THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3995, 7 October 1930, Page 26

THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WELLINGTON, September 30. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. LONDON AND NEW ZEALAND BANK. The second reading of the London and New Zealand Bank, Ltd., Amendment Bill was moved by Mr V. H. Reed. Sir W. Hall-Jones said the original Act expired on July 31 last and yet they were being asked to amend it. Surely they could not amend a Bill ‘ that was already dead. Mr Reed said the point could be considered when the Bill went to committee, although he did not admit that the Act had lapsed in toto. The Bill was read a second' time and referred to the Committee of Selection. The Council adjourned at 2.45 p.m.

WELLINGTON, October 1. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. SPEED OF MOTOR VEHICLES.

Mr D. Buddo asked the Government whether it would introduce legislation extending the present restrictions on the speed of motor vehicles. The Leader of the Council (Mr R. Masters) said there was ample power at present under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1924. A re-draft of the regulations was nearly ready for circulation to local bodies and others interested. The Government was fully alive to the seriousness of the traffic accident situation. A BANKING MEASURE.

The London and New Zealand Bank (Ltd.) Amendment Bill was reported from the Committee of Selection without amendment. FOREIGN MAGAZINES.

Mr C. J. Carrington moved—“ That in the opinion of the Council the Government should consider the question of limiting by means of duty the importation in bulk of papers and periodicals of foreign origin, thereby conserving our national spirit and national ideals by assisting our own periodicals to exist by maintaining a wider circulation.” Mr Carrington said that New Zealand was being made the dumping ground for foreign magazines, and it was practically impossible for New Zealand magazines to keep going. Other members of the Council thought they should be very careful before placing any restriction on the importation of books which might mean knowledge to the people of the Dominion. Eventually Mr Carrington agreed to Withdraw his motion. BILLS DEALT WITH.

The National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum Bill and the Births and Deaths Registration Amendment Bill were referred to the Statutes Revision Committee.

The New Zealand Institute Amendment Bill and the Incorporated Societies Amendment Bill were read a second time.

The Council adjourned at 3.20 p.m.

WELLINGTON, October 2. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. BILLS PASSED.

The New Zealand Institute Amendtaent Bill and the Incorporated Societies Amendment Bill were put through committee and passed without amendment. The Council adjourned at 2.40 p.m. WELLINGTON, October 3. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY BILL. The Statutes Revision Committee recommended that the amendments made by the House in the New Zealand University Amendment Bill should not be ’ agreed to. , BILLS ADVANCED. The Statistics Revision Committee reported the Births and Deaths Registration Amendment Bill without amendment. The London and New Zealand Bank, Ltd., Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. NURSES AND MIDWIVES BILL. In moving the committal of the Nurses and Midwives Amendment Bill the Leader of the Council (Mr Masters) said the Bill was one of considerable importance. Its object was to allow nurses in private hospitals to be registered. Mr G. J. Garland said there was not a tittle of evidence to show that the reciprocal arrangement between England and New Zealand .would be interfered with. v ‘ Dr W. E. Collins supported the Bill, which would be of great assistance to those people who were not able to pay the full charges. Mr A. S.'Malcolm moved as an amendment that the Bill should be committed six months hence. After other members had expressed their opinions regarding the Bill the debate was adjourned until Tuesday. The Council adjourned at 5 p.m. until Tuesday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WELLINGTON, September 29. The House' met at 2.30 p.m. TOTALISATOR DUTY. Mr W. E. Barnard (Napier),-asked the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr P. A. de la Perrelle) whether he would

make provision this session whereby money refunded to racing clubs in respect of totalisator duty may, in the discretion of the clubs, be applied toward painting and otherwise maintaining in good order club buildings erected on racecourses.

Mr de la Perrelle said that when legislation for a rebate of 1J per cent, to totalisator clubs was first introduced the rules of racing provided that the net amount received from the totalisator in any one racing year was to be given in stakes the following year. It was therefore necessary to earmark the rebate for improvements or for the liquidation of liabilities incurred for improvements, otherwise clubs would have been obliged to give the rebate in stakes. Now, however, the rules of racing had been amended and special permission had been made requiring racing clubs to give not less than 90 per cent, of the average net amount received from the use of the totalisator during the three previous years.. It had been provided also that the totalisator tax refunded hould not be reckoned as revenue derived from the use of the totalisator. Mr de la Perrelle said, he would bring the matter before Cabinet for consideration with a view to introducing amending legislation. LAND LAWS AMENDMENT BILL. The Land Laws Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor-General’s Message and read a first time.

