HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13748, 10 September 1908, Page 7

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30. QUESTIONS ANSWERED. Ministers, . replying to questions, stated as follows: , The Classification Board being unable to complete the scheme of classification of the Civil Service for this session, all increases of pay will be dealt with on the Supplementary Estimates.

The Admiralty report on the site for a narboux 4 at Point Elizabeth is unfavourable; the cost of building the breakwater would probably exceed £1,750,000, and from a naval point of view the proposed harbour would be useless.

In connection with the anomalous position in which manufacturers in this country are placed in relation to the Commonwealth customs tariff (whereby we are regarded as a foreign country in the matter of duty) no steps had, been taken to induce the Commonwealth authorities to make an exception in favour of the Dominion; the matter will be one for consideration in connection with reciprocal agreements for mutual concessions.

It is not intended to amend the law so that the Government will he responsible to local bodies for general rates .on unlet sections of land bought by them for the purpose of land for settlement or workmens' homes.

The House adjourned at 5.30 and resumed at 7.30.

At the evening sitting the Education Bill wjts further considered in committee (debate reported elsewhere).