POLITICAL NOTES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16174, 10 July 1923, Page 7

POLITICAL NOTES.

WASTED MONEY: LABOR WORKS AND EXPERTS.

(Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day.

An opportunity was taken by Mr. Wilfoi'd, when the Minister of Marine moved to set up a Select Committee on harbor matters, to point to the tremendous waste of public ‘money through boards undertaking large schemes without proper engineering advice. He was proceeding to advocate the appointment of a Government harbor engineer, when Mr. Speaker pulled him up, ruling that a policy matter could not bo discussed on tho question of the personnel of a committee.

“Well, I will have a try,” smilingly replied Mr. Wilford, who proceeded to enumerate the names of the proposed committee, asking in respect to each what was their probable opinion on this important matter, which involved the expenditure of so much money. The country had invested millions in harbors, and expert oversight was urgently needed. Mr. Speaker again reminded Mr. Wilford he was transgressing standing orders, but by this time the point had been made.

The Hon. G. J. Anderson, Minister of Marine, did not attempt to reply. He simply remarked that when the Harbors Bill was reported from the Select Committee, the matter could be fully disLOANS FROM POST OFFICE.

There was a protest from the Minister of Finance when the funds of the post offices were under discussion, because ho feared undue alarm might be created by false impressions. Mr. Wilford said he assumed that £5,684,000 owing by the Government to the Post Office would be renewed at a meeting of the Minister of Finance and the Postmaster-General. It was simply a renewal of a mortgage. Mr. Massey i; About sixty millions have to bo renewed during tho next six years. About half the sum is owing to, various departments. Mr. Wilford: More than half. Mr. Massey: Very little more. Mr. Wilford: You do not pay back any money to the Post Office. Mr. Massey: No. Mr. Wilford: It is only a book entry. Mr. Veitch urged that Post Office loans should be secured as they fell due, and earmarked for providing housing. Mr. Massey said he regretted questions were being raised about Post Office funds. The Post Office had the assets of New Zealand behind it, in addition to other securities. There were £2,000,000 in liquid securities invested in London, which could be utilised if occasion arose. A ONE-SIDED COMMITTEE. The setting up of a Select Committee to consider any Bill affecting Crown lands wag tho occasion for comment yesterday by the leader of the Opposition, who called the attention of the Hon. It. F. Bollard, Minister of Lands, to tho fact that ho proposed to include six Reformers, two Labor members, and only one Liberal, “because,” added Mr. Wilford, “wo only recognise one name, that of Mr. Forbes, on that list as a Liberal, because ho votes with the opposition on no-confidence motions.”

The other name which had not been enumerated was that of Mr. Witty (Riccarton). The committee was appointed as tho Minister originally proposed, but Mr. Bollard promised to look into the point raised by the leader of the Opposition. NEW BILLS. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night. In the House of Representatives, on tho motion of the Hon. J. G. Coates, tho Akaiana and Waitemata Counties’ Bill was introduced and read a first time and referred to the Local Bills Committee. Tho Minister of Agriculture gave notice of his intention to introduce the Noxious Weeds Amendment Bill, and the Companies Special Empowering Bill. The Minister of Internal gave notice of his intended introduction of the Friendly Societies’ Empowering Bill. The Minister of Justice gave notice of the Justices of the Peaco Amendment Bill. The Minister of Native Affairs gave notice of the introduction of tho Native Land Claims Adjustment Bill. Tho Hon. Downio Stewart gave notice to introduce the Immigration Restriction Amendment Bill and tho Local Legislation Bill. MARINE ENGINEERS.

Tho Hon. G. J. Anderson moved to set up a special committee to which he proposed to refer tho Harbors Bill. Mr. Wilford asked tho Minister if ho had taken any steps to find out the minds of members on the subject o| the appointment of a marine engineer to advise the Government on the subject of millions of money being spent on harbors. He would like to know what policy the Government had on this point. I'he Minister replied that ho had not sounded mombei's on this point. It would be impertinence to do so. When the Bill returned from , committee Mr. Wilford would then seo what they had done on the point of the appointment of engineers.