PARLIAMENT.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18609, 3 July 1930, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 2. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. to-day. New Bills. The Leader of the Council (Sir T. K. Sidey) gave notice to introduce the following Bills:—iloroners Amendment Law Practitioner Amendment Bill, New Zealand University Amendment Bill, Judicature Amendment Bill, Offenders Probation Amendment Bill, and Prevention of Crimes Borstal Institute Amendment Bill. Address-ln-Beply. In moving the Address-in-Reply motion, the Hon. D. Buddo said all looked forward to a long and happy association with His Excellency Lord Bledisloe. He continued that the illness of Sir Joseph Ward was a matter for regret, and they looked to the time when he would be restored. Unemployment was a serious problem, and if they could not find a cure, they could at least do their utmost to find a palliative. There could be no increased production without the assistance of science. He referred to the possibility of increasing the exports of minerals, and urged the development of West Coast mines. He expressed pleasure that it was the Intention of the Government to devote still further attention to land settlement. In seconding the motion, the Hon. Mr Trevithick said he was of opinion that the present depression was largely due to neglect of the land problem in the past, and he congratulated the Government on the efforts it had made to make up leeway. New Zealand should be producing five times the amount It was at present. Much could be done by bringing small holdings to profitable production. In supporting the motion, Sir John Sinclair stressed the need for cooperation in trade, associations in industry, and in politics. Although some time must elapse before the recentlyconstituted industries of the Dominion could stand alone without protection, they should keep Empire free trade as a goal to strive for. There was a strong call to-day for closer cooperation between the political parties. There was no room for a gulf in New Zealand, and the time was coming when people would protest against their interests being made the battledore and shuttlecock of party politics. The debate was adjourned on the motion of Sir James Allen, and the Council adjourned at 3.40 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. to-morrow. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The He use of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Meat Board Bill. Mr W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne) gave notice of intention to introduce a Meat Export Control Amendment Bill. Leave of Absence. Sir George. Hunter was granted one day's leave of absence on account of illness. Bills Introduced. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time:—Census Postponement Bill (Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle), Apprentices Amendment Bill (Hon. S. G. Smith), Scaffolding and Excavation Bill (Hon. S. G. Smith), Nurses and Midwives Registration Amendment Bill (Hon. A. J. Stallworthy), Workers Annual Leave Bill (Mr D. G. Sullivan), Bank of New Zealand Amendment Bill (Mr F. Langstone). When the Census Postponement Bill was introduced, Mr J. McCombs (Lyttelton) said the measure would throw the records out of order- for ali time. Statistics were not only of value to the Dominion, but of value to the whole Empire. The Hon. J. G. Coates asked whether the Bill would have ary bearing on the possible alteration of electoral boundaries.

The Hon. F. A. de la Perrelle replied that that would be so. He mentioned that by not taking the census next year, a saving of at least £25,000 would be effected. Postponement might affect comparative statistics to a certain extent, but not to the serious extent indicated. Replying to Mr R. McKeen (Wellington), the Hon. S. G. Smith said the Apprentices Amendment Bill was designed to give effect to decisions of a recent conference on the subject. The Hoh. A. J. Stallworthy, replying to Mr H. E. Holland (Buller) said it

was his intention to move subsequently that the Nurses and Midwives Registration Amendment Bill should be deferred to the Health Committee of the House.

In introducing the Workers’ Annual Leave Bill, Mr D. G. Sullivan (Avon) said it was designed to provide that all workers should have an annual holiday of fourteen days on full pay. It might be described as “The Sunshine Bill.” He said that while some employers were already carryi’ out voluntarily the provisions of the Bill, there were others who were not doing so, and it was desired to make the practice universal.

Other Labour members urged that the Bill should be allowed to proceed. Mr W. J. Poison (Stratford) expressed the view that the present time was unpropitious for increasing costs by increasing holidays. He was. however, sympathetic with the principles of the BilL

Mr Sullivan replied that it would be found that a similar objection to that raised by Mr Poison had always been voiced on any occasion that such progressive legislation had been introduced. In any case, there was no certainty that the measure would involve an increase. Mr Langstone (Waimarino) stated that the Bank of New Zealand Amendment Bill was designed to restore the full powers of the Government’s representatives on the board of directors of the Bank. Replies to Questions. Ministerial replies to questions were circulated. Replying to Mr C. A. Wilkinson (E'-mont), the Hon. G. W. Forbes said the Government was aware that flour was sold at Auckland at £lB per ton, as against £lO/15/- per ton in Australia, but he pointed out the recommendation of the Wheat Industry Committee last session that the present sliding scale of duties affecting wheat and flour should be continued, had been approved by Parliament. The Hon. G. W. Forbes informed Mr C. Carr (Timaru) that financial exigencies would not permit of any assistance, as sought by various women’s organisations, being granted towards the expenses of delegates to the Pan-Pacific Conference.