Mr Ransom said the Bill provided that areas of inferior Crown lands might be disposed of without competition or by public auction to companies engaged in afforestation or the cultivation of flax or in other industries. It also made provision as to the computation of th" price on the acquisition of the fee simple of lands that had been revalued under statutory authority. Mr P. Fraser (Wellington Central) said he thought it time the Government should consider restricting rather than increasing the land available for afforestation.. He declared that land had been taken in the past when it ought to have been used for sheep or cattle farming. This view was supported by Mr W. E. Parry (Auckland Central) and Mr F. Langstone (Waimarino). Mr C. H. Clinkard (Rotorua) said he thought it wo-’d be wise for the Government to devise means of reviewing estates before they went into trees. Tree-planting ought not to be discouraged but should be the subject of careful supervision. Mr Ransom stated that the clause to which reference had been made did include afforestation among other industries, but it did not concern afforestation mainly. He said that during his visit to this country Lord Craigavon had remarked that there were large tracts of land in New Zealand that would be suitable for the production of linen, and he was surprised that no attempt had been made to produce flax of much greater value. The Bill would enable private companies to take up land to produce flax o'f suitable quality for the manufacture of linen. It had been found that hitherto the Lands Department had no power to grant sufficient land for the purpose in any one block. Mr Ransom said that at the present time the primary products of this Dominion were limited to comparatively few industries, and consequently the drop in values of these products was more severely felt than would be the case if. there were a wider range of industries. Another industry which it was. hoped it would be possible to develop more fully under the provisions of the clause was tungoil planting. If larger tracts of land were available there would be. gi eater facilities for development in this direction. Mr Ransom added that afforestation had been included because there were still some areas that were not suitable for any other form of cultivation.

UNEMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE’S REPORT.

Mr J. T. Hogan (Rangitikei) presented the interim report of the special Unemployment Committee. The report stated that since the presentation of the last interim report the committee had held four meetings and had inquired into the question of promoting or assisting certain secondary industries from the point of view of assisting immediately in the relief of unemployment. The committee was of the opinion that both from the point of view of unemployment and from a national standpoint the flax industry should receive the immediate consideration of the Government. The committee had received valuable information in relation to this industry and had passed the following resolution : ‘ That the committee recommend the Government to compel improvement in the quality of flax grown and manufactured in New Zealand and to encourage an increase in the quantity produced as it is apparent that there is a world market for good quality fibre. The committee is of the opinion' that the Government should consider the advisability of granting a subsidy on the production of the .best quality fibre for a limited period as a means of securing the end in view. The committee recommends that a conference of Government representatives, millowners, flax land owners and employees in the industry be called by the Government for the purpose of considering the whole position in regard to the flax industry with special regard to (a) a reduction in costs by increased efficiency; (b) the vital necessity for improvement in the quality and grade of the fibre produced; and (c) the establishment of a State flax mill for training purposes or alternatively the appointment of additional instructors for the purpose of

educating those engaged" in the industry in the best methods to be employed.” The report continued: “In the opinion of the committee it is quite probable that this industry can be so restored as almost permanently to employ 1500 men. The committee has also inquired into the extent to which New Zealand products have been and can be used 'by State departments in preference to goods of foreign manufacture, and has passed the following resolution:—“That in view of the fact that the Stores Control Board is the largest purchaser in New Zealand the committee recommends that the Ministers in charge of all departments instruct their respective departments when supplying specifications of goods required to stipulate that the articles shall be New Zealand made conditionally on their being of sufficiently good quality and a reasonable price. The term “ reasonable price ” should be interpreted as fair and reasonable price, having regard to the cost of production in New Zealand by established and efficiently administered local industries.” The report added: “ Further information and reports on coal carbonisation have been received, and information is being sought on the possibilities of the shale oil industry from the point of view of relieving unemployment. The committee is also calling expert evidence on the question of financial assistance to farmers.” LAW PRACTITIONERS BILL. Moving for the commital of the Law Practitioners Amendment Bill, Sir Apirana. Ngata said the main purpose of the Bill was to confer on the University of New Zealand the sole control of the educational qualifications of candidates for the legal profession. It should be read in conjunction with the New Zealand University Amendment Bill, which provided for the setting up of a council of legal education and also empowered the University Senate to make statutes with respect to law examinations. The motion was adopted. BILLS PASSED. The National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum Bill, the New Zealand University Amendment Bill, the Law Practitioners Amendment Bill, and the Judicature Amendment Bill were put through their final stages and passed. OFFENDERS PROBATION BILL. Outlining the Offenders Probation Amendment Bill, the Minister of Justice (Mr J. G.. Cobbe) said the amendments to the principal Act were to prevent juvenile offenders whose names were not published from being identified by the publication of other particulars. The chief probation officer would be given power to extend the time allowed to a person on probation for the payment of any moneys due under the terms of probation. There had been cases where particulars which would identify an offender had been published. The Bill was read a second time. PREVENTION OF CRIME. In moving the second reading, of the Prevention of Crime (Borstal Institution Establishment) Amendment Bill, Mr Cobbe said it would make provision for maintenance to be paid where an offender had dependents, and also for the arrest of escapees without having to bring a charge as a rogue and vagabond as at present. ' ° The Leader of the Labour Party (Mr H. E. Holland) said that the time was coming when borstal inmates and men in gaol with dependents would be required to do sufficient productive work to support those dependents. Mr Cobbe, in reply, said he was glad to see that members approved of the improvements proposed. "rhe Bill was read a second time. ’ CORONERS AMENDMENT BILL. Mr Cobbe moved the second reading of the Coroners Amendment Bill, and said it would give power to reopen an inquest, and would provide for the holding of an inquest in certain cases where a body was not recovered, and would give power to a coroner to order burial before an inquest. The Bill was read a second time. BIRTHS AND DEATHS REGISTRATION. Moving the second reading of the Births and Deaths Registration Amendment Bill, the Minister (Mr P. A. de la Perrelle) said that provision was made for the omission of the word “illegitimate” from the certificate of birth of illegitimate children. This would remove the stigma which unfortunately followed undeserving people through life. Another amendment provided for the registration of deaths of New Zealand naval forces occurring outside the Dominion.

