PARLIAMENT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXIV, Issue 17694, 21 October 1919, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

(Per I^ess Association.) WELLINGTON, October 20.

The House met at 7.30 p.m

Mr. Massey gave notice that on next sitting day he would move that the House gives its assent to the agreement made between the Imperial Government, the Federal Government of Australia, and the Government of New Zealand regarding tl. c administration of Nauru Island. In reply to Mr. Wiltord, the Premier said the agreement would be printed and circulated. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. ""Replying to Mr. Poland < Mr. Massey said all soldiers' gratuities would be" paid before Christmas. Replying to Mr. Witty, Mr. Massey said he would consider the question ol! repealing the "anti-shouting" clause. He had heard all over New Zealand that the clause v/as a farce. Replying to Mr. Holland, Mr. Massey said there was a shortage of ships on the New Zealand coast suitable for carrying coal, but they were endeavouring to remedy that as soon as possible. Replying to Mr. Poole, Mr. Massey said he would ask the Board of Trade to inquire into the reason why rice was being sold at od per lb. in Fiji while from 7d to Sd was being paid in New Zealand. In doing this, Mr. Massey said it must be remembered that it was much easier to supply a small population than it was to supply the New Zealand population. Replying to the Hon. Myers, Mr. Massey said he did not think it was possible to set up a committee chosen from both sides of the House to consider and report on Lord Jellicoe's memorandum on naval defence. The information given in the confidential report could not, of course, be disI closed to any committee. Replying to Mr. Holland, Mr. Massey said he was inquiring into the legal position under which people were being turned out of their houses pending the accomplishment of the Government's housing scheme. IiUMICE LANDS- DEVELOPMENT. On the motion of the Hon. Ngata, the Pumice 'Lands Development Bill was read a first time. ' In moving the introduction of the j Bill, Mr. Ngata said one of the great problems before the people of the Dominion was how to Increase, the i country's production. The success achieved in connection with draining' the Hauraki Plains was an inspiration in this respect, and if the Government concentrated on the pumice lands as they had done on i the Hauraki Plains there could be j only one answer to the question: j "Are these pumice lands worth, de- j veloping?" He quoted expert opinion to show that, with cheap transport and cheap manure, there were there the elements of ■ fertility Which could be quickened by proper treat- j ment. There were five million acres , of pumice land in the Taupo district, ■ in which there were great timber and j hydro-electric possibilities. The keynote to the development of this country was concentration, viz., the employment of a special;' staff, and special-machinery, as wasjbeing done in the case of the Hauraki Plains.

Mr. Jennings spoke of -what had already been done in proving the fertility of pumice lands.

Mr. Young advocated that a committee of the House should be appointed to investigate the possibilities of the scheme outlined by Mr. Ngata on the lines of the Industries Committee. This, he thought, would be more effective than a Royal Commission.

Mr. Forbes emphasised the need for one department being given control of the scheme.

Mr. Anderson recommended the construction of light railways through the pumice disfcicts, so rendering large areas available for settlement. The Bill was read a first time. NATIONAL PROVIDENT FUND. The National Provident Fund Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor's message. Hon. Herries explained that three important matters in the Bill were raising friendly societies' maternity bonus to £G, raising the amount which a participant could earn from £250 to £300; and raising the age of a participant from 45 years to 50. The rest of the Bill was of a purely machinery nature. RECOMMITTED. The Official Appointment and [Documents Bill was recommitted for i'the purpose of inserting a final ■amendment. On the motion of the I Minister the amendment was agreed to and the Bill read a third time and passed. PUBLIC HEALTH1 AMENDMENT. Mr. Massey moved the second reading of the Public Health Amendment Bill. He explained that the Bill was almost entirely departmental in nature, and was intended to meet cases which arose during the recent epidemic and to meet the recommendations of the Epidemic Commission. The Bill was read a second time without discussion. IN COMMITTEE. The Hoiise went injto committee on the Public Health Amendment Bill, Chattels Transfer Amendment Bill, Public Authorities (Party Wall) Empowering Bill. CHATTELS TRANSFER AMENDMENT. The Chattels Transfer Amendment jßill was put through committee uiijamended, except that the Minister {moved, and it was agreed to that jclause 2'J of the original be repealed. PUBLIC AUTHORITIES EMPOWERING. The Public Authorities Empower-

Beautiful ana interesting ht, the whole river is the part from the Houseboat down to Pipiriki is the best of nil. The great walls close in, rising sheer fiom the water's edge. Surmounting them are stately .hills, whose tree crowned crasts rise to lass the heavens, and over all is spread a glorious mantfc sl: vegetation. Such veaJth of foliage, such harmonious blending of colours wuc'j in* gmticence is di&playsd. The piraire 16 perisct, & scenio master* piece.