News in Brief

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 191, 13 August 1931, Page 8

News in Brief

Smaller Parliament. “ VVc are over-governed, and should have a reduction in the number of members of Parliament,” declared Mr D. W. Westenra at the annual meeting of the Canterbury Sheepowners’ Union last night, when State economy measures were discussed. The union passed a motion supporting any movement for a reduction in Parliamentary membership. Mr Westenra said that if England had the same ratio of representation as there was in New Zealand she would have a Parliament of about 2300. Relief Workers. At the meeting of the Waimairi County Council last night the clerk (Mr G. S. Cowper) stated that he had received a request from the Mayor of Christchurch that the city’s married men working in the Waimairi County be exchanged for “ two-day ” men. Mr Cowper had replied that the married men were more reliable than the single men and the exchange was not desirable. Mr W. G. Chapman said the county should employ only its own married men. Mr J. Liggins was opposed to the existing gangs being broken up. The opinion was expressed that the request -was made in order to allow the married men to earn los 4d a day. No action was taken. Proposed Change In Boundaries. The request of residents of an area in May’s Road to be included in the city was brought up at last night's meeting of the Waimairi County Council. Mr W. j. Walter said the portion was only a small one of about five acres and was largely residential. The reason for wishing to leave the Waimairi County Council was the lower rates under unimproved value rating and also the better fire protection. It was decided to leave the examination of the boundaries to a sub-committee consisting of Messrs Walter and Cross and to ask that the transfer be not gone on with till 1933, when the necessary adjustments could be made. The Public Service. “ There are many cases of hardship in the Public Service as the result of the salaries and allowances reductions, and it is regrettable, therefore, that some definite pronouncement of its activities has not been made by the Adjustment Committee set up by the Government to review such cases,” states the “ Public Service Journal.” “ Although we have not high hopes of what a committee of this may accomplish, we think, in fairness to the service, that the committee should become fully active without further delay.”