Fear was expressed by some members that if the Bill were passed there would be no legal distinction between illegitimate and legitimate births, confusing the point where the disposition of estates was concerned.

Mr de la Perrelle replied that in English law now provision was made for wedlock, and it would be quite safe to follow that precedent. The Bill was read a second time. BILLS PASSED.

The House then went into committee on the Offenders Probation Amendment Bill, the Prevention of Crime (Borstal Institutions Establishment Amendment Bill), the Coroners Amendment Bill, and the Births and Deaths Registration Amendment Bill. When the Coroners Amendment Bill was in committee Mr Macmillan did not persist with the

amendment, the Minister stating that the very object of the Bill was the reopening of inquests where there was reasonable doubt. All four Bills were reported without amendment, read a third time, and passed. The House then went into committee on the Chartered Associations (Protection of Names and Uniforms) Bill, the Incorporated Societies Amendment Bill, the Statutory Land Charges Registration Amendment Bill, and the New Zealand Institute Amendment Bill. With the exception of the Statutory Land Charges Bill, the other measures were reported without amendment:, read a third time, and passed. The House rose at 10.50 p.m.

WELLINGTON, September 30 The House met at 2.30 p.m. PRIVATE BILLS.

The Otago Presbyterian Church Board of Property Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. The Minister of Education (Mr H. Atmore), in moving the third reading, said the board deserved commendation for its publicspiritedness. The Bill merely sought authority for the board to make larger grants for education. The M'Lean Institute Bill (Mr H. Holland), another private Bill, was read a third time and passed. TRANSPORT LEGISLATION. Replying to Mr W. E. Barnard (Napier), the Minister/ of Transport (Mr W. B. Taverner) stated that it was not intended to proceed with the Transport Bill this session. LETTER OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT. Mr Speaker read a letter from Lady Pomare acknowledging the House’s expression of appreciation of the services rendered by Sir Maui Pomare to New Zealand. When the House resumed in the evening the Defence Department’s vote of £275,000 was passed. NAVAL DEFENCE VOTE. Replying to questions raised during consideration of the estimate of £450,000 for naval defence, Mr Cobbe said it was necessary for New Zealand warships to go Home periodically for repairs. This work could not all be done in New Zealand, and, the Minister added, vessels went to Great Britain from all parts of the world for this purpose. Replying to Mr P. Fraser (Wellington Central), the Minister stated that the increase in the estimated expenditure for this year was largely due to the fact that many of last year’s items had been carried over. The Minister, replying to Mr W. E. Barnard (Napier) said there were at present 600 men enrolled in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, while there were companies only in the four main centres at present. It was proposed that the system should later be extended to the smaller coastal towns.

Replying to Mr W. D. Stewart (Dunedin West), Mr Cobbe said that the naval service was becoming very popular among young. men in New Zealand. Since the inception of the arrangement p!9 men had enrolled, and there were 3/1 serving at present. The idea was to keep the ratio of New Zealanders in our naval forces at approximately 50 per cent.

The vote was passed. The Post Office account vote was under consideration when the House rose at midnight.

