NOTES FROM THE GALLERY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20057, 21 September 1920, Page 7

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY.

PARLIAMENT DAY BY DAY, DOINGS IN THE HOUSE, (Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON, September 20. STATE RAILWAYS AND AMEIITCAN CRITICISM. Nqw Zealand welcomes advertisement, but not of the kind to which attention was directed by Mr Eraser, and which has received publicity in America in “Leslie's Weekly” of July J. The statement was that striking evidence that G ovemment ownership ot railways did not ensure good service to. tho public-was afforded in “that over-socialised country, New Zealand.” iho transport system, the writer said, ivas reported to be hung up for months because the “ railwayman struck for money which the Government was unable to pay them.” Tho country, in I act, according to the writer’s version, «as being “bled white.” -Mr Massey said they knew the statement was not correct, and ho was rather pleased than otherwise that the hon. member had drawn his attention to it. It was <]uito true that the, railways had been ljung up for ‘several months last year. That, however, was not because ol any strike among railwayman, but on account of the scarcity of coal, which he was informed was brought about by the “go-slow ” policy adopted by the miners. &He did not know whether' it was possible to correct tno statement published in America, for it was very hard indeed to overtake such a thing. “I do not know whether wo are over-socialised,” ho added, “ but I would bo very sorry to say that the State railways system was a failure. 1 do not know that wo ought to go very much further with state ownership.” Dr Thacker: “ Are not you going to contradict tho statement!”’ " rf r .'l I!ISR€ - v: “ Dow am I to do it?” Ur I hacker: “Ohl Get one of tour secretaries to unite a letter.” SKBLETONTC FORCES. Libera] Opposition was for the most jpart mooting m another place to-night u hen tho House of Representatives assembled. hour members represented the party in tho House, and this was not very much less than the Liberal share of tho membership of the House . t 1 0/vemng for all the benches ftcie held by skeleton forces. Mr Mnshis little joke about it when Hr Witty asked him if ho would advise members of tbo business to be dealt with at Monday sittings; so that hose who wished to might g 0 homo loi the week-ends “ Replying to the actmg leader of tho Opposition,” said tho Pnrue ilinister, “I shall bo Tery ... ™ toko his suggestion into consideration and endeavour to giro members notice of business.” BUTTER AND MILK. As milk prices have a direct relation to butter prices, Dr Newman suggested to the Prime Minister to-night that tho question of the supply of cream and wholesome milk, should be referred to tbo committee which is considering tho local price of butter. Mr Massey replied that the committee was so fully occupied that ho could not undertake to refer this mutter to them. Ho realised the intimate connection between milk and butter prices, and if tho opportunity offered he would ask the Butter Committee to take evidence and report on this phase of the subject. LOCAL BODIES’ DEBENTURES. The Premier was asked by Mr Luke Lo-night whether the Government will abandon its proposal in the Land and Income Tax Bill bringing local authorities within the scope of the income tax. Tho questioner said he particularly referred to the taxation of debentures, because this would prejudice , the financial proposals of local bodies. Many persona depended on 5$ per cent interest from these debentures, and it would be a great hardship if they had to have the income tax deduction. Mr Massey replied that ho would give more detailed information later, but he could say that so far as the Government wao concerned it would do nothing unfair or unjust to local bodies. ANTI-DUMPING LEGISLATION. The Premier stated, in reply to Mr Veitch, that when the Crown Law draftsman was able to deal with the matter,: after disposing of new Bills now in hand, he would be asked to draft a Bill to deal with the practice of dumping. WOOL USED IN NEW ZEALAND. The return secured by the member for Wairau (Mr R. M’Callum) shows that the amount of wool purchased by New Zealand woollen companies since the inception of the Imperial Government Requisition, amounted up to the period ending (August 26, 1920, to 82,023 bales, valued at £1,901,776.