imperial War Graves Commission had stated that manv of tha wreaths were withered and untidy. There was a general desire to have wreaths laid, however, and organisations in the United Kingdom undertook to do this and also «j take photographs of the graves. In view of tho fact that special arrangements ad been made bv the Government or the f reo supply of such photographs, and in view of tho complaints which had been ree ived to the effect that some relatives nor being exploited. Mr Bollard advised people not to deal with firms, the bona fides of wlucL the Government could not guarantee WESTLAND COLLIERY LEASES. The Westland and Nelson Coalfield! Administration Amendment Bill was introduced into the House on Wednesday. In reply to Mr H. E. Holland, the Hon. Mr M’Leod said there had been trouble and discontent, particularly in the town of Westport, in connection with the Westland colliery leases, which did not carry any rights for compensation over improvement. The position had become so bad in some cases that those holding the leases were not in a position to undertake rebuilding. This was so in some cases of fire, and in regard to one or two hotels. The Bill brought the leases within the provisions of “The Public Bodies Leases Act, 1908.” which gave a perpetual right of renewal every 21 years. In order to do this it would become necessary for the present tenant to surrender his present interest, and the Land Board would assess the valuation fo? new leaes to be issued for the unexpired portion. Mr H. E. Holland: Will they have the option of remaining under the old lease? Mr M’Leod: Yes. Some of them have 30 years to go, but most of them 10 or 11 years. The leases are all for 42 years. This will allow them to carry on under the old lease. THE PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE. Some time ago Mr J. G. Elliott (Or on a) asked for a return showing: 1. Tlie total amount of interest actually earned from April 1, 1921, to March 31. 1926, by estates in the common fund of the Public Trust Office. 2. The total amount of interest actually paid to beneficiaries in these estates for the same period. 3. The total amount of interest actually earned from April 1. 1921, to March 31, 1926, by the Government sinking funds, and all other public funds entrusted to the Public Trust Office. 4. The total amount of interest actually paid to these funds for the same period. There having been no sign of any disposition to supply the information asked for, and, as the session was about to close, Mr Elliott asked the Prime Minister, who is in charge of the department, if tlie information asked for would be given. Mr Coates replied as follows: I am unable to supply the return asked for bv the hon. member. The return will be asked for again next session. RAILWAY BRAKES. In reference to Mr W. A. Veitchs question whether the Minister of Railways would in the interests of public safety postpone the adoption of - certain air valve appliance connecting Westinghouse brakes with the inside of passenger carriages and submit this proposal to the headquarters of the Westingliouse Company, London, for its expert recommendation whether the adoption of the appliance was advisable, and whether, in the event of its adoption in New Zealand, the company would accept responsibility for the reliability of the brakes in all conditions, Mr Coates stated that a similar arrangement of emergency W estinghouse brake to that being placed on carriages on the New Zealand railways had been in operation on British railways and on other railways throughout the world, where the Westingliouse brake was used for m.iiiy vears. The Westingliouse Brake Company 'had submitted drawings of the general arrangement of emergency valves on cars. The Westingliouse Brake Company did not take responsibility in the way suggested by the hon. member. FARM TRACTORS. In reply to a question by Mr D. Jones, the Hon. G. J. Anderson stated that farm oil tractors do not come within the provisions of the Inspection of Machinery Act so long as they are used only for tractor purposes. It has been found that inspectors have reported in error a few tractors so used for the issue of certtn* cate. In any such case a refund of the fee will be made on application. Where, however, oil tractors are coupled up to supply motive power to x stationary machinery they are subject to inspection under the Act in order to ensure that proper provision is made to guard moving parts and belting. The whole question will have consideration when amendments to the Inspection of Machinery Act are under review.