WELLINGTON, October 1. The House met at 2.30 p.m. WOMEN JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. Mr E. J. Howard (Christchurch South) in a personal explanation, stated that during the consideration of the Justice Department estimates he had said that only members of the Victoria League could, under the Reform Administration, be appointed as women justices of the peace. He had found on investigation that this was incorrect, and he regretted that the statement had been made. PRICE OF PETROL. Mr W. J. Broadfoot (Waitomo) asked the Acting-Prime Minister whether he was aware that it was reported that the oil companies operating in New Zealand proposed to increase the price of petrol by Id per gallon, and whether he would, m the event of such increase, set up a committee of the House to inquire into the difference between the prices charged in New Zealand and those in the United States. The Acting-Prime Minister (Mr E. A. Ransom) said the Government had no information that an increase was contemplated, but it would give consideration to Mr Broadfoot’s suggestion if an increase took place. THE ARAPUNI WORKS.

The Acting Prime Minister (Mr E. A. Ransom) said the report of Professor Hornell on Arapuni was not yet in the hands of the Government, but he expected it to be available shortly, and he hoped to be able to present it to the House next week. SPECIAL RAILWAY COMMITTEE. In reply ’ to a point raised by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr J. G. Coates), the Acting Prime Minister (Mr E. A. Ransom) said it was a matter for the Special Railway Committee itself to decide when .it would report back o the House. CRUELTY TO MONKEYS. Replying to Mr D. G. Sullivan (Avon), the Minister of Health (Mr A. J. Stallworthy) said he was not aware that any application had been made to conduct

monkey gland experiments in New Zealand.

Mr Sullivan asked whether, in view of a menace to the community and the torture of the animals involved, the Min-? ister would prevent - such experiments being made.

Mr Stallworthy said he would havq to investigate the position and ascertain what were the department’s powers in the matter.

COAL MINING INDUSTRY. Mr J. O’Brien (Westland) -rew atten* tion to the prospect of unemployment among coal miners on the West Coast through lack of orders, and asked whether the Government would take steps to prevent the importation of Australian coal. The Acting Prime Minister (Mr E. A, Ransom) said that under the terms of the tariff agreement between New Zealand and Australia a duty on Australian coal could not be imposed unless by mutual agreement between the Commonwealth and the Dominion, or until after the expiry of six months’ notice to the Commonwealth. The question of importation of coal was at present receiving the carefr' consideration of the Government. The Minister of Mines (Mr A. J, Murdoch), replying to the Leader of the Labour Party (Mr H. E. Holland), said the whole question of the coal mining industry was under consideration by the Government. The Railways Department had no orders placed for Newcastle coal, and at present was not contemplating such orders.

INSECTS IN TIMBER. The Acting Prime Minister (Mr E. A, Ransom), in reply to Mr W. E. Barnard (Napier), said the question of the prevention of the importation of timber harbouring injurious insects, or subject to fungal attack, had been receiving attention for some time. The importance of the matter was fully appreciated, and efforts to find a satisfactory solution of the difficulty were being continued.

POST OFFICE SAVINGS BANK. In reply to Mr W. E. Barnard, who drew, attention to the growing increase of withdrawals over deposits in the Post Office Savings Bank, the Acting Prime Minister said that whilst it was not proposed to increase the interest rates on deposits at present the Government was fully seized with the' importance of the question. It was to be pointed out, however, that the Post Office Savings Bank deposits were at call, and from the point of view of security these deposits were in a different category from deposits lodged with finance companies, etc.

NEW ZEALAND PERMANENT FORCES. The Minister of Defence (Mr J. G. Cobbe), replying to Mr F. Waite (Clutha), said it was not the intention of the Government to discharge such officers and non-commissioned officers of the New Zealand Permanent Forces as it could reasonably employ. Every encouragement was being given to officers and non-commissioned officers of the territorial force to continue their service voluntarily and maintain the organisation and esprit de corps of their units. ALLUVIAL GOLD DEPOSITS. The Minister of Mines (Mr A. J. Murdoch), replying to Mr J. O’Brien (Westland), said the unworked alluvial gold deposits in Westland were still being prospected by means of the Keystone drills owned by the Mines Department, which were hired out upon reasonable terms and conditions. In addition to that, the Government had decided to grant subsidies for the purpose of boring approved alluvial gold deposits.

