PARLIAMENT AT WORK.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1924, Page 5

PARLIAMENT AT WORK.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. SAFETY IN THEATRES. MATTER FOR MUNICIPALITIES. By Telegraph.—-Press Assn.—Copyright Wellington, Last Night. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. to-day. Replying, to a question, Mr. Massey said Jt was not proposed this year to observe Dominion Day as a public service holiday. Ministers gave the following answers to other questions:— That it is not likely legislation will be introduced this session for the granting of loans to co-operative syndicates or companies of farmers formed with the object of crushing or burning lime for agricultural purposes. That there is power under the Municipal Corporations Act and under the Fire Brigades Act prohibiting the use of a theatre and olf other buildings unless sufficent safeguards against fire have been provided, which may include the presence of duly qualified firemen or otherwise, for the safety of the persons assembled i n the building. As the matter of providing an attendant at theatres is one which primarily concerns municipalities the question is, in the first place, being referred for the consideration of the executive of the Municipal Association. That six travelling dental engines had been purchased by the Government for the dental hygiene division and that on arrival in New Zealand it was found that these engines were of German make owing to an error on the part of ihe firm supplying them. A further supply of Englishmade engines had been ordered. AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

That the site for the agricultural college for the North Island had not yet been decided upon. Should it be decided to establish the college elsewhere than in Hawke’s Bay the funds of the Howard estate will not be diverted to such establishment.

That the question of the remuneration and superannuation of magistrates is now under consideration.

That the system of appointing secretaries of education boards as returning officers for education board elections has always worked well and there does not appear to be any urgent necessity for a change. That it is not proposed to introduce legislation this session repealing clause 71 of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, which excludes certain workers from the right to obtain awards from the Arbitration Court.

That numerous independent authorities in various countries, including New Zealand, have during, the past few years endeavoured to investigate the “Abrams” system. The reports oil a large number of these investigators have been received by the Health Department and the consensus of opinion is that the claims made are extravagant and unwarranted on the evidence available. Th e medical officers of the Health Department support this opinion. MATERNITY CASES. That the provision of 'accommodation for maternity cases is as much the duty of hospital boards as the provisions of accommodation for general treatment, and capital expenditure thereon would carry the usual £1 for £1 subsidy. The question of the extension of a maternity bonus for the purpose of providing assured treatment in a properly equipped and administered public maternity hospital is one which is at present under consideration.

That realising the impossibility of entirely preventing poaching the department has under consideration a proposal for the leasing olf the rock oyster beds. The outstanding advantages of easing, assuming that the lessees lived in the vicinity of the beds which they leased, would b© that every lessee would be vitally concerned in the prevention of poaching. The question, however, is beset with many difficulties, and before any decision is arrived at the matter will be exhaustively considered, as will also the question of leasing suitable sections of the foreshore where oysters do not at present exist, but where they could be successfully planted. TIMBER FOR POLES. That, the Forest service is now engaged in testing various species of eucalyptus in the Whakarewarewa plantation with a view to ascertaining whether they are suitable for use as pples in hydro-electric reticulation work. It is hoped that by the application of creasote preservative miscellaneous eucalynts can be rendered sufficiently durable for this work, and if so a very substantial reduction in cost can be affected by their use. As soon as the investigation has been completed the results will be made public to power boards and other interested’bodies.

That the position with regard to dairy companies’ advance# is that the banks made advances to these companies upon securities of the factories and a joint and several guarantee off suppliers. Such special securities cannot be regarded by any means as first-class cover. The banks consider a fair rate for such advances at present is 7 per cent., but if companies put their London exchange business through the banks thev get a concession of a half per cent, in the rate of interest charged upon overdraft. This position has been made quite plain to all dairy companies and to a representative deputation which waited on the chairman of the associated banks some time ago. THE MORATORIUM.

The Mortgages Final Extension Bill was read a third time without debate and passed. The Prevention of Crime Bill was also read a third time and passed. The Chattels Transfer Bill was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. THE LAND BILL. On the motion of the Hon. C. J- Parr the House then went into committee on the Land Bill, which was in charge of the Hon. A. D. McLeod. During the committee stage the Minister promised to reconsider a few clauses with a view to making their intention clearer and mitigating the apparent harshness of their terms. Several members protested against the freehold clauses of the Bill, but no division was called for. The Minister promised to go carefully into the question of the revaluation of land in the hinterland of the North Island which was alleged to be “going back.” The remainder of the 389 clauses were passed without amendment, but as the Minister has some amendments to be brought down at a later stage progress was reported on the Jlill. • OTHER BILLS. The House then went into committee on the Police Force Amendment Bill,

which was passed without amendment. The committee then proceeded to consider the Acts Interpretation Bill, which was reported without amendment. The Police Force Amendment Bill and the Acts Interpretation Bill wep then read a third time and passed. The House rose At 11.30 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.