LEGISLATION SUBMITTED

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1931, Page 7

LEGISLATION SUBMITTED

LOTTERIES FOR CHARITY ALLOCATION OF PETROL TAX REDUCTION OF INTEREST STATE ADVANCES POSITION By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Notice was given in the House of Representatives to-day of the intention to introduce the War Ministers Profits Bill (Mr. J. McCombs) and the Wellington City Empowering Bill (Mr. C. H. Chapman). On behalf of the Hon. W. B. Taverner the Hon. E. A. Ransom gave notice of his intention to move for the setting up of a select committee to investigate highways finance, particularly the allocation of the petrol tax proceeds to local bodies, the committee to consist of Messrs. Taverner, Ransom, Armstrong, Broadfoot, Campbell, Ciinkard, Hamilton, Healy, MacMillan and Martin. Replying to Mr. A. Harris the Hon. A. J. Murdoch said the question of the introduction this session of the Orchard and Garden Diseases Amendment Bill was at present under consideration by the Government.

Mr. J. S. Fletcher (Ind., Grey Lynn) asked the Prime Minister whether he was aware that the Auckland Savings Bank had decided to reduce the rate of interest on loans and whether the Government would instruct the State Advances Department to take similar steps. Mr. Forbes said the Auckland Savings Bank was in a different position from the State Advances Department, which was lending money at almost cost price. However, the State Advances Board was meeting cases of hardship by extending the term of the loans and thus lightening-the periodical repayments. Introducing the Public Hospitals Assisting Bill Mr. G. C. Black (Ind., Motueka) said it provided for authority for any two or more hospital boards to conduct an art union or sweepstake for the purpose of raising finance. He referred to two factors which, he said, were very much in evidence at the present time. First, it was becoming increasingly difficult for hospitals to obtain adequate finance to carry on as a result of the reduction of subsidies; secondly, for years much money has been sent out of New Zealand by those anxious to take part in sweepstakes in other countries (for instance, Tasmania), and latterly the Irish Free State. He considered the time was opportune to provide that if money must be invested in sweepstakes it should to invest in New Zealand, and there were no better channels for investment than those connected with charity. The Bill contained certain safeguards. Any scheme put forward would be subject to the approval of the Minister of Internal Affairs.

The Bill was read a first time. The Auckland and Suburban Drainage Amendment Bill (the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy) was introduced and read a first time.

The Wanganui Church Acre Amendment Bill was received from the Legislative Council and read a first time.