STANDARDISED CHEESE. - In ansiver to a question submitted Oy Mr F. Waite (Clutha), the Minister of Agriculture (Mr A. J. Murdoch) said the position resulting from last year’s operations was that, while a proportion of the standardised cheese exported from New Zealand had been of good quality and acceptable to buyers, a good deal had not been up to the quality desired. The experience gained last season, coupled with a very evident desire on the part of the industry to raise the quality of the cheese output, was confidently expected to bring about better results during the coming season. COAL CARBONISATION. The Acting Prime Minister informed Mr D. G. Sullivan (Avon) that the recommendations of the Special Unemployment Committee were receiving earnest consideration, including the question of coal carbonisation, the importance of which was fully realised. LICENSING ACT. In the course of a reply to Mr W. E. Broadfoot (Waitomo), the Minister of Defence (Mr J. G. Cobbe) mentioned that it was not proposed to introduce any amendment to the Licensing Act this session. TEN-SHILLING NOTES. Mr E. J. Howard (Christchurch South) asked the. Acting Prime Minister whether the Associated Banks had decided to withdraw or curtail the issue of 10s notes through the Post Office Savings Bank. The Acting Prime Minister replied that the Post Office Savings Bank was not a commercial bank, and to use it for note-issuing purposes would be quite incompatible with its principles. He added that the whole question of note issue was being examined in a review of the banking system which was now being undertaken. Mr C. A. Wilkinson (Egmont) asked whether, in view of the proposed curtailment of the circulation of the 10s notes,

the Government would consider arranging with the Imperial Mint authorities for a special issue of a silver coin suitable for the Dominion’s requirements • He pointed out that this should be a very profitable transaction. Considering that an ounce of silver was worth to-day Is 6d, it would, when combined with an alloy to the present coinage standard produce coins to the face value of 10s. The Acting Prime. Minister replied that the Government did not propose to take any line of action that would have the effect of defeating its own taxation measures. However, the point raised, in so far as profits on silver coinage were concerned, would be looked into in connection _ with the general review of the banking and currency question at present being made. INDUSTRIAL LIFE OF DOMINION Mr T. D. Burnett (Temuka) asked whether, seeing that all the authorities were agreed that the Dominion’s selling season would be opening shortly, with x all our primary products at a lower level than last season’s closing prices, he would, immediately bn the rising of Parliament, declr— the country in a state of emergency and call representa tives of all interests in the State to see if, by a round-table conference and con ciliation, and the facing of facts, an amicable readjustment of the industrial life of the Dominion could not be effected. The Acting Prime Minister replied that there was no necessity to resort to the panic measures indicated by Mr Burnett.

- MAGISTRATE’S COURT BILL. On the motion of Mr H. G. R. Mason (Auckland Suburbs), the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Magistrate’s Court Amendment Bill were agreed to. - RATING AMENDMENT BILL. The Rating Amendment Bill (Mr H. G. R. Mason) was considered in com mittee. . . Mr W. Downie Stewart (Dunedin West) asked what were the views of the Government on the Bill. He contended that it should not be left to the Opposition to undertake the responsibility of determining whether private members’ Bills were desirable or not.

The Minister of Internal Affairs (Air P. A. de la Perrelle) said the expert advice was to the effect that the Bill was in no way undesirable. On the con- . trary, it would to some extent eliminate administrative difficulties.

Mr Barnard expressed regret that Mr Mason had imported into the Bill a new provision which would’ have the effect of taking away-'.from property owners the right to relief from the payment of rates in the event of a building being unoccupied for six months. He had .no knowledge of any case in which a person had—as had been suggested—erected a small shack on a section for the purpose of avoiding the payment of rates on the ground that the building had been unoccupied for six months. Mr W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne) agreed with Mr Barnard that it was unfortunate the new provision had been included. Air Mason remarked that the remain der of the ratepayers in a district would have to bear the consequence of granting such rebates to property owners. Other members expressed regret that Air Alason had not left the Bill in its original form instead of seeking to include at a few moments’ notice an amendment taking away an important right relating to relief from rating. A division was sought, when the amendment was put and it was defeated by 48 votes to 16. Air Harris moved an amendment with the object of providing that districts in which the unimproved value system of rating was in operation should be exempt from the clause of the principal Act providing that half rates were chargeable for buildings unoccupied for six months.

The amendment was defeated by 41 votes to 17.

The Bill was reported to the House with a minor amendment inserted at Air Alason’s request, and was read a third time and LOCAL ELECTIONS AND POLLS." The Local Elections and Polls Amendment Bill (Air H. G. R. Alason) was considered in committee.

