PARLIAMENT

Southland Times, Issue 18933, 21 September 1920, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

I MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20. | j HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. i i (Per United Press Association.) 1 WELLINGTON, September 20. | ' The House met at 7.30. I PAINTERS' HEALTH BILL. 5 t t i MR VEITCII gave notice of his intention 3 i to introduce the Painters’ Health Protec- | tion Bill. j LOCAL BODIES DEBENTURES. 3 ; Replying to Mr G. F. Luke (Wellington 9 | North!, who asked the Premier whether he 3 was prepared to abandon the proposals in S • the Land and Income Tax Assessment Bill | ! to tax debentures issued by local bodies, as 3 [the proposals of the Government were calS i ciliated to interfere with the finances of 3 ; such bodies, it being scarcely possible to g ! raise money at 5j per cent, if the income | I from those debentures were to be subject 9 I to the proposed taxation, s ; MR MASSEY said he was scarcely prea i pared to give a final answer to the question | ! on such short notice, but nothing unfair or | unjust to local bodies would be done. He j would answer the question later on. i PRICE OF MILK. I Replying to Dr Newman, MR MASSEY said that if the Butter Committee had time to do so, after (hey had dealt with (he business referred to them by the House he would ask them to take into consideration the ! question of the price of milk sold in the dominion. PREVENTION OF DUMPING. Replying to Mr Ycitch, MR MASSEY said that as soon as the law draughtsman S could be spared for the task he would be I asked to prepare legislation for the prej vent ion of dumping. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. S Ministers gave the following amongst \ oilier answers to questions put by members, 3 and the House then proceeded to discuss I them : 3 j Thai it would be an improper action on 3 j the pari of the Government to interfere in a j any way with industrial disputes in another a j country, as in the case of Broken Hill. ‘5 | There is nothing so far to prevent any ij | person from rendering assistance to the S workers mentioned so long as the assistance is given by him voluntarily and not under ‘•v coercion. ■ss That all wool at present held in New $ Zealand is the property of the Imperial Government, and the sale and disposal of = the same is wholly in the hands of the Imperial authorities. The New Zealand Government will he pleased to assist woolgrowers in the marketing of the 1020-21 clip wherever possible, and it has already made inquiries and is taking steps towards that end. That a general increase in pay will be granted to those temporary employees who have severed connection with the service since April 1 last. Such employees should, however, make application to the heads of _ ! the departments concerned, as in many J cases their present whereabouts are tin- | known. j That inquiries are already being made ) into tin 1 question of enabling the Arbilraj tion Court to make cost of living bonuses immediately operative throughout the whole or any part of the dominion. Respecting the second part of the question, it is not I deemed expedient to interfere with the disj cretion of the Court in such matters.

That it is recognised that provision should, he made for inspection by Government officers of bridges, tramways, and skids used for sawmilling purposes in the present State forests. i'he Act does not confer the authority required. An amendment of the Tramways Act is under the consideration of the Government making provision frrt- inspection and control of such tramways and bridges. That a bill to amend the existing Noxious Weeds Act is now in the, hands of the law drafting officers, and this, though not specifically providing for the setting up of local boards, should give a more effective measure of control of weeds, than the Act as it now stands.

That it is the intention to make use of private companies for a thorough test of the carriage of mails on approved routes. That as soon as the organisation of technical schools in general has reached a stage which would warrant the step, it is intended to substitute for the capitation principle a more direct and comprehensive method of payment which will place technical schools in a more assured financial position. That it is not considered necessary to introduce legislation to prevent or make difficult the sending of money from New Zealand to the proposed Australian Stale lotteries. as the present law is sufficient to meet such position. The matter will, however, be carefully watched by the Government.

That it is hoped to introduce an amendment of the Animals Protection Act this

'['hat the Amokura lias hern and will continue to he used purely as a civil trainin'; ship for youths for the mercantile marine. The Chatham is neither replacing the Amoi.nra nor has she any connection with the letter. The training of hoys of both races for the New Zealand Naval Division will he commenced on the Philomel nad will he comoh teil on the Chatham, That it is not considered advisable to arrange for investirration of any further applications that may lie made for the New Zealand War .Medal. LOCAL PILLS. The fallowing local Bins .were put through :dl stapes and passed: —Tauranpa Harin.or Board Empowering Kill (Hon. Sir William Hemes', Waiinakariro Harbour District Empowering and Amendment Kill (Mr W. .lones', Now Plymouth Recreation and Racecourse Reserve Bill (Mr S. G. Smitlii, Whakatane Harbour Amendment Bill (Mr Hockley', Christchurch Tramway District Bill (Mr Isilt'. The House rose at 0.41 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.