BUSINESS IN PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, 11 July 1929, Page 15

BUSINESS IN PARLIAMENT

NEW MEASURES INTRODUCED. STATE ADVANCES INTEREST. Ry Telsgraoh—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Mr. H. M. Rushworth gave notice in the House of Representatives to-day of his intention to introduce a Swamp Drainage Amendment Bill. Sir Joseph Ward, replying to Mr. W. E. Barnard, said the rates of interest charged on State Advances Department loans were 6| per cent, and 6J per cent, and were subject to a rebate of J per cent, for prompt payment. These rates were lower than could be obtained elsewhere on similar security. When the opportunity came the question of revision of these terms would be considered.

The following Bills were introduced and read, a first' time: Workers’ Compensation for Accidents Amendment Bill (Mr. E. J. Howard), Compulsory Military Service Repeal Bill (Mr. W. J. Jordan). Mr. G. Black, -speaking to the presentation of the statement of receipts and expenditure of tho Valuation Department, urged that the officers of the department should make a personal inspection of every security. He suggested provision should be made in the education system for the training of competent valuers. Messrs. C. H. Clinkard and T. W. McDonald suggested there should be one system of land valuation for both taxation and mortgage purposes. Mr. McDonald further suggested there should

be one basis, namely, productivity, fox’ the valuation of land throughout the Dominion. The sale price of land was not always its true value. Mr. G. W. Forbes, in reply, said there would always be differences of opinion on the valuations of property. He considered actually there was only one system at present. Productivity would not be a satisfactory basis for valuation, as productivity often depended on the ability of the farmer. So far as the education of valuers was concerned he thought practical experience was the most suitable training. Mr. J. G. Coates, speaking to the presentation of the League of Nations report, asked whether provision had been made for representatives of New Zealand to attend the International Labour Conference at Geneva. Mr. H. E. Holland remarked that the Prime Minister had provided an opportunity this year, but for some reason the organisations concerned had been unable to accept. He and other members of the Labour Party requested that in-

■ formation concerning the contents of • such important papers as the League ! of Nations report should be given to I the House so that they could be ade- ■ quately discussed. i Sir Joseph Ward, in reply, said there

was not sufficient time to arrange for representatives of New Zealand to attend the conference this year. He hoped representation would be possible next 1 year. The present paper contained no information of a vital nature. Had that been the case he would have informed the House of the important features.

The Hon. J. G. Cobbe presented the report of the Immigration Department. Sir Joseph Ward and Mr. Cobbe, in reply to Mr. McDonald, both stated there was no relaxation in the restrictions against immigration, as the Government realised any slackening in the policy would add to the difficulties of the unemployment problem.