Air Alason explained that the measure was purely a permissive one, and was designed to give local bodies the option of employing the “ X ” system of voting if they wished. The Bill was put through its remaining stages without amendment and passed. MEAT EXPORT CONTROL. The House then went into Committee to deal with the Aleat Export Control Amendment Bill (Air W. D. Lysnar). A number of members criticised the Bill, maintaining that the producers generally did not desire changes in the method of electing the board. The discussion was interrupted by the rising of the House at midnight. WELLINGTON, October 2. The House met at 2.30 p.m. DAIRY PRODUCE ACT. Air F. Lye (Waikato) presented the report of the Public Petitions Committee on the petition of Air A. H. Owen and 55 others praying for an amendment of the Dairy Produce Export Control Act. The committee reported that in the absence of sufficient evidence of any widespread desire for such a change as the

petition requested it had no recommendation to make.

Air C. A. Wilkinson- (Egmont) regretted that a more favourable report had not been made to the House. The Act had been a bone of contention ever since it was passed, and to-day the board was costing the farmers £40,000 per year. The board ctfuld very well reduce its expenditure, for at present the personnel was too large.

Air T. W. APDonald (Wairarapa) said that under the system of voting on a tonnage basis it was wealth which decided the constitution of the board, and the average producer had little to do with it. He moved that the report be referred back to the committee for further consideration.

The amendment wtu seconded by Mr W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne), who said the Dairy Board would have to be either reconstituted or scrapped. The Government nominees and the representatives of commercial interests should be eliminated from the board, which at present was loaded against the producers. Mr W. L. Alartin (Raglan) suggested that Air APDonald was not aware of what the petitioners, actually sought. They had been asked if they favoured a reconstitution of the board, and had agreed that this would be an improvement, but what they really desired was an opportunity of voting whether the board should con tin tie to exist or not. Mr Alartin added that he was satisfied this was not wanted by the producers. He agreed that .acre was dissatisfaction with the tonnage basis of election.

Mr J. A. Nash (Palmerston) said hithought the personnel of the board con Id be reduced. The board had made serious mistakes in the past. It had been given powers that were too wide.

Mr J. T. Hogan (Rangitikei) took ex ception to the contract the Dairy Board had made with the shipping companies whereby it was not possible to ship pro duce f>-om certain ports, such as Wanga nui. This contract established the policy of centralisation to the ruination of a number of the smaller ports, and to the detriment of many dairy factories. He urged that the Government should lose no time in altering the constitution of the board. n

Air A. W. Hall (Hauraki) said he desired to remind the House that the etition had asked that a poll of the producers should be taken to determine whether the Dairy Control Board should or should not be abolished. He had not heard one member suggest that the board should be abolished He considered an impartial committee could not have reached any other decision than that which had been reported to the House, especially in view of the fact that the petitioners had not produced any evidence of a widespread desire for the change advocated. Nothing could be gained by referring the report back to the committee.

Air W. J. Polson (Stratford) declared that the question of the amalgamation of the Aleat and Dairy, Boards should be given the earnest consideration of the House. The business could be more economically and equally efficiently conducted by a single executive. Air Lye said he believed the powers of the Dairy Control Board should be restricted, and he agreed with those who had criticised the tonnage basis of election. He realised, however, that the reconstitution of the board was a matter apart from the subject of the petition, and he assured the house that nothing could be gained by referring the report back to the committee. Air H. E. Holland said he understood the object of the petition was to have a referendum taken on the question of whether the board should continue *'o exist or not. If that were so the proper way to have gone about the matter would have been to have presented a petition signed by at least one-tenth of- the producers. In that case the House would have had no option but to have granted the request for a referendum. He agreed that there would be no good purpose served by referring the report back "O the committee. At the same time, he pointed out that he and his party strongly disapproved of the present undemocratic system of electing the board. The amendment was defeated on the voices, and the report was laid upon the table. APPRENTICES BILL. The Minister of Labour (Air S. G. Smith), in moving the committal of the Apprentices Amendment Bill, said it had been considered by the employers and workers concerned throughout the Dominion and it met substantially the decisions reached at the Apprenticeship Conference in 1929.

Air R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) asked whether it could be taken that all the parties had agreed to the provisions of the Bill. Air Smith: Yes.

