PARLIAMENT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, 17 July 1930, Page 11

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, July 16. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 to-day. MILITARY TRAINING. Replying to Mr J. A. Nash (Palmerston), the Hon. J. G. Cobbe stated that compulsory military training had been suspended for the present. The Government’s proposals would be fully placed before the House later. ARAPUNI. The Prime Minister (Hon. G. W. Forbes), in a statement to the House, said the Government had arranged to secure the services of a highly qualified engineering expert to report on the Arapuni hydro-electric works. Inquiries had been made through the High Commissioner in London, and also through the president of the Institution of Civil Engineers, as to obtaining the services of a suitable man to investigate the Arapuni trouble. As a result, the Government had decided to appoint Professor P. G. Hornell, of the eminent firm of Swedish civil consulting engineers. This firm had carried out some 400 hydro-electric development schemes, and reported on approximately 2000 schemes totalling 3.500,000 k.w., with heads up to 3000 ft. They claimed to have had experience in the construction of dams on difficult foundations in Sweden, Finland, and Russia, up to 120,000 h.p. The firm was established in 1902, and had over 50 technical experts. Professor Hornell had been a director of the firm for 28 years, and had adjudicated for it on all serious difficulties. He was a member of the Swedish Royal Academy of Scientific and Industrial Research; a Swedish Government expert on the League of Nations Transit and Communications Committee; and chairman of the League of Nations Committee on Water Power Development. Mr Forbes added that he had been advised by the High Commissioner that Professor Hornell would be accompanied by an experienced assistant on his visit to New Zealand, and that the best arrangement for his passage to the Dominion would enable him to leave Southampton on 25th July, arriving at Wellington about 25th August. FIRST READINGS. The following Bills were introduced, and read a first time: —Meat Export Control Amendment Bill (Mr W. D. Lysnar); Births and Deaths Registration Amendment Bill (Hon. P. A. de la Perelle); Industrial and Provident Societies Amendment Bill (Mr H. G. Mason); Evidence Amendment Bill (Mr H. G. Mason), Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Amendment Bill (Mr H. G. Mason), Dunedin Waterworks Extension Bill (Mr J. W. Munro), Shipping and Seamen’s Amendment Bill (Mr H. G. Mason). Explaining his Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Bill, Mr Mason said the Bill was an endeavour to put a wife on an equal footing with a husband in approaching the Courts. When introducing the Shipping and Seamen Amendment Bill, Mr Mason said it dealt with negligence as a cause of injuries and loss of life at Bea, and was largely based on the subject matter of numerous petitions that had been before the House.

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY. The debate on the Address-in-Reply was continued, and on a division being taken the motion of want of confidence in the Government moved by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr J. G. Coates) was defeated by 47 to 24. The House adjourned at 5.30, and resumed at 7.30. UNEMPLOYMENT BILL. After the Address-in-Reply debate had been concluded at the evening session, the Unemployment Bill was introduced by Governor-General’s message. Replying to questions the Hon. S. G. Smith, Minister of Labour, said the Bill did not fully comprise the recommendations of the Unemployment Committee. For instance, the Committee had recommended payment of annual levies amounting to 18/- for every male over eighteen years of age, and 24/- for every male over twenty, as well as a levy payable by females. The Bill did not propose to make any levy at all on males under twenty or lon females,but called for payment, with certain exemptions, by all males over twenty, of a levy amounting to thirty shillings per annum. These payments would be subsidised from the Consolidated Fund. There would be no other sources of finance, and no increased taxation would be involved. The levy of 30/- per annum was irrespective of incomes. Among the exceptions which he had mentioned earlier, were old age pensioners, totally disabled soldiers, and certain members of the Native race (Permanent exemptions) ; persons confined to hospitals, mental and charitable institutions (temporary exemptions); also students attending schools and colleges, and other persons recommended for exemption after investigation of circumstances. An Unemployment Board would be set up, consisting of eight members namely the Minister of Labour, and two representatives nominated by him; two representatives of employers (one from primary industries and the other from secondary

industries); two representatives of workers, and one of returned soldiers (on whom would fall the task of the rehabilitation of maimed soldiers). The Board would be accorded unlimited powers to investigate any avenue with a view to recommending establishment or assistance of any industry in New Zealand. In addition, sub-boards would be created throughout the country for the purpose of finding work for the workless. There would be provision for granting sustenance under certain circumstances, and for a certain period in the event of failure to provide work. Sustenance would not exceed 21/- for the worker, 17/6 for his wife, and 4/- for each child. As females, and also males under twenty, were not called on to contribute to the scheme, they would not be entitled to the sustenance allowance. There was an exception in the case of females, allowance being made to wives of unemployed men and to housekeepers where necessity for upkeep of a home warranted it.

Mr Smith stated that it was intended to take the second reading as early as possible, after which the Bill would be referred to a Special Committee, before which anyone who wished would be welcome to give evidence. It was the Government’s desire that the Bill should be placed on the Statute Book in form as near to perfect as possible, and every reasonable amendment would be given full consideration. The Government would endeavour to meet every reasonable request for information in regard to the Bill, or in regard to the position of unemployment in New Zealand generally. The Prime Minister, replying to the Leader of the Opposition, said he desired that the debate on the Bill should take place as soon as possible. He proposed that the House would discuss the education report tomorrow, then proceed with the second reading of the Unemployment Bill on Friday; continuing on Tuesday and Wednesday of week. He hoped to be able to bring down the Budget towards the end of next week.

The Unemployment Bill was then read a first time.

The House rose at 10.25 p.m. till 2.30 to-morrow.