Mr Forbes, replying to Mr J. A. Young (Hamilton), said he hoped to make an announcement at an early date on the subject of the proposal that Sir Otto Niemeyer (who will shortly visit Australia on behalf of the Bank of England to consult with the Federal Government on the matter of the exchange problem) should be invited to extend his visit to the Dominion in the hope that something permanent might be done to relieve the burden of exchange as between Great Britain and New Zealand.

Replying to Mr C. H. Chapman (Wellington), Mr Forbes said the rates of exchange between New Zealand and Great Britain were not fixed by Government, but by the Associated Banks operating in the Dominion. The subject, however, was under consideration.

Answering a question submitted by Mr W. J. Jordan, the Prime Minister replied that a suggestion had already been made that the subject of reciprocity in old age pensions might with advantage be included in the agenda of the Imperial Conference, and the Government was in communication on the subject wi*h the Government in the United Kingdom. Mr Forbes, replying to Mr J. O’Brien (Auckland), said inquiries were at present being made in Australia to ascertain whether circumstances connected with the importation of coal from New South Wales were such as to warrant ie imposition of a dumping duty under the Customs Amendment Act. v

In reply to Mr H. M. Rushworth (Bay of Islands), Mr Forbes said the question whether any animal foodstuffs other than bran and pollard could be admitted free of duty, was at present receiving the Government's consideration. South Island Railway. Mr W. J. Poison asked whether, having regard to the financial situation, the Government would apply the same method of investigation to the construction of new railway lines as it was now doing to the working of existing lines, either by widening the scope of the Railway Commission’s inquiry, or by creating an independent Commission for the purpose. Mr Forbes replied that it was not proposed to widen the scope of the Railway Commission of Inquiry, so as to include railway construction. The Commission had been set up to investigate the working of present railways with a view to suggesting methods whereby the position might be adjusted so as to reduce to a minimum the call on the taxpayer to meet railway losses. The Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, replying to Mi- H. S. S. Kyle (Riccarton), who asked for the withdrawal of restrictions on the importation of such domestic birds as doves and pigeons, said that although the main source of psittacosis infection was from parrots and allied species, there was evidence that other birds could contract the disease.

Replying to Mr J. S. Fletcher (Grey Lynn), the Hon. J. G. Cobbe stated that the question of extending the right of appeal in the Police Force was under consideration by the Government. In response to Mr T. W. McDonald (Masterton), Mr Cobbe said it was probable that the Arms Act Amendment Bill, as passed by the House last session, would be re-introduced this session. Mr D. G. Sullivan (Avon) asked the Minister of Defence whether he would, early in the session, introduce legislation giving affect to the recommendations of the Commission contained in the report relating to the rehabilitation of ex-soldiers. The Hon. J. G. Cobbe replied that legislation giving effect to the Government’s proposals, following consideration of the recommendations of the Commission, would be introduced in due course.

The Hon. A. J. Stallworthy informed Mr P. Fraser (Wellington) mat he proposed to take immediate steps to provide suitable and sufficient sleeping accommodation for patients in mental hospitals. There were at present 174 improvised beds being used throughout the Dominion. Proper mattresses and bedding were used in every instance. No attempt had been made to retrench at the expense of inmates. In his answer to a further question submitted by Mr Fraser, the Minister of Health said arrangements were first made in 1918 for medical students to receive instruction in midwifery in St. Helen’s Hospital, and these arrangements had continued since that time. Experience had proved that the training of student doctors in St. Helen’s Hospital interfered in no way with the main purpose for which these hospitals were established, namely as maternity homes for mothers of moderate means, nor in any material degree with the training of midwives. The Government had no intention of allowing this purpose to be changed. The Minister of Labour (Hon. S. G. Smith), replying to Mr P. Fraser, said legislation to extend the rent restriction provisions for a further period would be introduced. The House adjourned at 5.30 till 7.30.