TAXING MOTOR CARS. y In regard to a suggestion by Mr J. R. f Hamilton (Awarua) as to altering the t present system of taxing mDtor cars by I substituting a petrol tax, and whether the annual cost of renewing number plates will be discontinued, the Hon. R. F. Bollard replied: It is not proposed by tlie Government to bring down legislation substituting the petrol tax for the present system. Should, however, further be required for the purpose for which the existing tax is levied, the question of levying a petrol tax in addition to the present tax will be considered. The present system of annual number plates is considered to be the most satisfactory known, and it has been decided to continue the system. PRODUCE GRADER. Replying to Mr J. Bitchener’s question, about the produce grader at TimAru, the Minister of Agriculture replied that the grading of grain, chaff, potatoes, etc., is not compulsory under any New Zealand Act or regulation, and the men who undertake this work are accredited by the Government, but are not in its employ. Their fees ace paid by those who make use of their sorvices. The graders havs, however, at the request of

those engaged in the produce trade, been given authority to issue certificates which* are generally known as Government grain Traders certificates. Such authorities may e withdrawn at any time. The grading standards are fixed by the South Island Grain Merchants’ Association, and any buyer or seller who is dissatisfied with the grading of any particular line has a right to appeal to arbitration, under the rules adonted by the New Zealand Grain Merchants’ Federation. Inquiries are being made into the present position at Timaru. LAND VALUATION. The Hon. A. D. M‘Leod (Minister of Lands) states that the present system of land valuation is receiving attention. A list of the districts in which the valuations are out of line with those in other districts is being prepared with a \sew to having the valuations revised. It is not considered necessary or desirable to incur the expense of reverting to the old system of periodical valuations for the whole Dominion. Better results can be obtained by a permanent staff of trained valuers working continuously with the object of obtaining and maintaining, as far as practicable, comparative uniformity of unimproved values. Movements in land values do not cake place evenly over the whole Dominion, nor at fixed intervals. Movements in land values are, to a large extent, local in character, and revaluations of local districts are undertaken when the need of revision arises. FLOUR AND HEALTH. In regard to the quality of flour and its bearing on the health of the people, the Minister of Health (the Hon. J. A. Young) states that the quality of flour sold in New Zealand is under constant watch. The importation of bleached flour, or of so-called flour improvers, for use in bread making always has been strenuously resisted by the department. Standards are already fixed for ordinary white flour, part wholemeal flour, and wholemeal flour with corresponding standards for bread made therefrom. It could be argued that all- three types of bread are suited to promote good health, and there would .be no wisdom or justification in the Legislature seeking to compel tho sole use of one standard of flour, even if such were physically possible. KILLING. OF CALVES. Tho killing of day-old calves by freezing companies and their sale in overseas markets has been brought under the notice of the Government by Mr J. A. Lee (Auckland East). In reply to a question by him the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. 0. J. Hawken) states that this particular class of trade is in a category by itself, and is treated as being entirely distinct from our established meat export trade. There is understood to be an overseas demand for this meat, and the present season’s restricted operations will enable the market to be properly tested. None of the calves in question will be used for local consumption. ENGINE INSPECTION. The Government contemplaets next session the passing of legislation providing for the inspection of boilers and engines in all vessels and launches of a tpnnage measurement of 10 tons or less. NEW ZEALAND TIMBERS. The Minister of Publio Works states that Specifications prepared by the Publio Works Department provide that New Zea-

land timbers shall be used wherever possible. The Government does not favour the use of imported timbers for decorative work in publio buildings.

APPROPRIATION ACT. Amongst the clauses in this year’s Appropriation Act is one giving authority to pay out of the Education Loans Account the cost of acquiring land and buildings for the establishment of the Agricultural College. No specific sum is mentioned. This section remains law until it is specifically repealed. Local authorities are authorised to expend money from the general fund for exhibiting at the Canadian National Exhibition at Toronto. The salary of the Minister in Charge of the Cook Islands (Sir Maui Pomare) is increased from £llOO to £I3OO. payable to him as a member of the Executive Council, representing the Native race. Authority is taken to transfer £1,000,000 from the Consolidated to the Public Works Fund. The Minister of Finance is empowered to pay from the Consolidated Fund such sums as may be required to discharge the liability of the Government in respect of its guarantee to the fruit growers of a net return of one penny per pound on fruit exported from the Dominion during the year GRANTS FOR OTAGO. WELLINGTON, September 12. On the Supplementary Estimates there is a provision for a grant of £ISOO for the Otago University. There are some small grants for public works in Otago including the following:— Clutha River dredging, £1 for £1 (on account), additional, £950; Waikouaiti River entrance (£2 for £1), £200; Waimca landing, Hawea River, £600; Omaha Valley road' (£1 for £1), £75; Pomahaka to Clinton (£1 for £1), £7O; Waipahi Station road (£1 for £1), £SO; Adam’s Flat to Glenore (£1 for £1), £SO.