CUSTOMS AMENDMENT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 186, 7 August 1929, Page 7

CUSTOMS AMENDMENT

HON. COATES GIVES NOTICE [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Aug. 6. In the House! of Representatives this afternoon the Hon. J. G. Coates gave notice of intention to move an amendment to the Customs Amendment Bill when introduced. Notice was given of intention to introduce the following Bills: Wanganui Harbour District Empowering Amendment Bill (Hon. W. A. Veitch); Timaru Harbour Board Loan Bill 1929 (Mr C. Carr); N.Z. Institute of Architects Amendment Bill, 1929 (Hon. R. A. Wright); Petone and Lower Hutt Gas Lighting Amendment Bill (Hon. T. M. Wilford). Replying to Mr J. A. Nash (Palmerston North) Sir Joseph Ward stated that he would be glad to look into the suggestion to set aside an afternoon during the session for members of Parliament to visit the Massey College. Mr W. L. Martin (Raglan) asked the Commissioner of State Forests whether his attention had drawn to an article in an Auckland newspaper headed “Amazing Land Deal. Natives Get £5500. Speculators Want £18,000.” He stated that in the article particulars were given of an agreement between Dr. F. J. Rayner of Auckland and the Hon. K. S. Williams (for the Commissioner of State Forests). He also asked if this was th® same Dr. Rayner who was concerned in a land deal in which the Railway Department paid £27,000 for land which previously cost £3OOO. Hon. W. B. Taverner replied that the matter was sub judice and he did not care to make a statement. The Prime Minister said tfiat the previous Government, not thg present, was concerned in the matter. The following select committee to investigate matters relating to the wheat industry was appointed: Hon. G. W. Forbes, Messrs D. Jones, J. Bitchener, Waite, C. Carr, J. McCombs, J. A. MacPherson, C. A. Wilkinson, H. R. Jenkins and the Hon. J. G. Cobbe. The Otago Harbour Board Empowering Bill (Mr J. W. Munro) was introduced and read a first time. New Standing Orders. The House resumed consideration in committee of the proposed new standing orders. The proposal to prohibit the circulation of newspapers in the House was rejected. A number of formal amendments were adopted and the new standing orders were then agreed to. They come into force as from to-morrow. Sir Joseph Ward tendered the thanks of thg House to the Hon. Sir Charles Statham for the work he had put into ' the revision of the Standing Orders. Sir Charles replying, stated that he hoped the new orders would stand the test. Messrs P. Fraser, J. A. Nash and 8. G. Smith, also expressed appreciation at the efforts of Sir Charles Statham. The Hon. T. M. Wilford paid a tribute to the manner in which the work had been carried out by Sir Charles..