PARLIAMENT.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 23 June 1926, Page 8

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. By Telegraph—Press Association AVELLINGTON, June 22. The House met at 2.30 p.m. / MEAIBERS SAVORN-IN. Mr A r . 11. Potter (Roskill) was sworn in. and signalised his first appearance in’ tho House by presenting a petition from 71,488 persons praying for amendment of tho motor-bus regulations. Messrs \V. S. Glenn (Rangitiki) and R. P. Hudson (Moiucka) were also sworn in. AFFORESTATION SCHEMES. Replying to Air D. Jones (Ellesmere) the Hon. O. J.. Hawkcn (Minister of Agriculture) said he had perused the prospectus of several afforestation companies which were being formed in the Dominion. It was difficult to follow the operations of all these companies in their initial stages, but tho Government had in view the necessity for legislation which will assist in safeguarding the people B money in this class of investment. lAIPREST SUPPLY. By Governor-General’s __ message, the Imprest Supply Bill No. 1 was introduced, and tho Prime Minister claiming urgency, tho Standing. Orders were suspended accordingly. Mr E. P. Lee was appointed Chairman of Committees for the day. Th§ Minister of Finance stated that tho Bill appropriated £2,701,900 for ordinary Government purposes. In reply to Sir Joseph AA r ard, the Minister of Finance said there were no unusual items in the schedule of the Bill, but the amount appropriated for tho Alain Highways Fund was somewhat larger than in previous years. Replying to Air H. E. Holland (Buffer), the Minister said there was no special item for immigration, and so far as unemployment was concerned, it had been decided by the Government not to make provision for this purpose in this Imprest Bill, but to put it into a separate Bill, which would bo brought down shortly. Air Holland: “When do you propose to introduce that Bill?” The Minister of Finance: “As soon as wo get rid of this Biff, this afternoon or this evening if possible. The lion, gentleman will then have his opportunity of discussing unemployment.” , Air T. K. Sidey (Dunedin South) said it was not usual for a member to idebate the first Imprest Supply Bill lat length, because there was a debate following which gave them ample oppor-tunity-to discuss matters at large, but ' there were some matters connected with the raising of loans to which the House was entitled to some information. For instance, no Alinister had stated to the country that we had been raising loans in Australia. AVo bad not been told what rate of interest was being paid for such loans. Five and one half per cent, was tho nominal rate, but what charges had there been, and what exchange had to be paid to transfer tho money to this country. It was impossible for the Advances Department to l-*t out at a. profit money raised on such a rate as the Australian loan, except by assisting the trausurious with money raised at a lower rate. Of that the Alinister of Finance was perfectly well aware. Then there was the question of taxation. They had been promised legislation giving a morp,..equitable incidence, especially in connection, with company taxation, but in spite of recommendations by Commissions, nothing had been done. The Government had all the information, necessary at their hand, and could say exactly how much, taxation could bo remitted. Time was when they did not have this information, but they had it now, and the House was entitled to know what were the intentions of fhe Government on this point. AAffiro they to be told now, or were they to be put off till the Financial Statement came down) 5 He thought they .should have , it. now. AVith the question of taxation there was closely allied the question of unemployment and immigration. Companies were hampered in their operations by taxation, and this produced unemployment. Did the Aiimstei know how many people had been introduced under the immigration scheme Tho Hon. AY. Nosworthy: Every soul of them.” - .. Continuing, Air Sidey said ho doubted this. It was very much a question oT how far excessive immigration had contributed to unemployment, Our tariff was not sufficiently protective to protect our industries, and it was tho duty of the Minister to go into the whole question of our taint, and see that none of our struggling industries aro hampered by importations. The remainder of the afternoon session was occupied by discussion or a motion by the Loader of the Opposition (All- H. E. Holland) expressing dissatisfaction with the. Government ■immigration policy, and its handling o | the unemployment question. of p the "railway workshops were being reduced and amalgamated, and whole men have to be transferred. t«»» town to another, ample notice will be given, and where single men can be transferred, married men mil not " h Imprest Supply Biff, was Dam passed throe..], all the ramnmm- et.„e.

UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF. Tho Local Authorities Empowering Relief of Unemployment Bdl was mtioClU The Prime Minister asked the House to pass tire Bill at that sitting as a “ff® «ll^to '""“oB bud «■» House rose at 1.30 a.m