Air Wright said he wished to bring under the Alinister’s notice a difficulty experienced by parents at the present time in getting their boys apprenticed. He was not suggesting that the country should turn out more journeymen thanit could employ, but he thought that all employers should endeavour to engage a reasonable number of lads. He sug gested that the present day necessity for employers to fill in so many books, forms, and returns was to some extent responsible for the reluctance to employ apprentices. It had been advocated that technical and other schools should undertake teaching boys trades, but this, while an ideal, wotild be very expensive. The Leader of the Labour Party (Air H. E. Holland) suggested that in the

event of the bankruptcy of an employer an apprentice should be entitled to a lump sum as compensation on the ground that his contract of apprenticeship had been broken. The Bill provided that in such circumstances the apprentice should be entitled to three months’ wages. Air Holland did not consider this went far enough. The boy was not only thrown out of work, but his term of apprenticeship was broken as well. Air J. S. Fletcher (Grey Lynn) advocated the appointment of representatives of technical schools or similar bodies to the Apprenticeship Committee to hold the balance between employers on the one hand and employees on the other. He did not think a lump sum in compensation would meet the situation to which Air Holland had referred. It would be more important to a boy if arrangements were made that his training should be continued. Mr W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne; said the Alinister should be very guarded in making allowances to apprentices, who might be abusing their positions too much. Provision was made to protect the apprentice up to the date of an offence. Air A. E. Ansell (Chalmers) disagreed with Air Lysnar, and claimed that an apprentice had a right to protection and to appeal. He agreed with Air Fletcher regarding the carrying on of a boy’s trade.

Air Smith, in reply, said it was with the idea of minimising difficulties in apprenticing boys that the method had been brought into operation, and he believed it was operating very well. Replying to Air Holland, he said the object of the clause relating to a bankrupt employer was to make at least some improvement on the present position of apprentices. Continuing, Mr Smith said that power already existed for the appointment of a representative of a technical school to the Apprenticeship Committee. The motion to commit the Bill was agreed to. STOCK AMENDMENT BILL. Aloving the second reading of the Stock Amendment Bill, the Alinister of Agri culture (AL A. J. Alurdoch) said it was designed to include motor vehicles in the provision of the principal Act preventing the unrestricted removal of stock by night. Mr A. Hamilton (Wallace) said the Alinister deserved commendation for bringing the Bill forward. The. advent of the motor lorry had, he thought, materially assisted sheep stealing by night. If necessary the police should be given extra facilities to prevent or to detect the removal of sheep or other stock in the dark hours of night.

The Bill was read a second time. SCAFFOLDING AND EXCAVATION BILL.

Aloving vhe committal of the Scaffolding and Excavation Amendment Bill, the Minister of Labour (Air S. G. Smith) said it gave greater security to those engaged in excavation work. Local bodies and other public bodies were brought within the scope of the Bill. This elause had given rise to a certain amount of criticism on the part of one or two local bodies, but there was no doubt the provision wa. necessary. Objection was raised on the ground that there would be a duplication of inspection in the case of work under the direction of a city engineer. The Alinister pointed out that in most cases, at any rate, the inspection would be delegated by the engineer to a foreman, and for that reason the provision in the Bill, that local body excavation work ihould, like all other excavation work, be under the supervision of an inspector, was necessary. Air R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) said that even if the city engineer did delegate the inspection work it could be presumed he would delegate it to a capable person. He contended that the immunity of such work from accidents in the past indicated that the provision was unnecessary.

The Leader of the Labour Party (Mr H. E. Holland) said it was difficult to understand how any opposition could be raised when a matter of safeguarding life was concerned.

Air R. M‘Keen (Wellington South) said the B ; U would offer great relief to city engineers. The debate on the motion to commit the Bill was interrupted by the rising of the House at midnight.

WELLINGTON, October 3. The House met at 10.30 a.m. PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT. The Alinister of Public Works (Air W. B. Taverner) presented the Public Works Statement, and the Public Works Estimates were transmitted to the House by Governor-General’s Alessage. THE ESTIMATES. The House went into Committee of Supply to deal with the Estimates. Consideration of the. vote of £2,828,141 for the Post Office vote was resumed with further discussion on the amendment by Air Al. J. Savage (Auckland West) to reduce the vote by £lO as an indication that in the opinion of the House salaries in the department should be fixed by the process of arbitration. Mr D. Jones (Alid-Canterbury) said that Air Savage had advocated the settlement of salaries and wages in the department by process’of arbitration, but he had not specified any process. Members would desire a clearer indication of what they were asked to vote for. The Postmaster-General (Air J. B. Donald) said he realised that it would be desirable to place the salaries in the department beyond parliamentary control. He would investigate the methods that had been suggested.

2g The amendment was rejected by 39 to

Air A. Harris (Waitemata) moved to reduce the vote by £9 as a protest against the Government’s failure to give effect to the recommendations of the Al to Z Public Petitions Committee in the cases of L. C. Rains and others (the Auckland telegraph office employees dismissed on charges of divulging information). He asked all members who disapproved of the system of tapping telephones and spying to support the amendment, and he further complained that Cabinet had failed to grant justice to the men concerned.

