OUR PARLIAMENT.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXI, 12 January 1922, Page 6

OUR PARLIAMENT.

BUSINESS RESUMED. QUESTIONS ANSWERED. Press Assn. —By Tel. —Copyright. WELLINGTON, January 11. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Mr G. Witty (Riccarton) the Hon D. Guthrie said that fit waa, not a fact that over 5000 returned soldiers had made applications for land and that only 1087 were eupplied with land. It always happened that applications were duplicated many times over, and so tlie number of applicants looked greater numerically than was really the case. The discrepancy between the number of applicants and those supplied was sometimes made greater, not by any action of the Government but by the action of Land Boards turning the applicants down as unfit. Replying to Mr W. T. Jennings (Waitomo) the Hon C. J. Parr said that ha was not aware of any proposal to restrict the privileges of pupils who travel on railways free to attend high or technical schools. Replying to Mr E. Kellett (Dunedin North) the Hon D. Guthrie said that care of the injured on railways was provided for. He was not aware that there was a shortage of stretchers and he would look in that point. Replying to Mr Jennings, Mr Massey said that he understood that negotiations for reciprocity with Australia, were proceeding, but he was not yet able to report any finality iu the matter. Replying to Mr H. E. Holland (Buller) tire Hon E. P. Lee said that he would ask the Board of Trade to look into the question of the price that miners have to pay for explosives. Replying to Mr P. Fraser (Wellington) Mr Massey said the Government had the question of unemployment in hand and when the proposals were made public he thought they would be found satisfactory. Replying to Mr Holland the Hon Downie Stewart said that he referred some of the proposed economies connected with fire brigades back to the Cabinet for review. He understood that brigades had entered into certain obligations which could not be met if the full economies were carried out, and he did not wish to put brigades in that position. BUSINESS OF THE SESSION.

Replying to Air Wilford, who asked what would be the order of the business for the remainder of the session Mr Massey said that the Bill, generally known as a “Washing Up Bill,” would come down to-day by Governor’s Message. He understood the Bill was the largest on record. There would be a bill by the Minister of Public Health, and there were several bills now before committee which would have to be dealt with. Next week he hoped to bring down the Government retrenchment proposals. For some time they had been giving effect to economies, but there were some points upon which legislation would be required. The main estimates, also, would have to be finished, which probably would take another two sittings. There would be the Public Works statement and estimates, which would certainly take a day to discuss. After that there would be appropriation. There would also be another Finance Bill. There was nothing startling in it, but it would have to be put through. Replying to Mr Witty, Mr Massey said that this bill did not deal with the proposed meat pool, some of the details of which might have to be supported by legislation. The House would probably be asked to sit on Mondays for the remainder of the session, but he would make an official statement on the Government proposals in the course of a few days. The Hon C. J. Parr gave notice of his intention to introduce the Dentists Amendment Bill. ANIMALS PROTECTION. The House then went into committee on the Animals Protection and Game Bill. Mr J. McCombs (Lyttelton) contended that Clause 10 created a special privilege and class distinction for a land owner. This view was strongly supported by several members, but the clause was passed unamended. Mr C. E. Statham (Dunedin Central) made an effort to give the Minister power to prohibit live pigeon shooting matches on the ground it inflicted unnecessary cruelty. Mr Wilford defended this form of sport on the ground that it was less cruel than many others forms of sport and quoted Mr Justice Chapman in support of this view. The Statutes Revision Committee had carefully considered the' whole question and after hearing evidence decided that pigeon shooting should be regulated not -prohibited. On a division Mr Statham’s amendment to give effect to his view was defeated by 33 to 21. The Bill was reported with formal amendments moved by the Minister. At the evening sitting, after the Local Bodies Finance Bill had been dealt with, the Animals' Protection

and Game Bill, was read a third time and paesed.

BILL BEFORE PARLIAMENT. DIFFERENT PROVISIONS DISCUSSED. WELLINGTON, Jan. 11. The House of Representatives went into committee this afternoon on the Local Bodies’ Finance Bill, the discussion being interrupted by the 5.40 p.m. adjournment. On resuming at 7.30 p.m., Mr J. McCombs (Lyttelton) urged that local bodies should be permitted to borrow up to the full amount of one year’s rates. It often happened that rates could not be collected until the last two or three months of the financial year. Sir J. P. Luke (Wellington) supported the suggestion, and said that the limitation of borrowing by way of overdraft, as proposed in the Bill would greatly hamper the operations of municipalities aad other local bodies. He thought local authorities were quite as careful in the administration of public moneys as the general Government itself. He also advocated an extension of time for the repayment of loans from seven to ten years. Mr T. K. Sidey (Dunedin South), pointed out that the Mortgages Ex. tension Act might be in conflict with the provisions of the Bill. If that Act dd not affect the Bill then he agreed that an extension of time for repayment of loans was reasonable. Mr R. A. Wright (Wellington) supported the Bill as it stood. He said the Bill provided eight months supply which ought to be sufficient. Rates were due in April and if local bodies would only make heroic efforts and pursue a self-reliant policy, they could start each year with a balance in hand, and thus avoid going to the ratepayers for a special loan to meet special needs. The Minister said that the committee had discussed limitation, and had decided that it could not agree to more than two thirds of the amount of the rates. Later he had considered the matter with the Attorney-General, and had agreed to an extension of the amount to threofourths. Provision had also been made to enable local bodies to obtain funds for emergencies, such as floods. Regarding the term of repayment he thought seven years was reasonable. In the clause requiring local bodies to furnish statements of money owing and revenue for the year, it was proposed to alter the Bill to make the statement due on June 30, instead of January 31. Mr G. Witty (Riccarton) thought that local bodies should be empowered to grant a rebate for prompt payment of rates, thus inducing early payment and avoiding the need to go to the bank for an overdraft on which interest would have to be paid. Mr W. A. Veitch (Wanganui), opposed the Bill because he believed it was beneficial only to the banks and against the interests of the people who would have to borrow money from the banks at seven per cent, to pay the rates which would be handed back to the custody’ of the banks without interest. Dr Newman (Wellington) urged that local bodies should pay at least the bank overdraft rate of interest en moneys received on deposit on temporary loan. At 9.15 p.m.. Clause 1 was adopted by 50 votes to 13. On the new’ Clause Via, empowering the Minister to authorise local bodies to raise special loans under exceptional circumstances, Mr Veitch urged that epidemics and unemployment should be added to the list of emergencies so provided for. The Minister said a suggestion of this nature had been before the Public Accounts Committee, which thought it inadvisable to widen the scope of the Bill. So far as epldemies were concerned there was already power, conferred by other legislation, to spend money to deal with epidemics. The Bill was reported with amendments, read a third time, and passed. WASHING UP BILL The Washing Up Bill was introduced by Governor-General’s Message. In reply to a question by Mr Wilford, the Hon. G. J. Anderson, Minister of Labour, said that the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill, to be introduced next week, would provide for .the continuance of the provisions of the Housing Bill, covering the Rents and Tenancies Bill. The Bill was referred to the Lands Committee and the Hou. e rose at 9.45 : p.m.