PARLIAMEN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 189, 12 August 1931, Page 8

PARLIAMEN

YESTERDAY’S SESSION TRADING COUPONS BILL REFERRED TO COMMITTEE EVIDENCE TO BE TAKEN [ Per Press Association. ] WELLINGTON, Aug. IL The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Notice was given of intention to introduce the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration. Amendment Bill (Mr Semple). Replying to Mr Fletcher, Hon. S. G. Smith said that the Unemployment Board was doing its utmost with the funds available to provide relief. There were 48,396 registratior at present and the board was expending £50,000 per week, which was the amount of anticipated revenue under the amended act. The Government and board were now considering other proposals for further relief. The New Zealand Institute of Architects Amendment Bill (Mr Wright), was introduced and read a first time. It was then, at Mr Wright’s request, read a second time, pro forma, and referred to the Education Committee. The Honey Local Marketing Board Bill (Mr Jordan), was introduced and read a first time. Mr Henare was granted four days’ leave of absence on account of a bereavement in the family. The Trading Coupons Bill was introduced by Governor-General’s message. Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle said that the bill was on the lines of the measure last session. It provided that gift and cash coupon systems should be allowed to continue until April, 1932. Coupons in packets, etc., issued by merchants or retailers after that date could only be redeemed by cash. There was a provision to meet the case of universal coupons. It had been found that the existing legislation was faulty and the bill provided for its repeal and the substitution of a clause rendering it an offence for any person other than a manufacturer, packer, importer or seller of goods to issue any trading coupons. Mr de la Perrelle added that it was proposed to take considerable evidence relating to the bill and he would therefore ask it to be referred to the Industries and Commerce Committee.

Mr A. M. Samuel said that the bill had been anxiously awaited by a considerable section of the business community and he did not like its operation being postponed until April, 1932. Immediately after its first reading the bill was read a second time, pro forma, and referred to the Industries and Commerce Committee. Beply to P.P.A. Hon. S. G. Smith, in a statement to the House, said that in the report of the Dominion conference of the Protest, ant Political Association it had been stated that objection was taken to the privileges extended to the Roman Catholic Church in the direction of exemptions for priests and Marist fathers and brothers from the payment of the unemployment levy. He declared that it was not correct to that special privileges had been extended to the Roman Catholic Church. There was a special exemption for which provision had been made in the board’s regulations for cases in which members of religious bodies received no salary or income, and who had surrendered all personal property to the church. He said that under this class applications for exemption had been received from the Marist Brothers, Mormon Elders and ministers of the church of the Latter Day Saints. There was no exemption for a man whose connection with a church was merely that of a priest. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THE RAILWAYS MAGAZINE [ Per Press Association. ] WELLINGTON, Aug. 11. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Hon. G. M. Thomson, who asked if the Government proposed to stop the publication of the Railways Magazine in accordance with the Rail way Commission’s report, Sir. T. Sidey said that the matter would come under review when the commission’s findings were being considered. The object was to make the magazine as nearly self supporting as possible. The Council rose at 2.35 p.m. until August 20.