Air Savage supported the views expressed by Air Harris. Air R. Semple (Wellington East) stated that even if the men had committed an offence, the punishment had been unduly severe. He contended that there was no satisfactory evidence that Rains had committed any offence. The debate on the amendment moved by Air Harris was continued for the remainder of the morning. Mr F. Lye (Waikato) expressed the opinion that a substantial fine would have met the case instead of dismissal. He suggested that the Alinister should undertake that Cabinet’s decision would be reviewed. He could do this without committing himself to a promise that the men would be reinstated.

The House adjourned at 1 p.m. Air P. Fraser (Wellington Central) said it should be clearly understood that the magistrate had not inflicted the punishment. He felt certain that the magistrate had not anticipated that dismissal would follow finding the men guilty.

Mr H.-AI. Rushworth (Bay of Islands) said that to his mind the most important issue before the House was whether the Government had given due consideration to the findings of the Select Committee, and whether it would give due consideration to the findings° of other select committees in future. Air W. E. Barnard (Napier) agreed that the House was entitled to expect greater consideration from Cabinet in view of such a strong recommendation from the Select Committee. After further discussion the amendment was put to a vote and was defeated by 32 to 30. The division list was as follows:— For the Amendment (31). Armstrong Al’Keen Barnard Alacmillan Black Alartin C ar r Alassey Chapman Alunro Dickie Nash, W. b letcher O’Brien Fraser Rushworth Hall . Samuel Harris -- Savage ’ Holland, 11. E. Semple Jordan Sullivan Kyle Waite Langstone Wilkinson Lye Wright M’Combs Against the Amendment (32). Ansell Linklater Atmore APDonald Bitchener Alacpherson Broadfoot Alakitanara Clinkard Munns Cobbe Alurdoch de la Perrelle Nash, J. A. Donald Ngata Endean Polson Hamilton Smith Hawke Sykes Healy Taverner Henare Veitch Hogan Ward Holland, H. Williams Jones Young Pairs. —For the Amendment: Alessrs Parry and Howard. Against the Amendment: Alessrs Stallworthy and Ransom.

The amendment having been disposed of, Air J. A. Nash (Palmerston) asked what the Government was doing to assist B grade broadcasting stations. It was stated that the Government had entered into an arrangement with the Copyright Association for the purpose of protecting the New Zealand Broadcasting Association. There was quite a large number of second grade stations in the Dominion, and new ones were constantly opening up, and they were not welcomed by the Broadcasting Association, If it were possible to put them off the air the Broadeasting Association would do so. The Copyright Association was demanding 4d for every copyrighted item which was broadcast, and as the B grade stations had no income the charge created a great hardship. All they had to rely on was the annual subscription of 5s from listeners-in, and unless they were given some protection they would be compelled to close down because of the copyright charges. . The B grade stations, which had been on the air longer than the YA stations were not permitted to earn any revenue.

Air C. Carr (Timaru) declared that in New Zealand the listening-in license fee was the highest?* in the world, and the service was the worst in the world.

Air C. A. Wilkinson (Egmont) protested against expenditure in the form of a subsidy to the San 'Francisco and Vancouver mail services, and moved that the sum be reduced by £8 as a protest against a continuance of the arrangement.

The Postmaster-General (Air J. B. Donald) said he regarded the charge of 4d for each side of a disc broadcast as outrageous. If it were possible for the Government to do anything to prevent such charges he would be pleased to take such action. He believed that there was room for the B class stations as well as the major stations, and their interests would be conserved in the new regulations which he hoped would be brought into force as well as those of the major stations. Continuing, the

Alinister said he believed we should be getting something better in the way of programmeSj and it was his intention to try and see that that state of affairs was brought about. A new arrangement was being planned, and he believed that when it was introduced the people of New Zealand would be very well pleased with the results. It would take some time to be completed, but it certainly ought to be ready by the time Parliament assembled next year. The Post-master-General added, in. reply to another question, that he felt sure the people, of New Zealand did .not want advertising on the air. Referring to Mr Wilkinson’s amendment Air Donald said the mail services via San Francisco and Vancouver had been valuable, but he agreed that now we were getting better and faster services via Panama canal . the English mail might very well be sent via that route, and he hoped shortly to be able to call tenders with that object in view. He hardly thought it would be possible to do without the San Francisco and Vancouver services, however, but it was another question whether tl.e Dominion should continue to pay as much by way of subsidy. He stated that Canada, Fiji and the Societv Islands also paid a subsidy, while Australia contributed in the form of mail rates. Alt Wilkinson said that in view of the Alinister’s satisfactory reply he wished to withdraw his amendment, and this course was taken.

The Post Office Estimates were still under consideration when progress ut;s reported. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. on Monday.