PARLIAMENT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19299, 28 September 1932, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Bv Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, September 27. The House of Representatives met at t 2.30. Commercial Trusts Act. A number of petitions were presented. asking for the removal of tobacco, cigars and cigarettes from the schedule of the Commercial Trusts Act, 1910. Local Bills. Mr J. W. Munro (Dunedin N.i, gave notice of intention to introduce the Otago Harbour Board Empowering Bill. House to Sit Till Midnight. Mr FOrbes gave notice of intention to move that for the remainder of the session, the hours of sitting be from 2.30 to midnight, from Tuesdays to Fridays, inclusive. British Immigration. The. Leader of the Opposition (Mr H. E. Holland) asked whether any arrangements had been made to bring British immigrants to New Zealand, either immediately or at some future date. Mr Coates said the agreements made with the British Government were trade agreements, and would be placed before Parliament. Mr Holland: “There is nothing relating to. immigration 9" Mr Coates: “No.” Increase of Pensions. Mr W. E. Parry (Auckland) asked whether, in view of the emphatic decision at Ottawa (which was endorsed by the Prime Minister) that prices must be raised, the Government would take the necessary steps to amend the legislation relating to pensions, and not only restore the reductions made last session, but also consider the granting of increases. He said it was considered by eminent authorities that this was the most effective way of raising prices. Mr Forbes said it was not intended to introduce legislation on the lines indicated. Book-makers Bill. The Gaming Act Amendment Bill (Mr H. T. Armstrong) was introduced and read a first time. In explaining the Bill. Mr Armstrong said the main object was to license book-makers, with a view to controlling a pretty bad business which w r as going on In New Zealand at the present time. People who were not licensed were getting the lion's share of betting. The Bill only asked that New Zealand be brought into line with other countries. When book-makers had been licensed previously, New Zealand had had an undesirable experience. but the fault had been in control, which had been in he hands of Racing Clubs. The Bill proposed that a licensing committee should be set up, with the Chief Stipendiary Magistrate of Wellington as chairman. That committee would have complete control of book-makers New Zealand had relatively more book-makers than any other country in the world, yet it was one of the few countries in which they were not licensed. While totalisator receipts were dwindling, bookmakers were looking just as prosperous as ever, and it was difficult to understand why they were allowed to operate without paying something for the privilege. Departmental Reports. The remainder of the afternoon was occupied in discussion of Departmental papers. Immigration Advertisement, Replying to the debate on the »e----port of the Immigration Department, tne Minister (Hon. J. A. Young) gave an assurance that no fresh contracts were being made in respect to immigration. It was true that one or two people had been entering the country, but in these cases entrance had been gained under old contracts. The Minister added tnat he had written on several occasions to the High Commissioner regarding advertisements in British papers on the subject of emigration to New Zealand, and had pointed out that the advertisements were published without authority. Mental Hospitals. Replying to the discussion on the report of the Mental Hospitals Department. Mr Young said the administration system in New Zealand compared favourably with anything else in the world, but like other countries, New Zealand was faced with difficulties in the way of finance. There were many cases which it might be considered could be more satisfactorily dealt with in institutions other than mental hospitals. Legislation had been passed for the provision of rest homes, but this would require a great deal of money. He had no doubt that the Government would be only too happy to provide rest homes when the money was available. The Minister said it was a matter for gratification that there was no longer any stigma

attached to treatment in a mental institution. Relatives of people in institutions need no longer have any misgivings on that score.

The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m